Hand-painted wine glasses make perfect gifts. After all, not only do they make beautiful display items and centerpieces, but they also serve a practical purpose. Due to its popularity as gift items, it is now every easy to find a shop that makes custom-designed wine glasses. However, if you want to spend less and put more thought on your gift, the best route, of course, is to make your own hand-painted wine glasses.
Hand painting wine glasses may seem intimidating at first, but it is actually very easy once you get down the technique. Here are some tips on hand painting wine glasses:
Start with a clean wine glass. Before putting paint on your wine glass, make sure to first clean the glass thoroughly. Wash it with soap and water, and dry with a lint-free towel. To make sure that there are no streaks, dirt or fingerprint left on the glass, soak a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol or vinegar and rub it on the surface of the glass (including the stem if you intend to paint that part as well). Allow to dry.
Think of a design. If painting is not your forte, you can try printing out or sketching a design on a piece of paper or tissue – this will serve as your guide. Tape the paper to the inside of the glass, with the design facing out. This way, you will have a guide as you paint. If you intend the wine glass to be used rather than just displayed, cover roughly two centimeters of the rim with tape so as not to get paint on the area. Modify your design accordingly.
Choose a good paint. When choosing a type of paint for your hand-painted wineglass project, your best bet, of course, is food-grade non-toxic paint. Also, make sure to choose a type of paint made specifically for glass painting (e.g. enamel and certain brands of acrylic paint). Consider the finish, as well (i.e. whether you want a paint that dries transparent, opaque, or frosted).
Start coloring in your design. Painting on glass is no different from painting on other surfaces, so feel free to experiment with different styles and techniques. If you’re working with geometric patterns, you might find it helpful to use masking tape as a stencil. For intricate patterns, you can try using a toothpick instead of a paintbrush for more control.
Set the paint. Setting the paint on wine glasses involves a two-step process. First, allow the paint to air dry for at least 24 hours. Make sure that you let the paint dry in a place where no moisture and dirt accumulate. Second, “bake” the wine glass to set the paint. Before setting the paint with heat, make sure to first read the setting instructions on your paint bottle. Follow the instructions and specifications therein as different paints have different setting methods.
Although hand-painted wine glasses look intricate, making your own is actually quite easy. The tips above are guaranteed to make your hand-painting project easier and more enjoyable.