How To Create A Beautiful And Unique Decorative Bowl

October 31, 2022February 28, 20235 Comments

Dixie Belle Paint sponsors this post.

A few weeks ago, I decorated a pumpkin with transfers, and boy, was that fun! I hardly finished before I already started planning what I could do next with one of the other new transfer designs.

I immediately started looking for an inexpensive vase or bowl that I could turn into a beautiful decorative piece.

Stephen And I were making the rounds at a few thrift stores recently, and when I saw this glass bowl, I knew it would be perfect for this project.

The bowl is a great size! Six inches high and 13 inches in diameter, it is perfect for a decorative bowl that can be used as a centerpiece on a dining table, kitchen island or coffee table.

Prepping for Painting

Slick Stick was the first thing that came to mind when I planned how to decorate the bowl. It is the perfect primer when you want to paint glass, mirror, or any surface you can’t scuff with a light sanding.

painting a huge glass bowl with Slick Stick

As recommended, I painted two layers of Slick Stick about three hours apart and let it dry and cure overnight.

Painting The Bowl

With my last paint order, I got a few colors in metallic paint. I ordered these with Christmas decorations in mind, but they are so gorgeous I could not wait to try one out. I picked the color Steel Magnolia for the base color of the bowl. It is a beautiful champagne color somewhere between gold and silver.

The metallic paint is very different from the chalk and silk paint; as you can see, it did not look great with only one coat. It took three coats to cover the primer completely and without streaks. It also takes a lot longer to dry.

With the bowl fully painted and cured overnight, it was time for the part I’d been looking forward to the most – applying the transfers! The new Balance Transfer with koi fish and pond lilies has been on my mind since I finished the pumpkin project!

Applying Transfer Images

Planning the layout of the transfers on the bowl was more tricky than expected! Why on earth do I keep choosing curvy objects to apply transfers to?!

While working on the outside of the bowl, I had to put it on my lap, pressing the opening up again the table to keep it in place. It was easier to work on the inside, but I had to do small sections at a time to work with the curve.

As usual, I had way too much fun, and I may have gone a bit overboard on the inside using as many fish and lily pads as possible!

A One-of-a-kind Decorative Bowl

A decorative bowl decorated with transfers seen from the outside

Here you can see a close-up of the outside of the bowl. I usually sand any brushstrokes smooth after the final coat, but since this is metallic paint, it will dull the shine.