TL;DR
Get furniture and decor delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
A DIY project featured by Hunker shows how The Hack Club transformed a clear glass cylinder vase into a black-and-gold decorative piece using gold leaf, Mod Podge and spray paint. Hunker says the Dollar Tree vase used as the main component cost $1.75; the finished look and the price may vary with materials and availability.
The Hack Club’s gold-leaf vase DIY, featured by Hunker, turns a plain clear glass cylinder into a black-and-gold decorative piece using materials applied to the inside. Hunker identifies a $1.75 Dollar Tree vase as the project’s main component, though the method can also be used with another clear vase that has a wide enough opening.
The design begins with a clean, dry glass container. The creator spreads Mod Podge across the inside bottom third of the vase, shaping the upper edge of the adhesive with points and curved lines rather than making a straight band. Gold-leaf sheets are pressed onto the adhesive, and a brush removes excess foil. The vase can be viewed from outside to judge the pattern, with more leaf added where needed.
After the gold leaf is in place, the creator sprays the inside of the vase with paint. Hunker says the original uses black spray paint for a modern contrast and advises choosing paint formulated for glass. The paint should be applied carefully so it does not dislodge the foil, then allowed to dry before faux flowers or decorative stems are added.
The materials and design are flexible, according to the report. Cream paint could replace black, while blue, rose-gold, silver or antique-gold foil can change the color scheme. Hunker also suggests optional exterior details, such as metallic ribbon or gemstones. Those additions are alternatives, not required steps in the pictured makeover.
A Low-Cost Vase Gets a New Look
The project offers a practical example of reusing an inexpensive glass container rather than buying a finished decorative vase. Its appeal lies in changing the appearance of a basic cylinder with craft supplies and a relatively simple sequence of steps. The $1.75 figure refers to the vase cited by Hunker, not the total cost of every material or the cost of a finished piece.
For readers considering the DIY, the approach also allows changes to fit existing decor: foil coverage, paint color and optional embellishments can all be adjusted. The source does not report measured savings, durability testing or reader results, so the project should be understood as a design idea rather than evidence that it is cheaper or longer-lasting than store-bought alternatives.
Products Worth Considering

Sonos Era 100 SL Compact Microphone-Free Speaker – Black

Bose TV Speaker Compact Soundbar with Bluetooth and HDMI-ARC, Black

Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) Portable Bluetooth Speaker, Black
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
How the Gold-Leaf Method Works
Hunker presents the makeover as one option among ways to upgrade clear glass vases. The technique places the decorative materials on the interior surface, leaving the outside glass as the visible finish. The wide opening of a cylinder matters because it gives the maker room to apply adhesive, foil and paint inside; Hunker says other clear vases can work if their openings are large enough.
Gold leaf is sold in sheets, and the report notes that some kits include adhesive and varnish. The creator instead uses Mod Podge, so a maker who already has decoupage glue may only need foil sheets. Hunker says only a few sheets are needed for this project, but does not provide a complete materials list, exact quantities or a step-by-step time estimate.
“The main component is a $1.75 clear glass cylinder vase from Dollar Tree.”
— Hunker, describing the vase used in the project
Costs and Durability Are Not Reported
The report does not give a total materials cost, a full shopping list, drying times or information about how well the finish holds up with regular use. The $1.75 vase price is the figure cited for the main component; prices and stock can vary by store and location. Hunker mentions a gold-leaf set priced at $14, but that is one example product rather than a required purchase or a confirmed current price.
It is also unclear whether the finished vase is intended to hold water. Since the project uses foil, adhesive and spray paint inside the glass, the source does not establish that the interior is waterproof, food-safe or suitable for fresh flowers. Its suggested finishing use is with faux florals or stems; readers should not assume the piece can safely hold water unless product labels or the maker provide that guidance.
Choose Materials Before Starting
Anyone recreating the look can begin by checking that the vase is clean, dry and wide enough to reach inside, then select foil and spray paint intended for glass. The design can be tested with a modest amount of foil before adding more coverage. Follow the manufacturers’ directions for the adhesive, foil, paint and drying time, and work with spray paint in a suitable, well-ventilated area.
The source does not announce a follow-up, product launch or further update. The next steps are left to the maker: allow the finish to dry as directed, add faux stems if desired, and decide whether optional exterior accents suit the piece. Its final appearance will depend on the vase, materials and pattern chosen.
Key Questions
What does the DIY use?
The project uses a clear glass cylinder vase, Mod Podge, gold-leaf sheets and spray paint. Hunker says the original design uses black paint; faux stems are added after the finish dries.
How much does the vase cost?
Hunker says the Dollar Tree vase used as the main component cost $1.75. The article does not give a total project cost, and store prices or availability may vary.
Can a different vase be used?
According to Hunker, another clear glass vase can work if its opening is wide enough to apply the foil and paint inside. The report specifically describes a cylinder as a convenient shape for the method.
Can the finished vase hold water?
The source does not say that the interior finish is waterproof or suitable for holding water. It suggests using faux florals or stems, so readers should not assume the vase can hold fresh flowers and water.
Source: hunker.com
