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How to Turn Boring Reading Glasses into a Work of Art

Video tutorial sharing how she turned cheap boring reading glasses into works of art!

It’s an honor and privilege to be able to age and grow older.  Now I need reading glasses with my contacts…and the reading glasses were less than exciting.  I bought several cheap pairs and they just looked blah.  I had to find a way to embrace them…so I turned to the rainbow and transformed these into wearable art in the video below.

Video tutorial sharing how she turned cheap boring reading glasses into works of art!

These are super cheap plastic glasses so I needed some paint that would stick to a non-porous surface. Vintaj Patina are officially for metals, but I thought they’d do a great job on plastic.  And they did- stuck wonderfully to the plastic!

Video tutorial sharing how she turned cheap boring reading glasses into works of art!

Here’s what they look like all finished.  My $3 reading glasses are now something I look forward to wearing instead of avoiding!

Video tutorial sharing how she turned cheap boring reading glasses into works of art!

In the video, I wear gloves.  Why? This stuff really sticks to hands and does not wash off easily with soap and water.  But what will take it off is rubbing alcohol.  So I have some Qtips and rubbing alcohol on standby as I create just in case any of the Vintaj Patina goes where I don’t want it.

Watch How to make plain reading glasses colorful on YouTube.

This aging stuff could actually be fun…as long as I can work the rainbow into it!

{ 19 comments… add one }

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  • Carmen ,

    How fun, Carolyn!! I’m going to do the same and see what my friends have to say!

    Carmen

    • Hope you’ll share what you create Carmen! Would love to see them!

  • Cathy B ,

    Pretty dang cool Carolyn. Never in a million years would I have thought of this one. Love it! TFS! :0)

  • Kathy Gledsdale ,

    How gorgeous I love them.

  • Bernice ,

    Beautiful result!
    You have the coolest ideas.

  • Deanna Mears ,

    Love your videos, Carolyn! You are so inspiring. Thanks for getting me hooked on Hello printing. (You allowed me to play at Artiscape last month.) Deanna -the old lady with the red camera. ?

  • Deanna Mears ,

    Love your videos, Carolyn! You are so inspiring. Thanks for getting me hooked on Gelli printing. (You allowed me to play at Artiscape last month.) Deanna -the old lady with the red camera. ?

  • zsuzsa karoly-smith ,

    Brilliant idea! It should be patented! That colourful design suits you and makes so much difference!

  • Ann ,

    Awesome video. Thoroughly enjoyed it and love your enthusiasm

  • Mary ,

    Carolyn, you are the bomb! Cannot wait to paint my eyeglasses. I have often thought most reading glasses are not very sexy/artsy, but now….

  • gabriele ,

    Love the glasses! – shows lots of originality as well as the ability to laugh at it all.
    gabriele

  • Hi. I love your colorful glasses but you might want to look at Michaels and dollar stores for glasses. I have about 30 pairs of glasses in all sorts of colors some from Michaels. And I have three striped ones from Amazon that came with three pairs and different stripe patterns.

    Mind you original ones are great. But if you can’t afford the paint here or If you misplace them and need to be out and about without painting, this is a good idea.

  • Cindy ,

    Cute idea! I have alot of paint but none of THAT paint. I wonder what other kind would work… hmmmmm….

  • What a cool idea! LOVE how they turned out!
    I’d be interested to know in a month or so how they’re holding up – If you think of it, pop in an update. Thanks!

  • Just like you I need reading glasses. I love this idea and I will be giving it a try myself. Thank you so much for sharing a great idea.
    God Bless,
    Cat

  • c ,

    You really are the most innovative person, Carolyn. You come up with the most unexpected creative ideas. Your glasses are amazing. I am not sure if I would have the courage to wear them but you certainly have given me the seed of an idea. I thoroughly enjoy your delightful blog.

  • I have thought about painting my reading glasses with acrylic paints. Would that stick?

  • Sj ,

    How well did it last? Did it scratch off or peel off? I want to soften a pair of $500 prescription glasses that I got that is a burgundy color that I am just not loving at all. The frames are quite chunky which I do love. I was thinking about using either glitter or rhinestones to soften the color, but then started thinking about epoxy resin to change the color of them?

  • Senica ,

    How do I get the paints.