If you have been a follower of Mad in Crafts, you know how much I love a good mess-free sparkle. Enter Dragonfly Glaze. This stunning product is a top coat that gives your paint projects a magical, color-shifting finish. I was sent the full line to play with (pinch me!), and I tested them all out on some inexpensive dollar store candles. Keep reading if you want to find out how to use Dragonfly Glaze to give your craft projects a one-of-a-kind sparkle!
HOW TO USE DRAGONFLY GLAZE
What is Dragonfly Glaze?
Dragonfly Glaze is a multi-surface top coat that can be used over other paint colors to give them a gorgeous color shifting, shimmering finish. The colors shift depending on the angle of the light making them look something like the body of a dragonfly (hence the name!). The iridescent finish looks amazing on rounded surfaces (like these candle holders) since you are viewing the glaze from different angles in one glance.
What Colors are Available in Dragonfly Glaze?
The glaze consists of color-shifting pigments suspended in a base that applies milky but dries clear. The six varieties of FolkArt Dragonfly Glaze available are (from left to right):
- Violet-blue-green
- Full spectrum (a full rainbow shift)
- Gold-red-violet
- Red-violet-blue
- Green-gold-red
- Blue-green-gold
Tips and Tricks for Using Dragonfly Glaze
Check out this video to see what each of these stunning colors looks like in action. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more creative videos like this!
- Because it is a top coat, you need to put a base color of paint down on your project before you use Dragonfly Glaze. You can use either dark or light colors which will give you different-looking results. Dark base colors will give you more dramatic results than light base colors.
- Because the pigments are suspended in a milky base, you want to make sure to give the bottle a really good shake before you start working to make sure the pigments are fully dispersed in that base.
- I have found that you get the most vivid effects when using multiple thin coats of the Dragonfly Glaze. The glaze doesn’t take very long at all to dry, so you’re not going to add any work time to your project by doing more than one layer.
- I think that this looks great on a variety of surfaces, but those pigments really shine when you use them on a rounded surface. A rounded surface allows you to see the colors shift from one color to the next from any angle.
- I also like to use a firm, tightly-packed bristle brush to apply this Dragonfly Glaze. They make sure that you can work out any brushstrokes and remove excess product without adjusting the pigment placement on your project.
- If you apply multiple coats, I recommend alternating the direction of the brushstrokes from one coat to the next. That makes sure that you don’t end up with any streaking of the pigments since your brushstrokes will be going in the opposite direction.
- The Full Spectrum Dragonfly Glaze requires more coats than the other varieties do to achieve full coverage of pigments. The color shift is still definitely there, it just requires a bit more time and effort.
- Because the glaze is water-based, you can clean it up easily with a damp cloth. This does mean that the finish is not suitable for outdoor use or DIY projects that will be exposed to water. I have seen some people use a top coat acrylic to seal the glaze but I would be worried that it might dull the sheen. I would test it on a small-scale scrap before trying it on your actual project.
Where Can I Buy Dragonfly Glaze?
Dragonfly Glaze is available online and in brick-and-mortar craft stores. It is a little pricier than standard craft paint, so wait for sales or use your 40% off coupon on your purchase!
- Amazon
- Plaid Online
- Michaels, Joann, and Hobby Lobby
How is Dragonfly Glaze Different from Color Shift Paint?
Dragonfly Glaze is made by FolkArt, one of the offshoots of the Plaid brand. FolkArt also makes Color Shift paint. I have had lots of people wondering what the differences are between these two products, so I wrote a post about it! Click over to see the similarities and differences between Dragonfly Glaze and Color Shift paint.
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Can I use this on leather shoes?
I am not sure. I have a feeling it might crack anywhere the shoe creases.
if you paint the dragonfly glaze on clear glass – can you still see through it. would a candle light shine through or silhouette shine through? we are thinking of making some jar lanterns with fairy, mermaid, or dragon silhouettes inside
Yes, it is a top coat, so it would let light shine through it.
If I apply to glass, can I bake in oven to seal? Thanks
I was thinking the same thing I want to do some jars.
Does the color shifting sparkle still work if you apply
A sealer, such as spar urethane, over it?
I haven’t personally tried it, but I believe if you use a gloss formula it should work just fine.
Thank you for these hints. I just discovered the Dragonfly glaze, and bought a bottle of the full spectrum at Joanne’s. Haven’t tried it yet, but these hints will really help.
Thanks for your info. I plan to do a note card. You really helped me get started.
Can dragonfly glaze work on canvas shoes?
It is not waterproof so it would need to be sealed with a clear sealant after.
I just used the violet-blue-green Dragonfly Glaze on lamp bases, shook it well, followed instructions. For some weird reason, I could see hints of all three colors as I was brushing it on, but after a second coat, “blue” is the predominant color seen. Doesn’t matter if I move around as I look at the lamps or if I move the lamps to another area with different light, the color that you see is “blue”. I notice in the photo at the top of your article that some of the pieces shown also display with a predominant color. I was expecting an iridescent look, violet, blue and green all shifting and showing as the light in the room changed but that’s not what I got.
The color change is less about the quality of the light and more about the angle from which you are viewing the piece. The dominant color will be most visible when you are looking straight on. The other colors will show up when viewed from an angle. FolkArt says that the glaze looks best on rounded surfaces for this reason. Hope that helps!
Can this product be used outside in the weather?
It is not outdoor safe. I would recommend sealing it with a waterproof acrylic sealer if you are planning on placing your project outside.
Can I paint wine glasses with this?
If they are only for decorative use, you can. But the glaze is not waterproof so you would not be able to wash the glasses.
How can I thin the Dragonfly Glaze? I want to use it on the inside of glass bottles for a bottle tree!
Thanks
Cathy
It is fairly thin already, but if you need to thin it more you can add small bits of water. It is a water-based glaze.
Can this be used on stained furniture?