Turn a sentimental vinyl bag into stained glass-inspired art using an old frame, some paint, and a whole lot of creativity—no glass cutting required!
Inspiration from the Basement (and a Bit of Nostalgia)
This particular project started with a trip to the basement to do laundry (how many projects begin around here). Sounds glamorous, right? That’s when I spotted my grandmother’s old floral vinyl bag lying on top of an old box, it was still bearing the tape my grandfather used to patch up the broken strap. And just like that, a vision popped into my head: faux stained glass.
I’d been wanting to try another stained glass-inspired DIY, but without the fuss (or mess) of actual glass cutting. So I scavenged around, found an old frame I’d picked up from Kmart ages ago, and the project practically built itself from there.
Why Faux Stained Glass?
It's been a while... but yes, I have dabbled in actual stained glass, but I like to share projects here I actually think you will try yourself. I love the real stuff—but unless you’re ready to invest in a glass cutter, soldering iron, and safety goggles, it can be a lot for a weekend DIYer. This version is mess-free, budget-friendly, and lets you turn something meaningful (like Grandma’s old purse) into beautiful art that catches the light just right.
And if you’re like me—always finding beauty in the broken and discarded—this project will knock your socks off, or at least I hope so.
Everything has a Story
Let’s back up for a second. That old frame from Kmart? I bought it during my single-gal days when I used to drive down into the valley where our Kmart sat, and wander the aisles out of boredom. I had no grand plans for it then—it just seemed like a good deal I couldn't pass up. It came with a printed field of poppies that I never intended to keep. The picture sat for a decade in a closet unused, and unloved, I know can you believe it? Me either.
One Christmas I even had an idea putting red and white fancy pants wrapping paper in it with more ideas to come, but they never came to fruition. So the frame remained in the attic collecting dust for twelve more years. That is until I finally thought of this frame when I came across my lovely flowered vinyl bag.
DIY Stained Glass Faux Art
Turn a sentimental or thrifted vinyl item into a one-of-a-kind stained glass-style art piece—no cutting glass or fancy tools required!
Materials You’ll Need for DIY Stained Glass Faux Art
Thrifted or old frame you already have (glass optional)
Black chalk paint (or any color that suits your piece)
Sponge brush or paintbrush
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Scissors
Step-by-Step: How to Make Faux Stained Glass Art
1. Prep Your Frame
Remove the paper backing, glass, and staples. (Pro tip: some staples may give you fits. Have patience and maybe a tetanus shot - glad mine is up to date, I kept getting stuck with the staples when they would break off.)
Paint your frame in a color that complements your vinyl. I went with black to match the dark outlines of the floral design and left the beaded trim untouched for contrast. I wanted the details of the frame to shine, not be hidden. I also decided rub-n-buff wasn't for this project.
2. Measure & Cut Your Vinyl
Measure your vinyl, in my case bag to be sure it will fit the dimensions of the frame you will be using.
Carefully cut your vinyl piece. If you’re working with a bag like mine, cut along the inner side seams to flatten the panels without damaging the design. Lay it out and choose the best area to showcase. The vinyl should be just large enough to cover the frame's opening.
Be gentle here—vinyl can be tricky. It's not as forgiving as fabric, cutting too fast can cause the scissors to slide and ruin your vinyl. Take your time.
3. Attach the Vinyl
I glued the vinyl directly to the back lip of the frame with a large bead of glue to cover any staples broken off that I could not remove. Start by gluing the center, create a fold in the vinyl so it will nestle down into the glue perfectly, then pull the vinyl taut and work outward. Be mindful—pull too hard and the hot glue can cause the vinyl to tear.
I found that gluing from the center out helped the most. Hot glue sets fast, so it’s best to work in small sections. Allow the side to completely dry before you begin working on the opposite side. Keep a damp cloth nearby in case you need to smooth things and/or your fingers burn.
4. Use What You Have
Don’t forget the back! I used the leftover trim from the bag's seams to create a cleaner edge on the back of the frame. I even kept the good handle attached so I could hang the finished piece from the ceiling. That meant no need to buy a chain or add hardware.
Using what you already have is part of the fun—and part of the challenge. No two projects will be the same, and that’s what makes them special.
5. Finishing Touches
After the vinyl was secure, I painted the back of the frame black to match and hide any uneven edges so it was finished from both sides. This will be hanging in a window after all (total afterthought once I saw the back would be showing to the outside).
Now all that was left was to hang it and let the sunlight do its job filtering through those glorious flowers.
Sentimental Love
What I love most about this project isn’t just the result—it’s what it represents. That vinyl bag wasn’t just a floral pattern. It was a piece of my grandmother’s everyday life. The broken strap, the heavy duty tape, the fact that it was stored in her hallway closet for as long as I can remember holding her bonnets—it all tells a story.
And now it’s telling a new one. Hanging in our home, it reminds me of her resourcefulness (waste not, want not), my grandfather’s handiwork, and the joy I find in reimagining what others see as junk.
I say it often, but it bears repeating: you don’t need a lot of money to have the home of your dreams. Just a little creativity, a stash of sentimental treasures, and maybe a blogger friend who never throws anything away and upcycles her junk. Oh, I guess that's me... if only you saw our basement you would know I can continue to crank out ideas until the cows come home without spending a dime.
Bonus Ideas for Your Own Faux Stained Glass Project
Don’t have a vinyl bag like mine? No problem—here are a few other materials you could try:
Vinyl shower curtains with a bold pattern
Window cling film made to look like stained glass
Puffy paint outlines on glass, filled in with watercolor or acrylic paint for a sun-catcher effect
Upcycling is all about using what you have and seeing the beauty where others do not, like that auctioneer with no imagination. Whether you’re raiding your attic, your craft bin, or Grandma’s old closet, the possibilities are only limited to your imagination.
Take Away
If you take anything away from this project, I hope it’s this: sentimental doesn’t have to mean stuffy. You can breathe new life into old items—and honor your memories—without sacrificing style or spending a dime.
The frame that sat in my attic for twelve years? It's finally got its moment.
The bag that an auctioneer wrote off as trash? It's now one of my favorite pieces of art.
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| Maybe one of these days I will actually measure the space I intend it to be in, it is too tall to sit inside the window |
So go ahead. Shop your home. Look at your stuff sideways. And remember: it doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. Sometimes, it just has to mean something to you.
