DIY Eyeglass Case Makeover: Turn the Ordinary into Art
From Dollar Store Finds to Designer-Inspired Gifts
You know how it goes—you toss your glasses into your bag, dig around five minutes later, and pray they haven’t been crushed under your keys and lip gloss. Most eyeglass cases are plain, boring, and honestly kind of sad. But what if that same little case could become a work of art? A gift-worthy treasure. A conversation starter.
That’s exactly what happened in Studio MD AZ when Debi sat down with a pile of cases, some paint, and her unstoppable imagination. What started as a “quick project” turned into a whole afternoon of color, laughter, and happy accidents.
Want to watch the magic happen in real time? Here’s the full video—bloopers and all:
Because Life’s Too Short for Boring Cases
They’re everywhere. Eyeglass cases come with every pair of readers, sunglasses, or prescriptions and most end up shoved in drawers or buried at the bottom of purses. But here’s the thing—these little cases are perfect blank canvases. They’re small enough to tackle in an afternoon, sturdy enough to last, and so inexpensive it almost feels like cheating.
Debi grabbed three plain ones on Amazon for under $9 (see them here), found some with colorful interiors (these), and even scored a teal/orange one for a punch of personality (right here).
Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click and purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Why bother? Because turning something so ordinary into a one-of-a-kind gift is pure joy. Plus, who doesn’t love pulling a fabulous case out of their bag instead of the same old black faux leather one?
Stickers, Flowers, and a Whole Lot of “Well, Let’s See What Happens”
The first case Debi tackled started simple: white paint, a quick coat of Bonding Boss primer, and some floral Dollar Tree decals. Sounds easy, right? Until she tried to smooth a sticker around a curved edge live on camera.
“Honestly,” she laughed, “a gold paint pen would’ve been smarter, but here we are.”
And yet—it worked. With a little trimming, clipping, and gentle smoothing, suddenly a boring case turned into a gift-worthy floral beauty. A little Stickles Glitter Glue (she used Mercury Glass) for sparkle, a coat of Liquitex High Gloss Varnish for shine, and you’d swear it came from a boutique.
That’s the thing about projects like this—they don’t have to be perfect. Sometimes the detours are what make them special.
A Quick Pause: Have You Met the Sisterhood Yet?
This is the kind of project we love to sprinkle into Check Savvy Sisterhood—the fun, fast ones you can knock out in an afternoon. But inside the membership, you’ll also find full-length classes, wild experiments, guest appearances by Debi’s mom, and even live auctions where you can snag her finished pieces.
If you’re craving more of the behind-the-scenes fun (and the occasional blooper reel Debi swears is “her whole life, every day”), the Sisterhood is where the good stuff lives. Come hang out with us here.
When Pop Art Crashes the Party
The second case took a turn for the bold. Out came Debi’s Pop Art Collage Book (Amazon link), and before long, a sassy, sunglasses-wearing diva was front and center.
She brushed on strokes of teal, hot pink, and yellow to match the inside of the case, stenciled diamonds and dots for texture, and sealed it all with Mod Podge. On top, she layered the pop art cut-out until it looked like it had always belonged there.
Then came the perfect finishing touch:
“Darling, you are a work of art.”
Cut from a Tim Holtz word book and outlined with gold paint, it made the case feel like a tiny mixed-media canvas. The kind you’d find in a gallery gift shop—except this one came from Debi’s craft table.
Bring on the Bling (You Knew It Was Coming)
No project is complete until Debi digs into her sparkle stash. Out came the mini mirror tiles, pearl trim, black-and-white check bling, and even a tiny mini glasses charm that looked hilariously perfect glued onto a box.
For designer-inspired touches, she shared her favorite sources: Carmen Sanchez-Fendricks for patches, Il Fait Jour Shop for pleather and appliqués (use code SISTERHOOD), and Ming Fabric Store for larger fabric sheets (also with code SISTERHOOD).
A plain Hermes-orange case edged in pearls? Yes, please.
The “Oops” Reel: Laughing Our Way Through Crafting
No Debi live would be complete without a little chaos. She glued matchboxes to the wrong side of paper, put a transfer on upside down, and at one point declared, “Well, that’s my blooper reel for today.”
And yet—that’s the magic. Mistakes aren’t deal-breakers; they’re just part of the process. “Paint right over it,” she shrugged. “Nothing’s ruined. This is my whole life—showing you what not to do.”
If anything, it makes the final result even sweeter.
Not Just for Glasses — The Ideas Keep Multiplying
The fun doesn’t stop at eyeglass cases. Debi reminded us you can use the same techniques on:
Hard-shell phone cases
Trinket or jewelry boxes
Dollar Tree gift packaging
Quirky finds like vintage typewriters, rotary phones, or fans
She even whipped up a matchbox makeover with collage art and pearls. Suddenly, something that costs pennies feels like a boutique treasure. That’s the heart of her projects—you see everyday stuff differently.
If you’re nodding along thinking, “I’d love to try this, but I need the full play-by-play,” then you’ll want to be in the Sisterhood. That’s where every replay, every big project, every mom cameo, and every giveaway happens. It’s not just a craft group—it’s a creative circle where we cheer each other on, laugh through the bloopers, and leave every class with a spark of inspiration.
Join Now for $25Gloss It, Seal It, Make It Shine
Whether it’s floral, pop art, or bling—the last step is always the same: seal it. Debi swears by Liquitex High Gloss Varnish, brushed on softly to lock everything in place. Once it cures, you can add Stickles or rhinestones on top.
That way, even when the case rattles around in your purse, the artwork stays safe and sparkling.
More Than a Project — It’s a Little Joy in Your Hands
At the end of the day, this isn’t about glass cases at all. It’s about slowing down, laughing at mistakes, and creating something nobody else in the world has.
As Debi put it mid-laugh:
“Come on, that’s a fun little project right there. It’s easy, it’s fun, and people would be thrilled to have that. What a great little gift—one of a kind. They’re not getting that anywhere else.”
That’s the joy of handmade.
Last Nudge (Because You Belong Here With Us)
If this post sparked your imagination, don’t let it stop here. Come join us inside the Sisterhood where the really magical projects happen, and where Debi’s humor, heart, and sparkle make every class feel like a girls’ night in.
Join Now for $25Affiliate disclosure reminder: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our creative community.
