How to Make a Glitter Butterfly Painted Rock

This painted rock tutorial features two of my favorite things: butterflies and glitter! 

My local rock painting group had a painted rock challenge this month where we were asked to paint and hide rocks with butterflies on them. Of all the butterfly rocks I painted, this one is by far my favorite!

I used my new favorite glitter paint called Glitterific together with a technique I developed for applying temporary tattoos to painted rocks. 

I ended up with a sparkly, galaxy style butterfly painted rock and you can make one, too!

If you are inspired by this rock painting idea and decide to make your own, won't you share? 

I'd love to have you share your painted rock creations on the I Love Painted Rocks Facebook Page. If you are willing to let me feature your rock on this website, you can submit your unique painted rock creations here.

Are you adding glitter to rocks the right way?

Check out the I Love Painted Rocks guide to responsible glitter use. Don't be the one putting the "litter" in glitter!


How to Add Glitter to Painted Rocks

Supplies:

Some of the links below may be affiliate links where a purchase made after clicking will support this website without costing you extra!

• Rock (find out where to get the best rocks to paint here)
• Paintbrushes (larger)
• Martha Stewart Acrylic Paint (get it from Consumer Crafts or Amazon)
• Glitterific paint in Blue Moon (as part of this set or by itself)
• Metallic temporary tattoo of a butterfly (I used a butterfly from this set)
• Mod Podge or Martha Stewart Decoupage Medium
• Clear spray sealer

How to Paint a Glitter Butterfly Rock Video:

Butterfly Painted Rock Step 1: Paint Rock

Use your favorite colors of acrylic paint to paint a flat rock in shades of blue and purple and allow to dry.

Butterfly Painted Rock Step 2: Add glitter

Apply Glitterific paint over the top of the (now dry) painted rock. Allow rock to dry again.

Butterfly Painted Rock Step 3: Add tattoo

Choose the butterfly tattoo you like the most and cut it out.

Peel the plastic film off the top of the tattoo. Place the tattoo face down onto the painted rock.

Hold a damp sponge on the back of the tattoo for 30-60 seconds before carefully peeling away the backing. Smooth out tattoo as needed with sponge.

Butterfly Painted Rock Step 4: Seal

Before applying spray sealer to your painted rock, seal the temporary tattoo with Mod Podge or Martha Stewart Decoupage Medium.

Some metallic tattoos interact with the ingredients of the spray sealer, which can make the metallic finish run! So protect your rock by Mod Podging or decoupage sealing it first!

Allow your painted rock to dry completely and then apply a generous coat of spray sealer.

In order to be sure the glitter stays permanently adhered to the rock, I recommend three of more coats of spray sealer (allowing the rock to fully dry between coats). Get more information about the right (and wrong) ways to add glitter to painted rocks here.

If you love this painted rocks project, don't forget to share it!

About the Author:

Carissa Bonham is a lifelong crafter and mom of two creative boys. The owner and lead writer of both I Love Painted Rocks and Creative Green Living, she won the Craftys Award for the "Best Craft Blogger" category in 2016 and the ShiftCon award for "Best DIY blogger" in 2018. Her projects have been featured in magazines like Kids Crafts 1-2-3, Capper's Farmer and Urban Farm Magazine. 

Follow her on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter or on Facebook.