Sometimes with decor, we have something specific in mind and will drive ourselves crazy trying to find it. Whatever vision you’re creating, make it picture perfect by crafting the homemade vase of your dreams. If you have a theme party around the bend, want to stay on color scheme for a wedding, or just want to try your hand at creating handcrafted accent pieces, here are a few projects for creative vases we love.
Marbleized Ceramic Vases
These sweet and simple DIY vases only require a few items, and they take less than 20 minutes to complete. Nail polish, which floats on water, is an incredible way to marbleize white ceramics. Since polish comes in a variety of colors, you are limited only by your imagination as far as color combinations go. We suggest picking two favorite shades, plus one brighter accent.
Items you’ll need:
- Pure white ceramic vases
- Plastic bowl
- 2-4 favorite colors of nail polish
- Nail polish remover
- Toothpick
- Paper towels
Step 1:
Fill your plastic bowl with water, and then carefully pour in a quarter bottle of nail polish. If you pour too fast, it’ll sink, and if you pour too slowly it will get brittle before you dip. So just pay attention!
Step 2:
Add additional shades and swirl with a toothpick.
Step 3:
Dip in the part of the vase you would like to marbleize, and then swirl it to bring the pattern all the way around. Set the vase on your paper towels to dry. Once totally dry, you can go in with nail polish remover and clean up any mistakes.
Step 4:
Find a beautiful bouquet to fill your homemade piece and enjoy!
Upcycled Lamp Vase and Planter
As creative vases go, these ingenious creations are a truly unique way to refurb glass lamp shades, which can be found lining the shelves of any local thrift store. If you love the shape of a lamp but hate the color, not to worry! We’ll walk you through how to clean and paint it the perfect color for some homemade charm.
Items you’ll need:
- Glass lamp shades
- Rubbing alcohol (optional, for cleaning)
- Primer (also optional, to ensure a sticky base for the paint)
- Acrylic or spray paint
Step 1:
Rinse your shade off with rubbing alcohol (or water) and pat dry. Dirt and oil on your lampshade can prevent paint from sticking.
Step 2:
Paint the lampshade with primer, to make the top coat more durable and create an even base for the color. Wait until completely dry.
Step 3:
Begin painting with your chosen colors. Acrylic paint might reveal brushstrokes on your piece, but spray paint will have to be done outdoors.
Step 4:
If you are planting inside these pretty pieces, fill with a liner and soil. If you are using them as a vase, to prevent the paint for chipping, it’s best to line before you fill with water and a sunny Bouq of your choice.
Gold Accented Glass
Metallics are the perfect way to instantly make any space more elegant. With some painter’s tape, you can paint the inside of a vase with any sort of pretty pattern you can think of. Pick a water-resistant, outdoor paint so that when you fill your vase with water, the color will hold up.
Items you’ll need:
- Glass vase
- Painter’s tape
- Spray paint
- Scissors
Step 1:
Wipe out the inside of your vase to remove any dirt or oil. Dry thoroughly.
Step 2:
Cut sections of painter’s tape and place onto the inside of the vase. Get creative! Stripes, polka dots, crosshatching – there are lots of pattern options.
Step 3:
Spray paint the inside with desired color in a well ventilated area, 1-2 coats.
Step 4:
Once paint is COMPLETELY dry, remove the tape to reveal your design. Fill with a bright bouquet and enjoy!
Hanging Upcycled Colander
A colander is essentially a strainer, but with bigger holes. They often come in bright colors, and are usually a durable metal, making them great candidates for DIY vases. With some twine, sheet moss, and plants to transfer, they can become beautiful, functional hanging pots for plants.
Items you’ll need:
- Colander
- Twine
- Hot glue
- Sheet moss and soil
- Plants to pot
Step 1:
Wrap one colander handle tightly with twine, pushing the loops close as you go to avoid gaps. Once covered, tie off and glue ends to secure.
Step 2:
Knot a yard of twine at each end of one handle. Repeat with other handle. Tying the twine onto four points of the colander instead of only two creates a more even distribution of the weight.
Step 3:
Line the colander with sheet moss and fill with potting soil. Fill with plants.
Step 4:
Tie the four lengths of twine in a secure knot at the top and hang your new homemade vase.
At Bouqs, we value the personal touch of something handcrafted – whether it’s the fresh Bouq itself, or the homemade vase that will contain it. We hope the above ideas for DIY vases will help you entertain the way you want, or just liven up your space with the beauty of fresh flowers!
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