DIY: Easy Decorative Vases

Natural Home & Garden's blog has a great way to upcycle a plain glass vase - or even one that has a design, but you are looking for something new.

These graceful vases take about 60 seconds to make: 20 seconds to cut the paper, 20 to brush it with glue and 20 to wrap it around a glass. Fill the finished vases with cut flowers, dried arrangements, maybe even celery stalks or lemongrass. If you like, place a votive candle in the bottom of the glass and watch the intricate shapes and unusual textures of these delicate vegetable (and fruit!) papers flicker to life.

Why toss old corks when you can use them to create fun wine cork crafts? Try this project for a DIY...

1. Measure and cut handmade paper (available at specialty paper and craft stores or online) to the right height for your tall, straight-sided glass with a craft blade or scissors. You can leave the top edge irregular or cut it straight.

2. Thoroughly paint the back of the paper with white glue or Mod Podge, a nontoxic acrylic découpage medium sold at craft stores. Be sure the adhesive goes all the way to the edge.

3. Smooth the paper around the glass vase. Press firmly as you go to remove air bubbles. Let dry before using.

DIY: Upcycle Glass Vases

What a great and inexpensive way to upcycle a glass vase!  We love this idea from Starshine using just some glass vases and a touch of cheap paint from the local craft store.  We are sure you can find vases in pretty much any Goodwill in your area!  So, go grab one and jazz up your living room on the cheap!

I picked up 3 clear glass vases from my local thrift store for 50 cents each.

Then I bought the cheapest craft paint from Michael's. This was 59 cents a bottle. I got Robin's Egg Blue.
Squirt some paint inside the bottle & keep turning the bottle until the inside is coated with paint. Just squirt a little bit of paint at a time. You don't want to use too much or you'll have a ton at the bottom. I did turn upside down & poured out the extra paint. Be sure to wipe the paint off the lip of the vase. And no, this is not my hand. I had hubby demonstrate while I took the photo.

After each vase was coated with the paint, I placed on their side to dry. I kept turning them every 5 minutes or so for an hour. You don't want them to lay on one side for very long or all the paint will go to that one side. Darn that gravity. Keep turning them every few minutes. After an hour or so I felt it was dry enough to stand up.