DIY Recycled Bottle Vases

Make an elegant vase that looks like crystal rather than plastic.

Extend the life of bottles by reusing them for a new purpose. Plastic bottles with the edges folded neatly take on a new use as a recycled bottle vase. Save your plastic bottle to craft this fancy flower vase. Fill the vase with flowers and give to a loved one, and she may not ever realize the secret ingredient is plastic. This craft takes an afternoon to complete and costs nothing more than a piece of garbage and a pair scissors.

Things You'll Need

• Empty plastic bottle
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Draw a circle with the pencil around the middle of the plastic bottle at the height that you want the finished vase. Use the ruler to measure 8 cm above the existing line and indicate with a line. Cut the plastic bottle at the highest measurement, and toss the top in the recycling bin.

2. Make a mark with the pencil at four equally spaced positions on the top end of the bottle, so that when you are looking down at the bottle you can visually connect the points to make an X. Cut a straight line from the top rim down to the bottom pencil line at each of these four points.

3. Mark a point in the exact center on the end of each of the four sections. Cut straight down to the bottom penciled line, so that you have eight sections. Continue marking in the center of each section until you have thin, equally portioned strips all around the bottle.

4. Turn the bottle over and press down firmly on a flat surface so that the strips protrude outward all around the bottle. Flip the bottle back over and begin weaving the strips. Start with one strip, sticking the tip over the adjacent strip and then under the two strips next to that one.

5. Press the strip into a sharp crease and the tip will stay in place. Continue with the remaining strips, but fold the second strip over the two adjacent strips and below the third. Continue folding in this manner until all the strips are woven.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a smaller thin plastic bottle, such as a 20-oz. drink bottle, for best results.

• Remove the outer label from the bottle and wash off any glue residue, so the vase is more easily mistaken for crystal or glass.

• Choose a colored plastic bottle, such as green or brown, for making the vase.

References

• Earth 911: 6 Ways to Reuse Plastic Bottles
• Dollar Store Crafts: Recycle a Plastic Bottle into a Vase

Resources

• Casasugar: DIY -- Self-Watering Recycled Vase