How to Make a Mother's Day Vase from a Glass Bottle

Create a special vase to hold Mother's Day flowers.

For many mothers, receiving a handmade gift from a child is more special and significant than anything bought from a store. For a new spin on a classic gift, bottle vases make attractive and affordable presents. Glass bottle vases are simple and fun to create, require basic materials and can be filled with flowers for extra Mother's Day charm. As an added bonus, bottle vases are environmentally friendly, encouraging kids to recycle old glass bottles.

Things You'll Need

• White glue
• Colored string or yarn
• Toothpicks
• Felt
• Scissors
• Craft brushes
• Colored tissue paper
• Black permanent marker
• Craft sealant

Instructions

String Covered Vase

1. Apply craft glue to the lower half of a clean, dry and empty glass bottle. Cover all sides thoroughly with a thin layer of glue. Don't apply glue to the base of the bottle or it will stick to surfaces. Keep the upper half of the bottle bare, since applying glue in two parts makes it easier to handle the bottle.

2. 

   Use Mom's favorite colors in honor of Mother's Day.

   Wrap colored string or yarn around the bottle, beginning at the bottom edge of the bottle. Wrap in a circular motion, going around and up the bottle in spirals. The layers of string should be close together. If they start to separate and there are gaps between each layer, use a toothpick to push the strings together.

3. Apply glue to the upper half of the bottle. Spread a thorough layer on the uncovered section of the bottle and continue wrapping the string in close layers, right up to the top of the bottle.

4. Measure a strip of felt long enough to wrap around the lip of the bottle. Wrap a cloth measuring tape around the perimeter of the bottle lip. Make a note of the measurement and cut a strip of felt. The width of the felt should be around one inch, while the length should match the measurement.

5. Glue the felt around the lip of the bottle. Once the bottle is covered entirely in colored string, attach the strip of felt to the lip as a finishing touch. Allow the vase to dry before handling.

Stained Glass Vase

1. 

   Create a stained glass effect with tissue paper and a glass bottle.

   Mix water and glue. Use an even portion of each and stir together until blended. Standard white glue works best.

2. Using a brush, spread a small amount of the glue mixture near the bottom edge of a glass bottle. Be sure the bottle is clean, empty and dry.

3. Attach a small piece of colored tissue paper to the bottle. One- or two-inch pieces work best, and can be either torn or cut from a larger sheet. Lay the tissue paper against the glue mixture and use the brush to gently affix it to the bottle.

4. Continue attached differently colored pieces of tissue paper to the bottle, by repeating Steps 2 and 3. Work your way up until the entire bottle is covered with tissue paper. Be sure the edges of the tissue pieces overlap slightly.

5. Allow the tissue paper to dry. Using a black permanent marker, trace the border of every piece of tissue paper. This will create a stained glass pattern.

6. Apply a layer of transparent sealant all over the finished bottle. Look for a sealant with a glossy finish rather than a matte finish.

References

• Kaboose: String-Covered Vase
• Bright Hub: Mother's Day Gift Project - Make A Stained Glass Vase

Resources

• Dream in Color Yarn: Yarns
• Mister Art: Sealers & Finishes