Easy Do It Yourself Crafts

These basic vases can be transformed into beautiful centerpieces when wrapped in craft paper.

Beautify any space with paper-wrapped vases or tin can plant pots. Both can be made in minutes out of inexpensive or recycled materials. Turn clear glass vases into centerpieces or decorative accents for your home or an event. Upcycle empty coffee, tea and soup cans by transforming them into plant pots that will add flavor to any indoor or outdoor garden.

Things You'll Need

• Glass vase (cylindrical or square)
• Craft paper
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Decoupage glue
• Sand
• Candle
• Tin cans
• Hammer
• Nail
• Pebbles
• Potting soil
• Plant seeds
• Fabric scraps
• Paint

Instructions

Wrapped Flower Vases and Candle Holders

1. 

   Choose a piece of craft paper that suits your style.

   Cut your craft paper to match the height of your vase, using a ruler to ensure you cut a straight edge. Confirm that the paper is wide enough to wrap around the vase completely with some overlap.

2. Apply glue evenly across the craft paper using a paint brush. Make sure the glue covers the entire surface of the paper.

3. Wrap the paper around the vase, smoothing out all glue bubbles and air pockets with your fingers. If your vase is cylindrical, place the paper on a hard surface, glue side up, and lay the vase on top of the paper. Roll the vase into the paper.

4. Tie a piece of raffia or ribbon around the vase for additional decoration.

5. 

   Fill your vase with dried flowers or stalks of wheat if you wish for it to be a permanent decoration.

   Insert dry or fresh flowers into the vase. If using fresh flowers, make sure the glue is totally dry before adding water.

6. Fill the vase with sand if you wish for it to function as a candle holder rather than a flower vase. Insert a candle into the sand.

Tin Can Plant Pots

1. 

   Turn empty coffee tins into charming plant pots.

   Wash and dry empty tin cans, scrubbing off all labels. Turn the can upside down and punch holes in the bottom with a nail and hammer.

2. Decorate the cans by painting them or wrapping them in craft paper or fabric scraps. Use weather-resistant burlap or outside paint if the tin pots are going to live outside.

3. Place pebbles at the bottom of the cans and fill with potting soil.

4. 

   Plant herbs in small tin cans.

   Plant seeds in the cans by inserting them into the soil. If you're using small cans like tea tins, consider planting something small, like herbs.

5. Water your plants and watch them grow.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the paper isn't taller than the vase if using the vase as a candle holder.

• Use double-sided paper if you wish for the vase to be visually interesting when empty.

• If using the vase as a centerpiece for an event, choose a paper that fits the theme of the event.

• Sand off any rough edges on tin cans before beginning project.

References

• Natural Home: Easy Decorative Vases

Resources

• Craft Stylish: Paper Crafts
• Easy Craft Projects: The Projects