If you're like me, you've received flowers and kept the container. Some of them are nice enough to use again so you store them. Now, they're in the garage, the kitchen and the closets...here's help!
Flowers with a twist. If a favorite flower is in season, get some. Rather than fill the base with water, add full lemons, sliced lemons, plastic grapes (to re-use), polished stones and other items that complement the flower. I use some of the ideas below and mine become a centerpiece. With a few in differing sizes and colors you can create a unique centerpiece whether they are filled or not.
Get creative with contents. I have several large glass cylinders filled with sea shells. I add ornaments at Christmas, but they stay that way nearly year round. It's easy to drop in timed votive or tealight candles; they go on and off at the same time every day. 4 months and counting till battery replacement.... Fill yours with favorite small items for a unique display.
Embellish them. If you want to spice up your vases, don't hesitate to make a few additions. Use acrylic paints to add that final touch to an art glass or glue ceramic beads or shells to the outside of floor vases. Etching is one of the easiest ways to transform a plain glass vase into a custom piece. Wrap with twine, ribbons or even living vines.
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| Glass cylinders tied with raffia and 'lined' with twigs and bamboo. |
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| Etch a design onto a glass vase using a stencil pattern. See "Etch" How -to blog from Feb. |
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| Fill glass cylinders with rocks and leave as is, or top with candles. |
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| My favorite in a seaside home year-round. Seashells! |
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| Cabbage leaves surround the base of cut flowers for a clean look. |
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| Cut limes thin, add a second cylinder inside. Line between & fill with water & flowers. |
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| Wind ribbon around cylinders for the right look. These were for a shower. |
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| Strips of leftover fabrics can make a unique filler! |
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| Handpaint a vine - freehand is OK. |