
Bud vases are kind of the bee’s knees. You can give one away as a gift, cluster them to create an arrangement, or place a single vase on your bedside table for a clean, minimalist look. We’ve embellished a variety of vases in the past, from color-blocked vases to pattern-dipped vases. And now, in time for Easter decorations, Mother’s Day, and belated Valentine’s gifts, here are 10 clever ways to spice up any basic bud vase.
Materials:
– 10 vases
– spray paint
– chalkboard paint
– chalk pen
– flat back pearls
– sequins
– embroidery floss
– paint pens
– lace
– contact paper
– glitter
– washi tape
Tools:
– scissors
– spray adhesive
– hot glue
– paint brush
– painter’s tape
Instructions:
1. Determine designs using all of your materials.
2. Decorate your vases.
3. Add flowers and you’re done!
We raided our supplies closet to find all these colorful goodies for embellishing!
1. Washi Tape: Find two or three rolls of washi tape that look awesome together. Then have at it on your vase.
All you need to do is add strips of tape to create a unique design. Easy peasy.
2. Chalkboard Paint: Oh chalkboard paint, we really do adore you.
Grab your painter’s tape and stick some to your vase to create a straight line. This will block off a section for you to paint. Add a layer of chalkboard paint to the bottom half of the vase. Let it dry and continue to add paint until it’s no longer streaky. Once it’s dry, grab your chalk pen (these create a cleaner look that old fashioned chalk) and write a word or draw a design. This one is so classy.
3. Contact Paper: We went with gold contact paper for these. No surprise there! It looks so good, we can’t help ourselves.
Cut out shapes that you’d like to adhere to your vase. We made triangles, but polka dots, lines or squares would also be cute. Peel off the backing and then stick the paper to your vase.
Flat Back Pearls
To add them to your vase, just add a dollop of hot glue to the back and stick them on the vase. The glue dries very quickly, so you have to be quicker — just make sure you don’t burn yourself!
5. Sequins: Sequins aren’t only for making gorgeous clothes, they can also bedazzle so many projects. We’re adding some to our vases to get that polka-dotted look.
Carefully squeeze a drop of hot glue to the back and then press them to the vase.
6. Embroidery Floss: This one is SO EASY yet so chic.
Cut a long piece of embroidery floss. Glue one end to your vase with hot glue, and then wrap it around and around and around until you get the desired look. Add another bit of glue to the end and you’re done.
7. Lace: Just like sequins, lace is not only for pretty clothes.
Add a strip to your vase to give it that delicate feel. Hot glue works for this material as well, so place a bit of glue to one end, wrap your lace around the vase, and then glue the other end. We completed ours with two strips, but you could add more or less, or combine it with paint or embroidery floss. There are so many options.
8. Paint Pens: This is your chance to get really creative. All you need to do is draw a pattern on your vase with paint pens.
We did this on paper first to make sure we created a pattern we liked, and then we copied our favorite design onto the vase. You can make shapes, patterns, or intricate drawings with these awesome pens. Or you can write a word or phrase on your vase. Go wild with this method!
9. Color Block: Here’s the trick you’ve been waiting for — color blocked vases.
Stick some painter’s tape to your vase creating a line. Now tape the parts of the vase that you don’t want covered in paint. Spray paint has a mind of its own, so you should make sure the section you want to keep white is completely enveloped in tape. That goes for your clothes too! Don’t cover yourself in tape, but make sure you’re wearing something you don’t mind getting messy. Spray your vase, let it dry, and then peel your tape to reveal a block of color.
10. Glitter Dip: Oh what? You thought we forgot about glitter? Never.
For this vase, you’ll go through the same process as the color-blocked vase. Create your line with painter’s tape and then cover the sides you want to keep white. Add a thin layer of spray adhesive to your vase and then douse it in glitter. So fun! Give it a few minutes to dry and then carefully pull back the tape.
So many vases to choose from!
We recommend choosing three options and then making little clusters. Add some flowers and then adorn your house with gorgeous buds.
Which ones are your favorite? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
Getting the word out about your brand takes time, drive, and ingenuity. And it doesn't come easy for many entrepreneurs. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're chatting with Selfmade alum Taylor Morgan McPherson, founder of Sustainable Sparkle Bar, about ways in which she scored press as a solo startup brand and what she learned from Selfmade to take her brand marketing up a notch.
B + C: How did you know Sustainable Sparkle Bar was your business to start?
Glitter has always been my thing, so when I started my event company I decided to make it my niche. I started telling people I threw glitter-themed parties where people would get sparkled with glitter body art and makeup. Six months after that I applied to my first festival and to work with SUR restaurant in West Hollywood.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
I honestly can't say that I've had a specific strategy that I've followed when it comes to getting my business off the ground. I have a PR background so I was just constantly pitching new business and posting on social media.
B + C: What's the biggest challenge you face as a small business owner?
I would say creating a stable income and revenue stream. With a seasonal, event-based business it can be very up and down.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
The relationships I made and the push to start an email database.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I love what I do and I believe in myself 100%. Staying motivated isn't the hard part. Pushing myself to do the work and staying accountable is the hard part.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip? Do you use any apps that help you manage your business?
I keep multiple to-do lists, hand-written and digital. I also tell clients and partners that I will have something to them by a certain time or day so I have to stick to it.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Just do it, take the leap. And don't worry about what anyone else says to thinks.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Issa Rae, I'm so inspired by everything that she's created being a creative and a black woman. It's my dream to have my own show one day based on my life and where I give advice and talk about the world. She's doing it and making people laugh and giving people joy. And it's based in LA. Watching Insecure only further cemented my dreams of wanting to live in LA.
B + C: How did you hear about the Office Depot scholarship?
One of my friends that I met through Camp No Counselors saw an IG ad for it and nominated me.
B + C: What has receiving the scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start/grow your business?
It's completely helped me level up and take my business to another level. Selfmade helped me host my first virtual event and taught me how to set up my website to sell tickets to events and get RSVPs.
B + C: How have Office Depot services or products helped you accomplish more in your business?
I got new cards to send in all of my orders with my discount code on them. I also bought a really cool 4K camera that I now use for my social media.
Thanks Taylor! You really know how to sparkle. We love her colorful, creative vibe. You can follow Sustainable Sparkle Bar on Instagram @sustainablesparklebar.
Let Office Depot OfficeMax help you stand out in the crowd. From signs, posters & banners to promote your business, to marketing materials to keep your customers informed, Office Depot OfficeMax offers a full suite of business services & solutions to help you & your business get noticed.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.