Curbly

Secondhand Chic: The Frame Vase

Last week I posted a Super Simple Floating Frames tute that resulted in a leftover frame sans glass. Then, this week, I posted about my adventure at my local surplus store and mentioned something I'd found there that inspired a how-to. Today I combine the two and show you how to make a Frame Vase.     

Supply list:

• a secondhand 5 x 7 frame, sans glass
• 3 small, lipped, vials (I found mine in the lab equipment aisle of the surplus store. They're 2 3/4" long and 5/8" in diameter.)
• 2' of 24 gauge wire (I used some copper I had on hand.)
• two small nails & hammer
• wire cutter or utility scissors
• glue, if necessary

Step 1: Fold the wire in half and twist it for about 2 inches. DO NOT OVER-TWIST or you'll break the wire. 

Step 2: Place a vial between the wires and twist the wires for about an inch. Repeat this step for the two remaining vials.

Step 3: When you're done with the 3rd vial, twist the wire about 2 more inches. When you're done, your vials and wire should look something like this:

Step 4: Drive your nails into the inside of your frame as pictured below. (I put them in 3 1/4" up from the bottom opening of the frame so short or longer-stemmed flowers would be framed within the frame.)

Step 5: Wrap the ends of your wire around the nails. It might be easier to remove the nails to do this. If you do remove them, you might need a bit of glue to hold them tight when you put them back into the nail holes. 

Step 6: Clip the excess wire, straighten the vials and add water and flowers. 

And that's it!!! I intended to hang my Frame Vase, but it looked so pretty 'leaning' I just did that...leaned it.

 Interested in more how-tos for creative reuse, thrift store and flea market finds, and turning secondhand items into showstopping home decor? Curbly's latest Make It! publication has fourteen original projects that show you how to recycle some style!

Tagged : Frame, vase, secondhand, make-it-secondhand-chic