As I’ve eluded to on social media, I was given the opportunity to create decorations for last weekend’s Urban Ecology Center’s Summer Solstice Soiree and Silent Auction. Given the mission of the organization, I tried to reuse materials more than I normally would while still keeping a formality appropriate for a formal fundraiser affair.
As you can see the candleholders had a former life as soup cans and the vases were from old bottles. I got help from volunteers on both of those projects so I could focus my attention on the flowers. I loved how everything came together and think both projects would be easy for you to do for your next get together.
For the Vases:
- Remove all labels. This is so much more difficult than it sounds, particularly when you are doing 30 at a time. I suggest soaking the bottles in hot, soapy water for at least 30 minutes, if not longer. When you pull the bottle out of the water, the majority of the label should come off. Next try Goo Gone or Windex to wipe off schnibbles. If you still have some adhesive attached, use the edge of an old spoon (not a knife – you will cut yourself!) to scratch off the debris.
- Spray paint the bottles in your preferred base color, taking care around the curve of the bottom and the minuscule lip on the underside of the top part of the bottle. Allow it to dry completely.
- Once dry, use a minimal amount of regular gold paint (or any metallic paint, I guess) to gently brush up and down the bottle. You don’t need to do this with an exact procedure. You’re trying to make the bottle look antiqued, so imperfections are welcomed.
- Ta da! You have a vase.
For the Candleholders:
Remove all labels and adhesives. (Please see suggestions above. The cans don’t do as well soaking, but the Goo Gone does well here.)- Fill the can with water, leaving a scant amount of space on the top of the can.
- Put in the freezer and allow to freeze completely. (Overnight is best in my opinion.)
- Create a placemat/holder of sorts using an old towel. The purpose is to keep the can in place without you having to hold it (and freezing your fingers off.)
- Create a design you’d like to use on your can either by drawing it out on a piece of paper fitted to the can (and then taped to the can) or by using a Sharpie marker to make dots.
- Using a hammer and large nail (I used a roughing nail), punch in your design. If the ice begins to melt or chip out, you may dent the can. Be careful!
- If the can lost its shape during the freezing process, use the hammer to punch it back into place.
- Leave the cans out, perhaps in the sun, to completely melt the ice and dry the can.
- Using spray paint, cover the outside and the inside rim of each can.
- Fill with the candle of your choice and you’ve got new decorations!
