Back in February, I was dreaming of the beach, fruity drinks with little paper umbrellas, and vacation time with my family while I hot glued to my heart’s content and made a heart from driftwood. Today, I’ll show you how I took some more of the driftwood that I bought on Etsy and made a driftwood vase. By the way, I’m still dreaming of that vacation.
1. A glass jar. I up-cycled a jar that once held a candle.
2. Flat pieces of driftwood.
3. Measuring tape
4. Sandpaper
5. Hot glue gun and glue sticks or E6000 glue (more permanent but the smell is strong)
6. Jute twine
7. A chop saw or miter box
Measure the jar to see how many rows of driftwood you’ll need.
I ended up needing a couple more inches than the circumference of the jar. Measure the height of the jar and add an inch. This is the length you’ll need to cut the driftwood.
Before you add your cut pieces of driftwood, scuff up the jar with sandpaper to give it some grip. Clean the jar and hot glue the pieces of driftwood on. You don’t have to start on opposite sides like I did. I tried to take one of those pieces off after the glue cooled and it didn’t budge. The hot glue may soften if exposed to warm temperatures over time, so you will need to keep the vase out of direct sunlight. You can use E6000 glue if you want the driftwood to stay permanently. I, personally, don’t care for the fumes.
The last step is to braid three pieces of jute twine and hot glue it around the vase. I could have put a small cup inside the jar before I added the water and flowers, but I plan on wiping the inside clean with a paper towel dampened with vinegar.
Love coastal decor? Click on the picture below to see how you can make a driftwood heart.
Kim @ EverythingEtsy
22 Jun 2013I big puffy heart driftwood…thanks for the awesome idea!
~Kim
Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle
18 Jun 2013What a great summer project! I love it! Life to the full! Melissa
Amy
16 Jun 2013Love your vase. I love a simple project that looks this great. Thanks for sharing and nice visiting with you.
Amy
Natasha in Oz
11 Jun 2013This is such a brilliant idea and your pictures are stunning! We are heading to the beach in a couple of weeks so I will have to look out for some driftwood!
If you have a minute to spare I’d be so thrilled if you could share this post at my weekly Say G’day linky party. It’s on right now and this post would be a perfect addition!
Best wishes,
Natasha in Oz
Tricia
14 Jun 2013Thank you, Natasha! I’ll be sure to stop by this Saturday for the linky party! Thank you for the invite and I hope you have a wonderful vacation!
OnePerfectDay
8 Jun 2013Love the vase!
Love the heart!
They’re both such great projects!
I’ve been collecting driftwood forever but haven’t yet found the time to use it.
My sister makes wonderful mirrors with it.
Southern Scraps
8 Jun 2013Love the vase and the heart!
Lora @ Craftivity Designs
6 Jun 2013Beautiful! What a great touch of texture.
Ashley Christensen
5 Jun 2013I love this project! The drift wood is really fun, and it seems pretty easy to make! I would love it if you would come and link this up at my link party
Dandelion Wishes Wednesday. I’m also pinning this 🙂
Jenn
5 Jun 2013This is so pretty!!! I will definitely be collecting some driftwood on our summer camping trips! Thanks so much for sharing at The Inspiration Exchange – pinned this!
Jenn 🙂
Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage
4 Jun 2013Such a great idea! It is so pretty!!
Tara from The Magnolia Barn
4 Jun 2013I love this, so pretty. Just pinned and looking forward to making one of my own, thanks!
MariaElena
3 Jun 2013What a beautiful idea! Looks gorgeous! I have a new weekly link party which is live now and I would love if you stop by and link up this wonderful post! Hope to see you there! http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/ Hugs, Maria
Diane | An Extraordinary Day
3 Jun 2013Having formerly lived within walking distance of Lake Michigan I so wish I had thought of this with all the available driftwood there. What a cute project!
Thanks for sharing at Monday Funday!
Hope your week is extraordinary!
p.s. Shared on FB & pinning!
Dee
3 Jun 2013The driftwood is beautiful and I also love the heart!!! So beach inspired. I love it!!! I hope you will share this on my blog this week. The challenge is “Life at the Beach” challenge. Anything beach/summer inspired or nautical.
Come on over! Link up begins Wednesday night!!!
http://www.thecsiproject.com
Sandy toes and salty kisses XOXO
Dee, The CSI Girl
PS I would love to share this on my FB page this week. Perfect for this week’s challenge!
Mel
3 Jun 2013I love this what a beautiful project, just perfect in its simplicity 🙂
Jenna
2 Jun 2013Such a pretty little vase! Love the beachy feel of it! Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof
Kelly @ JAX does design
2 Jun 2013Your driftwood vase has so much wonderful coastal charm 🙂 I’ve found lots of shells on visits to the beach, but not a lot of driftwood – I’ll have to keep an eye out for it next time!
Kathryn
2 Jun 2013This is just so pretty! I love it!
Krista @thehappyhousie
2 Jun 2013The vase is adorable Tricia and that heart is absolutely fabulous!! I think I need to create something similar… we have a bunch of little pieces of driftwood that roll in on our lake beach, perhaps I will spend some time today collecting it!!
Krista
Ellya Brill
2 Jun 2013I really like this! It is pretty!
Thanks for sharing. Have a great Sunday!
Ellya
rita
1 Jun 2013This is so beautiful! I am going to try and find drift wood now. I think I need a few of these vases for my patio now :). If you get a chance, please share this on my linky party: http://suburbsmama.blogspot.com/2013/06/sunday-linky-party-10.html
Shannon @Fox Hollow Cottage
31 May 2013This is really pretty Tricia. I bought a giant driftwood Garland last Fall, just so I could take it apart and craft with it. It’s patiently waiting for me 😉 I’ve got some projects planned for the bathroom reveal. Your vase sure turned out pretty.
Tricia
1 Jun 2013Great idea, Shannon! I can’t wait to see what you make. I’m sure it will be fabulous!
Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage
31 May 2013So pretty – now I have to hit the beach to find some driftwood!
Kelly
Tricia
1 Jun 2013Thanks, Kelly! I’m counting the days when we can finally get to the beach. It can’t get here soon enough!
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule
30 May 2013Love it Tricia! We just went out and picked up some driftwood the other day…can’t wait to get busy making something with it! 🙂 This is so pretty.
Nancy
Tricia
1 Jun 2013Thank you, Nancy! I’m hoping that the beach we go to this summer has some driftwood that I can take home. I’m ready to make something else. 🙂 Can’t wait to see what you make.
Sarah @ 20State
30 May 2013Beautiful, the driftwood looks so soft! I’m holidays in 14 sleeps, woohoo!
Tricia
1 Jun 2013Yay, Sarah! I wish my vacation was that soon. Hope you have a wonderful time!
Therese @ Fresh Idea Studio
30 May 2013Tricia, that turned out perfect! What a great tutorial. I love your Driftwood heart too…but I think I’ll be better at handling the vase. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers
Tricia
1 Jun 2013Thanks, Therese! Yes, making the vase went a lot quicker than making the driftwood heart. I’m so glad that you liked it!
Linda @ it all started with paint
30 May 2013Oh, I just love this! I’m a beach lover and anything driftwood makes me nostalgic … and happy!
🙂 Linda
Tricia
1 Jun 2013I’m so glad you like it, Linda!
Ruth Anne
30 May 2013Hi Tricia,
I’m heading for the Florida Gulf Coast beaches tomorrow and will gather as many small driftwood pieces that I can. I really love the driftwood vase and plan to make one, if I get lucky enough in my beachcombing. Thanks so much for the very helpful tutorial!
Tricia
1 Jun 2013You’re welcome, Ruth Anne! Enjoy your vacation! I hope you find lots of driftwood so you can make a vase, too.
Chelsea @ Making Home Base
30 May 2013So pretty, Tricia! I am seeing so many beautiful driftwood projects lately. I think this one is my new favorite 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing!
Tricia
1 Jun 2013Thank you, Chelsea! By the way, I love your Annie Sloan painted high chair that you did recently! I’m sharing it on my Facebook page today. Hope you have a great weekend!