Upcycle Vases With Endless Possibilities Using Paper Clay

Your old vase is one DIY away from becoming a handcrafted work of art, and you don't need tons of craft skills to make it happen. Thanks to modern paper clay, you can easily give the vase an artisan look of pottery without a potter's wheel or oven. What we love about this upcycle is the endless designs you can make with the paper clay. Use paper clay to restyle the entire vase, create a new border along the edges, fill in chips and cracks, or add a decorative handle. You can even use it to repurpose ordinary household items into beautiful flower vases. To give your vase or other container a new look, all you need is paper clay like Creative Paperclay's Modeling Compound, water, and a few craft supplies.

If you're feeling extra crafty, you can even make your own paper clay. Since the clay starts to dry and harden when exposed to air, it helps to have an idea of the look you want before you start playing with the clay. It might be difficult to remove the dried pieces or change the design once it's already in place. If you don't usually have luck with freehand designs, try tracing a pattern onto the vase with marker or using a printed stencil as a helpful template. This will make it even easier to create a lovely upcycled clay vase to style around your home.

First, remove a small chunk of clay from the package then reseal it to prevent the entire block from drying out. You'll need a spray bottle or bowl of water handy to keep the clay moist. To create your own vase inspired by TikTok creator Nelly (@creative.by.diy), simply break off small chunks of clay, shape them in your hands, and apply then directly to the vase. Press the clay firmly in place to adhere it and smooth into the desired shape. Use this method to create flowers, stripes, stars, and any other pattern you like onto the vase. For a more sculpted look, try using molds like Rainmae's Baroque Style Mold or Cestony's Leaf Shape Silicone Molds to create intricate designs with the clay before applying it to the vase. Store any unused clay in an airtight container until you are ready to use it for another project, such as these cute DIY clay leaf dishes.

When you're happy with the pattern, leave the vase to dry for 24 to 72 hours. Thicker pieces will take longer to cure. Once the vase is completely dry, you can sand the design and fill in any cracks with fresh clay if necessary. Leave the creation as-is for a minimalistic look or paint your vase. Tempera, watercolor, acrylic and enamel paints or markers will all work to decorate the surface. You can also add baking soda to the paint to give it a natural-looking stone finish and create your own rustic vases perfect for displaying fall flowers. Finally, seal your design with polyurethane or acrylic sealer to protect the design and make it more water-resistant.