This post first appeared over at The Crazy Craft Lady where I’m a contributor. Are you looking for a way to upcycle glass bottles? Then grab a few old jars from the recycling bin and some Rust-oleum spray paint because we are making some DIY flower vases!

I love bringing the colors of the season into my home. Last year, I created a fun project to bring a little color to my garden, which was these wood spoon plant markers. This year, I decided to upcycle glass bottles into flower vases to bring some color to my kitchen.

HOW DO YOU CREATE PERFECT VASES? – UPCYCLE GLASS BOTTLES!

If you have been following my blog for a while, then you know that I love creating upcycling projects! Upcycling what you already have on hand is a great way to bring new life to an old item, save money, and create some beautiful home decor in the process!

Today I will be showing you a simple way that you can repurpose old glass jars (using basic tools from around your house) so you can show off those flowers blooming in your yard this Spring. Now, if you don’t have a green thumb, these free printable floral place cards and straw toppers will fill your table with flowers! 

Keep reading below to see the full tutorial on how to make your own recycled vases! Also, if flowers are not your thing, these upcycled glass jars would make great storage containers for all your craft supplies!

{FTC Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links which means I may make a small commission from any purchases at no additional cost to you.}

BEFORE WE START UPCYCLING, LET’S TALK ABOUT GLASS JARS: 

As today’s title suggests, you are going to need glass jars for this project, not plastic.

Plastic (or plastic bottles) can be great for a variety of projects, but for flower vases, glass is much better. According to some scientific studies, (yes, we are getting scientific)  glass containers, compared to plastic, are actually better for holding flowers. This is because, since glass is a hard and smooth material, it doesn’t cause any reactions to the vase water. Also, due to its makeup, glass is non-toxic, less sensitive to scratches, and easier to clean (which helps keep bacteria at bay). 

Along with all those scientific facts, from a DIY perspective, the reason why we chose glass for this project is because 1) it’s easier to paint and 2) you have a variety of options to choose from when it comes to size and shape. For example, today, I will be using a Diced Jalapenos Jar, Dill Chips Jar, and Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives Jar (these olives were so yummy!). I chose these particular jars because they varied in size and shape, and they were what I had on hand. You can see a photo of each of the jars in step 1 of this project.

So, with that in mind, you can use whatever you have at home to make this project. The only thing you need to remember is that it should be glass and not plastic. If you are looking for some ideas, below are a few items that you could use as containers for your flowers.

• Old glassware
• Pickle jars
• Jam jars
• Mason Jars
• Old glass bottles
• A small jelly jar
• An empty wine bottle.

 SUPPLIES NEEDED:

• glass vase, old bottles or jars
• pot scraper or razor blade
• assorted Rust-oleum spray paint – The three colors I used are white, candy pink, and coral
• painters tape or masking tape
• paper towels

UPCYCLED GLASSWARE: HOW TO UPCYCLE GLASS BOTTLES INTO CUTE FLOWER VASES

1. Soak bottles/jars in warm, soapy water to remove labels. If any residue remains, use a razor blade or pot scraper to remove it.

NOTE: With just warm, soapy water and a little scrubbing, my labels came off my jars without any issues. However, if your label or the sticky residue is not coming off your jar, you can use a variety of methods to try and remove it. Below are some methods that you might want to try.

Removing the Label:

• Dish soap and Vinegar
• Baking Soda and Cooking Oil
• Pour hot water into the jar to loosen the label on the outside. 
• Hair Dryer

Removing the Sticky Residue: 

• Essential Oils (like eucalyptus essential oil, lemon essential oil, etc.)
• Citrus-based cleaners (like Goo Gone)
• White vinegar
• Adhesive Removers (like 3M Adhesive Remover, Un-Du, etc.)
• Nail Polish Remover

2. Rinse jars and let them dry.

3. Apply tape around the bottles, leaving some of the glass exposed.

NOTE: When it comes to this step, only use painter’s tape or masking tape. This is because you don’t want the paint to bleed into the areas that you want to be clear on your glass bottle vase.

4. Stuff paper towels into the opening of each jar to prevent paint from getting on the inside.

5. Paint bottles in assorted colors. Be sure to do it outside so you have plenty of ventilation.

6. Let the paint dry, and then remove the tape.

7. Place your flowers in your upcycled jars.

I just loved how these vases turned out! It’s amazing how you can update a simple glass container with some spray paint!

Also, if you are looking for a beautiful project to make for Mother’s Day, this would be perfect to do with the kids! Your kids will have so much fun making these, and they can customize them further in so many crafty ways. For instance, these vases would be the perfect place to store another one of my favorite handmade items, which is our paper flower bouquet!

Print This Pin This Rate This

How To Upcycle Glass Bottles Into Cute Flower Vases

Are you looking for a way to upcycle glass bottles? Then grab a few old jars from the recycling bin and some Rust-oleum spray paint because we are making some DIY flower vases!

Author: Beth Kingston

Materials

• glass bottles or jars
• pot scraper or razor blade
• assorted Rust-oleum spray paint – The three colors I used are white, candy pink, and coral
• painters tape or masking tape
• paper towels

Instructions

• Soak bottles/jars in warm soapy water to remove labels. If any residue remains, use a razor blade or pot scraper to remove it.

  NOTE: With just warm, soapy water and a little scrubbing, my labels came off my jars without any issues. However, if your label or the sticky residue is not coming off your jars, you can use a variety of methods to try and remove them. Below are some methods that you might want to try.

  Removing the Label:

  – Dish soap and Vinegar

  – Baking Soda and Cooking Oil

  – Pour hot water into the jar, to loosen the label on the outside. 

  – Hair Dryer

  Removing the Sticky Residue: 

  – Essential Oils (like eucalyptus essential oil, lemon essential oil, etc.)

  – Citrus-based cleaners (like Goo Gone)

  – White vinegar

  – Adhesive Removers (like 3M Adhesive Remover, Un-Du, etc.)

  – Nail Polish Remover
• Rinse jars and let them dry.
• Apply tape around the bottles, leaving some of the glass exposed.

  NOTE: When it comes to this step, only use painter’s tape or masking tape. This is because you don’t want the paint to bleed into the areas that you want to be clear on your glass bottle vase.
• Stuff paper towels into the opening of each jar to prevent paint from getting on the inside.
• Paint bottles in assorted colors. Be sure to do it outside so you have plenty of ventilation.
• Let the paint dry, then remove the tape.

IF YOU LOVE SPRAY PAINT, CHECK OUT THIS PROJECT: