Upcycle Vase with Clay Roses

It's that time again for The Thrift Store Upcycle Challenge on the fourth   Thursday of each month! Here, a group of creative bloggers come together to   share their lovely transformations of a thrift store item. Who doesn't love thrift   store upcycle projects - whether it's actually creating one or admiring how an   item from a thrift store was transformed!     

When I spotted this cement vase for a bargain price of $1 at the Goodwill, I knew I wanted to dress it up with handmade clay flowers - they're super easy to make and no tools required!

I decided to keep the vase/planter - there's a hole in the bottom, as is!  Don't you just love this rustic, natural look! So the only other things you'll need:

• Sculpey oven-bake clay
• Knife
• Baking pan
• RapidFuse all purpose adhesive

Start with a small piece of clay and knead until soft - rolling it into a ball.

Next, flatten ball with fingers into a round oval shaped petal. Then make several more petals for a rose!

For the center of the flower, take one petal and begin rolling to curl the clay for a bud-like shape.

Then, take another petal and press it around the center bud petal,  

curving the edges slightly out.

Continue adding petals, staggering around the previous ones and flaring the edges out.

How pretty do these petals look together!

Squeeze the base of the petals to make sure all of them are secure together.

And then use a knife to cut off the excess clay .  .  .

to get a flat base for gluing.

Next, place flowers on a baking tray and bake in a 275 degree oven for 15-20 minutes, following package directions. Remove from oven and let cool. 

Glue cooled flowers onto vase using RapidFuse all purpose adhesive. Hold in place for 30-60 seconds or more until set. I love that the clay color blends in with the vase for a natural rustic look!

And finally, arrange roses on vase for a decorative look!

What an easy way to beautify and upcycle a plain thrift store item!

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This post also contains affiliate links.  I may receive a very small commission.  It does NOT result in additional charges to you or cost you anything extra.  The affiliate money I earn per month helps pay my crafting expenses. Thanks so much for your support!

And now for more thrifty goodness!

The Rules:

• Upcycle an item(s) from a thrift store, resale store, or garage sale into a new piece of decor.
• There's no monthly theme.
• There's no budget to stick to.

Meet the Hosts:

Angela | Simply Beautiful By Angela - Meredith | Southbound Blog

Angie | Grandma Creates - Denise | My Thrifty House  

Jenny | Cookies Coffee and Crafts - Molly | Just a Little Creativity 

 Gail | Purple Hues and Me - Carmen | Living Letter Home 
Michelle | Michelle James Designs - Ann | Duct Tape and Denim

Make sure you follow our board on Pinterest for more upcycled decor inspiration!

Check out what my fellow upcyclers created below!

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