DIY Network

Organic Chic Party: Decorated Glass Vases and Centerpiece Arrangement From "Weekend Entertaining" episode WKE-308

In this segment host Jeanne Benedict accents ordinary glass vases by using recycled items such as doorknobs, glasses, plates and beads. A cork is created for the vases using the recycled items and the vases are filled with rocks and living succulents. The decorated vases serve as a centerpiece on the buffet table.

This party is rated 4 on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most difficult, and is geared toward the skills of a frequent entertainer.

Hourly Breakdown

Decorated Glass Vases and Centerpiece Arrangement -- 3 hours
Total Prep Time -- 13 hours

advertisement

Turn ordinary vases into elegant centerpieces.

Materials --

Note: Most of the materials below may be stray pieces found around the house or at a thrift store.

5 to 7 clear glass vases (ranging in size)
"Toppers" -- may be small glasses, candle holders, doorknobs (or anything else that strikes your fancy)
Jewelry pieces (bracelets, earrings, necklaces)
Small plates
Assorted beads
Sheet cork
Finials
Hot glue gun/glue sticks
Glass and bead glue
Pliers
Tape
Pen
Scissors
Ruler
Floral pebbles
Green and cream candles
Assorted succulents
Serrated knife

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F

Decorated Glass Vases and Centerpiece Arrangement

1. For each vase you will need to choose components to create a "stopper." For each stopper you will need a plate, a "topper" and an accent piece. Check first that the plate will rest easily and evenly on the top of the vase. Next choose your items for the "topper."

2. For one style, use a small drinking glass turned upside down. Remove the hook from a dangle earring with pliers and use glass and bead glue to glue the earring to the inside bottom of the glass (figure A) so that the earring hangs down when the glass is upside-down.

   Note: Use a piece of tape to hold the earring in place while the glue dries.

3. When the glue is dry, use the same glue to attach the upside-down glass to a plate. Create a finial by adding beads with glass and bead glue to the top of the glass.

4. For another style, use glass and bead glue to attach a glass candle holder to a plate. Then use the same glue to attach a glass doorknob to the candle holder. Set aside to dry.

   Note: Other jewelry pieces, such as bracelets and necklaces may be wrapped around the topper pieces.

5. To make these "toppers" into "stoppers" measure the neck of the vase from the top to the narrowest point (figure B). If the neck is very long, just measure how long you would like your cork to be. Mark this width on the sheet cork and cut a strip.

6. Roll this strip up and hold inside the neck of the vase to see how big around the cork needs to be (figure C). Hold the overlapped edges together and glue in place with hot glue.

   Note: If there is still a lot of cork coiled in the middle you may cut this excess off and use it for another stopper.

7. Place a bead of hot glue around the rim of this cork and attach to the plate, creating the stopper.
   
   
8. Now, attach the other items like the doorknob and glasses to the plate (figure D).

9. To create the centerpiece, arrange a few floral pebbles in the bottom of each vase. Use a serrated knife to cut the succulents from their roots. Place two or three succulents into the vase on the bed of pebbles. Top each vase with a cork stopper (figure E).

10. To decorate the buffet table, place a sheet of cork down on the center of the table. Position the vases, making sure to vary the heights. Add accent rocks to the cork, then add succulents to the rocks. Use pieces of cork to hold candles and more groups of rocks and succulents. Use your empty serving trays to make sure the arrangement works (figure F).

Expert Tip: When you are placing a buffet, you want to put it in an area where guests can easily get to it, but yet when you're servicing the buffet you have the ability to get to it yourself without any problems.

Tip from Jeanne: Flea markets and thrift stores are great places to pick up decorative items for your theme party or for your home. With a little imagination even the most ordinary object can get a vintage vogue makeover, and, best of all, it is easy on your wallet!

RESOURCES :

Whole Foods Market
Website: www.wholefoodsmarket.com

Create for Less
Website: www.createforless.com

Zwilling Cutlery
J.A. Henckels, Inc.
Website: www.jahenckels.com

Carolina Pottery
Website: www.carolinapotteryusa.com

Classic Party Rentals
8476 Steller Dr.
Culver City, CA 90232
Phone: 310-202-0011
Fax: 310-202-8542
E-mail: infola@classicpartyrentals.com
Website: www.classicpartyrentals.com

GloryBee Foods, Inc.
PO Box 2744
Eugene, OR 97402
Toll-free: 800-456-7923
E-mail: sales@GloryBeeFoods.com
Website: www.GloryBeeFoods.com

Mountain Crest Gardens
402 Bridge St.
PO Box 1023
Ft. Jones, CA 96032
Toll-free: 877-656-4035
E-mail: mcgardens@sisqtel.net
Website: mc-garden-gifts.com

Cost Plus World Market
200 Fourth St.
Oakland, CA 94607
Phone: 510-808-9504
Website: www.worldmarket.com

Mountain Valley Growers, Inc.
38325 Pepperweed Rd.
Squaw Valley, CA 93675
Phone: 559-338-2775
E-mail: vj@mountainvalleygrowers.com
Website: www.mountainvalleygrowers.com

GUESTS :

Cheryl Evanoff
Vice President, Regal Rents
6612 Shenandoah
Los Angeles, CA 90056
Phone: 310-529-0312
E-mail: Cheryl@regalrents.com

Dwight Detter
Whole Foods Market
Website: www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Note: There are more than 160 locations throughout the US, Canada and Britain and the Website will give you the closest store location.

Judi Brockman
Floral Expert
Crouch Florist
2120 Cumberland Ave.
Knoxville, TN 37917
Phone: 865-637-5683