Silverware vases silverware ornaments. How to make your own.

Silverware vases are actually pretty versatile.. They can double as holiday ornaments, dress up a chandelier,  vase or be tied to the sides of old mason jars that have the metal clips on them.

I won't kid you there is some work involved, but once you do a few you will be thinking up all sorts of ways to use them. A supply list can be found at the end of this post.

The two most important tools are good dust masks and safety glasses.

My safety glasses are by "WileyX". They have foam padding making them pretty comfortable and interchangeable lenses to turn them into safety sunglasses  In addition to meeting ANSI specs they have a military ballistic impact rating.  True, way more then you need for this project, but I liked that extra rating and since we used to sell this style at work figured why not.

A dust mask is essential  Metal dust is extremely dangerous. 

A vice for holding the knife steady while cutting.

Hint: Trying tapping a fingernail on the handle to figure out where the blade ends and where the hollow part of the handle begins.  It's not fool proof method but after you do a few you can gauge this better.

Hacksaw

Using the hacksaw saw off the blade

OR

If you have one; a band saw outfitted with metal cutting blade.

My sweetie found this little one for me at a flea market.

(Such a romantic)

Once the handle is cut put on some work gloves and use coarse sand paper to smooth away the sharp edges.

You can also use a dremel with a grinding attachment and then finish with a sandpaper bit.

Now drill a hole in just one side with a drill outfitted with a small bit. Be careful to drill only

through one side of the vase.  A dremel will work for this too.

(an order in the works from a client for her neighbors)

Attach a little suction cup, fill with a small amount of water and add a small bloom.

Attach an ornament hook and viola!

Imagine fresh flowers on your holiday tree.

I'm thinking baby's breath would look lovely with our shell ornaments

You can dress them up too.

Find some wood coffee stirrers or Popsicle sticks and cut them down.

These are old clip back earrings. Just snap it on to the stick

For a beach look glue on a small sand dollar or shell.

You can also attach little signs to the sticks

Great as a small hostess or teachers gift.
Add a few sprigs of dried lavender, slip vase into a cello bag and tie with a pretty ribbon.

If you would like to make your own a supply list is below.
Or you can purchase one from my Etsy shop

Supplies List

• Silver plated hollow handled knife. "Grille" style knives work best. Grille style knives have shorter blades and longer handles

• Safety Glasses. Please don't think about skipping this important measure
• A good dust mask.-Don't skip this one either.
• A table mounted vice.
• Hacksaw or a band saw outfitted with a "metal blade"
• Drill or Dremel for drilling holes
• Gloves
• Coarse Sand Paper or Dremel for smoothing rough edges.
• Suction cup if you would like to hang on a mirror, window or vase.
• Wire, ornament hooks, ribbon or twine to hang on a chandelier or tree.