How to make a stunning recycled paper vase

Turn an ordinary plastic bottle into a functional work of art!

This fun and creative papier-mâché project lets you shape, paint, and personalise your own unique décor piece—perfect for brightening up any space.

Materials:

• Plastic Bottle
• Newspaper
• Masking Tape
• PVA Glue
• Water
• Acrylic Paints
• Brushes
• Bicarbonate Soda

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Step 1: Shape your Bottle

1. Take your plastic bottle and wrap pieces of folded newspaper around it to create a new shape.
2. Repeat this process until you're happy with the form.
3. Cover the entire bottle in masking tape to secure the shape.

Step 2: Apply the Papier-mâché

1. To make your papier-mâché mixture, combine 1 part PVA glue with 2 parts water.
2. Dip each strip of newspaper into the mixture before applying it to the bottle. Continue overlapping strips until the entire bottle is covered. Smooth out any bumps or creases with a paintbrush as you go.
3. Apply at least six layers of newspaper all over the bottle, then place it in a sunny spot to dry completely.

Image: supplied

Step 3: Prime and Paint

1. Once your papier-mâché bottle is fully dry, paint it with two coats of primer. If you don’t have primer, any white paint will work!
2. Now it’s time to get creative! Mix 1 part acrylic paint with 1 part bicarbonate soda to create a matte, textured effect—the mixture should look a little like cake frosting (but don’t eat it!).
3. I painted one of my vases in hot pink with peach stripes and another in lilac and ultramarine blue checkers. Experiment with different colour combinations and designs!

Just add Water (and Flowers)! Once your vase is dry, add some water and your favourite blooms. This fun and upcycled craft is sure to brighten up any room!

Share Your Creations! We’d love to see your papier-mâché vase! Share your masterpiece by tagging @kidspot and @stellarperformingarts. Happy crafting!

Originally published as How to make a stunning recycled paper vase