WednesDIY: Cinnamon Stick Vase

I made this!

While most everyone is complaining about the holiday push of retailers getting earlier and earlier every year, I really do not mind. I don’t use the extra time to buy Christmas presents early; rather, I spend the extra time at craft stores.

I could easily spend two hours in Hobby Lobby or Jo Ann Fabrics. Such interesting ideas! Creative gizmos! Stickers! Sparkles!

Before I go too far down this path, though, I’ll just explain my WednesDIY. As mentioned, I spend way too much time in craft stores. During those hours of wonderment, I did see a couple pre-made autumnal vases with bright orange and yellow flowers. I wanted one for my very own.

Cinnamon Stick Faux Flower Vase

Materials needed:

1 can (14 oz size or larger)

dark brown paper

bunch of seasonal flowers

several cinnamon sticks (I used 22)

hot glue gun and matching glue sticks

Here’s the breakdown:

1. Clean and dry a can. I used a medium sized can, but depending on your cinnamon stick length and quantities, you could go bigger with something like a coffee can.

2. Next, warm up the glue gun. While heating, trim a piece of dark brown paper to cover the outside of the can; glue in place. This keeps the silver of the can from showing through.

3. Now start gluing the cinnamon sticks. Simply “draw” a messy line of glue vertically down the side of the can and quickly press a stick in place. Pack them snugly while also varying their widths and heights around the can.

4. When the whole can is a tiny cinnamon fortress, the flowers are ready to be placed. I didn’t have to use any foam or filler with my flowers, though with different flowers, some moss peeking out might be a neat effect. Trim the flowers so they don’t look gawky.

Simple enough to do in about half an hour, watching a movie, and maybe even eating some popcorn at the same time. Who says multi-tasking isn’t possible?