It’s a Vaahse!

Which means it’s a really nice vase, according to a certain commercial. In case you’re wondering where I found it, I got it as a freebie at work. Originally, it was a plain, glass cylinder vase.

Using my trusty aquarium sealer and gobs of flat glass decorator marbles it became a vaahse with a diagonal stripe pattern. I used clear, blue, light purple, pink and green marbles to make the pattern. Most of the stripes are 2 marbles wide. The last stripe is dark purple and 4 marbles wide. To establish the pattern, 2 marbles were set next to each other at the bottom of the vase. Continuing in the same color, the next row was offset by 1 to the left. Each row was offset by 1 to the left until they reached the top of the vase. The remaining stripes were set the same way until the outside surface was covered.

I wanted to fill in the gaps around the marbles but decided I didn’t want to try forcing mosaic grout between many round surfaces. I also wanted a less expensive and more interesting option. I used white tacky glue (which dries clear) that had a bottle tip which allowed me to squeeze the glue around the marbles. While the glue was wet, clear micro beads were sprinkled into it. (They can be found with glitter and other supplies for scrapbooking and card making.) I “grouted” a few rows between the marbles at a time, working the long way. The vase was laid on its side in a large storage container so I could keep the excess beads contained as much as possible. Once the glue was dry, gloss Mod Podge was applied to make the beads more secure. After it dried I did a few more rows until I worked my way around the vase.

Applying the marbles took a few days. I have to confess that filling in around them took longer and got a bit tedious. I like the finished result, however. Filling in the space around the marbles gave my vaahse a frosty look, and it just wouldn’t have seemed finished without the microbeads.

The Project Queen

 When I placed the arrangement in this vase, twigs with LED lights were included.

Then wouldn't you know it? I couldn't find the detachable plug.

For a few months I could only imagine what my idea looked like.

Well, this was my week for finding things when I wasn't searching for them.

Don’t Lose Your Marbles

I have to confess when my older daughter told me about Pinterest more than a year ago, I stayed away from it. When it comes to collecting patterns, books and ideas I have more than enough stuff already. More than I can make in a lifetime. Besides, I’m just as likely to make something that’s been bumping around my noggin.

Then I started this blog. Some of my blog photos are now on a Pinterest board. While on the site I got curious. The container you see in the above photo is a result of that curiosity. Technically, I suppose it’s a candle holder. I bought it several years ago for my older daughter’s bedroom when it was decorated with a Chinese theme. We poured a few bags of red, decorator marbles in it and added some LED tea lights to it. She could have the ambience of candles, and I wouldn’t have to worry about the house burning down.

Last fall, she moved out. The container migrated downstairs and did some time with the Christmas decorations. Then it remained parked on a table whose sole purpose seemed to be the collection of clutter. At the beginning of Thanksgiving break I needed to clear that table so I could use it as a work surface for my Roman blind. After everything else was put away or added to the donation pile, I found myself staring at the candle holder/vase with its ruby red marbles. What to do with it? There was nothing wrong with it; no cracks or chips. It just didn’t seem very exciting anymore. Then I recalled projects I saw on Pinterest, projects involving glass decorator marbles affixed to other glass items. I studied the quantity of marbles in the container and concluded I had enough to cover the outside. Thanks to the presence of 2 fish tanks in my house I also had the appropriate adhesive.

This newly revised candle holder/vase was the project I worked on when I got tired of my Roman blind or didn’t feel like cooking. After I finished putting the marbles on the outside, I put a strand of LED lights in the container and filled it with the roses. Right now it’s sitting on my desk at work. I may eventually give it to someone but haven’t quite decided yet. I do know there are some other glass items in my house that will probably get the marble treatment.

The Project Queen