Last Updated on October 6, 2012 by Kristi Linauer
I think I’ve told you before that I have trouble throwing away containers–glass jars with lids, large cans with lids, plastic containers with lids, etc. I just always think I’m going to need them for something, so I hang on to them. So since I have a surplus of containers, and since I already had my wood veneer out from this cabinet makeover from last week, I decided to do a quick and easy project — a wood veneer-wrapped coffee can to create a pretty vase.
Projects really don’t get much easier than this. 🙂
I started with a can, a piece of wood veneer that I cut about four inches longer than the circumference of the can, and about two inches taller than the can. I also made sure that the bottom edge of the veneer was a factory-cut edge so that I knew it was perfectly straight. I used the adhesive-backed veneer for this.
I wrapped the veneer around the can, lining up the bottom edge of the veneer with the bottom edge of the can. I overlapped the veneer about two inches. The veneer wouldn’t stick to the can very well since it’s not a flat surface, so it’s important that the veneer overlaps so that it will hold.
Next I used my X-acto knife to trim the excess wood veneer from the top edge of the can. Then using my framing square, I scored a straight line on the end of the veneer. Actually, I scored it about three or four times.
That made it very easy to snap off the rough edge of the veneer, leaving a very straight cut.
After all of the veneer was cut, I handed it over to the quality control manager, who thoroughly checked my work. 😀
Then I sanded all of the rough edges. One thing I love about wood veneer is that the edges are very easy to sand so that you can get a perfectly smooth edge. (Below, I hadn’t yet sanded to top rim of the veneer, but I had sanded the bottom rim and the overlapped edge that I had just cut.)
Next I stained it…just like wood…’cause it is wood.
Now of course, from this point, there are about a million different ways you could decorate and embellish this little vase. You could paint a design, use stencils, make fun labels, wrap some jute around it…so many options. I opted for three simple little stripes…just enough to add a little color.
And when everything was dry, I finished up with a little finishing wax.
And that’s it! A fairly quick and simple DIY vase from a coffee can.
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
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14 Comments
Lindsey
July 4, 2012 at 9:07 amLove this Kristi! Super cute, inexpensive, AND simple! Thanks for sharing!
Anne @diy projects
July 4, 2012 at 10:19 amThat’s one of the easiest projects I’ve seen, and I love it. It’s a very creative idea and now it’s got me thinking of other things I could do with wood veneers.
Happy July 4th to you and all my American bloggers (I live in England).
Bbardot
July 4, 2012 at 4:53 pmAdorable! Question though – what are the flowers? They’re so pretty!
Kristi Linauer
July 4, 2012 at 5:48 pmThat flower is called Polka Dot Vinca. I found it at Home Depot with the hanging basket plants. Confession: The centers are actually a pretty pinkish red, but that clashed with my vase, so I did a little photo retouching and made them orange. 😀
Bbardot
July 4, 2012 at 7:36 pmHah! Suddenly “Painting the Roses Red” is running through my mind! (Painting the Vincas orange! Painting the Vincas orange!)
Christine Leahy
July 4, 2012 at 10:36 pmSuper cute! Can I get wood veneer at Lowes/HD?
Kristi Linauer
July 4, 2012 at 10:52 pmThanks, Christine! I’ve ever seen the kind I have (the adhesive-backed veneer) at Lowe’s or Home Depot. You can order it on the Wood All Amazon store.
Christine Leahy
July 5, 2012 at 12:05 amThanks Kristi! I thought I was asking a dumb question but I’m glad I asked! 🙂
Shannon Fox
July 5, 2012 at 10:57 amCute! Love seeing all the CRAFTY stuff you come up with. I need inside that brain 😉
Jen @ Four Marrs & One Venus
July 5, 2012 at 7:36 pmWhat a Great Brilliant Idea! So Simple- and Looks SO SO CUTE!!! Thank you for sharing this!
Jean
July 5, 2012 at 10:01 pmWhile the project is so pretty and impressive, I just want to say that I am also impressed with your quality control manager! 🙂
How To Make A Herringbone Serving Tray With Iron-On Wood Veneer Edge Banding
July 10, 2012 at 11:51 am[…] been on a wood veneer kick lately, first with this refinished storage cabinet, and then with this simple wood vase made from a coffee can. Well, I have yet another wood veneer project for you — a serving tray with a pretty […]
Ve
July 17, 2012 at 8:05 pmWhat, no tuna in the vase? LOL Love the kitty pic.
Great project.
Michael
September 17, 2012 at 8:48 amWhat a great idea! I recently wrote an article on working with wood…it has some helpful tips you can check it out here…http://projectsforwood.com Thanks