Do you have lots of vases that are white or glass? They’re perfect for a colourful bunch of flowers. But, sometimes a splash of pattern or colour is what’s needed to create a decorative display on a sideboard or table WITHOUT flowers. Here’s a way to create a vase arrangement which looks good without lots of flowers. You can also use these cylinder vases to cover any old jar or container. What’s better is that we made these from postal mailing tubes and leftover bits of wallpaper, so we’re re-using easy to find materials. Try getting wallpaper samples or remainders from your paint or hardware store, and mix and match some. This tutorial idea is from Lynn Pavey. Here’s her tip: “The design part is important. Plan carefully and spend time pondering the possibilities. Only two cylinders can have a base (each end of the tube). Think about your heights so they are in good proportion to each other and also where the designs on the wallpaper will sit on your vase. You don’t want to cut off on of the most attractive sections!”.

2. Materials you will need
1. Old or new mailing tubes/cylinders
We made three ‘vases’ from one
tube, approx. 9cm diameter
2. Wallpaper samples to fit preferred
length of vase
3. Hacksaw
4. Ruler
5. Scissors
6. Craft glue or indoor PVC glue (e.g
Aquadhere)
7. Brush
8. Metallic tape (we used copper
50 mm & aluminium 18mm)

3. Measure and cut cardboard tube
Mark along the length of the
mailing tube your preferred
length/height for each vase. We
created three – 8cm, 21cm,
35cm.
Only two will have the plastic
inserts to use as a base for the
vase. Using the hacksaw, score
all the way around making a
shallow channel, this helps keep
your cut straight as you saw
through the cardboard. Turn the
tube as you cut.

4. Measure and cut wallpaper
Measure and cut the
wallpaper pieces to fit each
individual tube. Allow at least
2cm extra along the longest
side as overlap when
wrapping around the tube.
Add an extra 5 – 7cm extra in
length for pasting the paper
on the inside of the vase.

5. Brush on glue
Take the first tube with a
plastic base insert. Brush the
glue to the entire tube surface.
Gaps will cause a bubble, so
check glue coverage is even.

6. Attach wallpaper
Position wallpaper over glue
aligning it with the bottom of the
tube. Smooth down the paper
right around the surface to
avoid air pockets.

7. Cut slits in paper ends
At the other end of the tube there
will be the 5-7cm of wallpaper
overhang. Make 8 cuts at regular
intervals from the edge of the
paper to rim of the tube. Coat the
inside top of the tube with glue and
fold down the paper flaps inside.

8. Adhere metallic trim
Repeat the same steps with the
other tube and other paper. The
vase can be left plain, or can
add a metallic trim. For the trim,
measure the circumference with
a tape measure (3.14 x 9.5 cm
diameter, approx. 30cm). Cut
metallic tape to circumference
measurement plus 2.5cm.
Crumple really well in your fist,
uncurl and flatten out. Peel off
backing and stick to the outer
edge of tube, allow 8mm
showing on the outer rim, the
remainder is smoothed over the
edge and adhered to the inside
of the tube.

9. Finished metallic trim
Metallic trim can be used at
base, if using tube without
plastic insert.

10. Tube with plastic base
To use as a vase, place a jar with
water on the table, place the
hollow tube over the top. Or if
using a tube with a plastic base,
place the jar inside the tube, then
add water and fill with branches,
or display flowers.

11. Display your flowers
Here we’ve used tufts of orange
tissue paper on a branch for
effect. The smaller squat vase
could be used as a candle
holder.