Transform a Mason Jar into a Stylish DIY Wood-Bead Vase — Step-by-Step
Give a simple mason jar a fresh, handmade look with this easy DIY wood-bead vase. This craft uses two sizes of wood beads, bamboo skewers and an embroidery hoop to create a decorative sleeve that fits around a wide-mouth quart jar. It’s an approachable project for beginners and takes about an hour to complete.
If you're looking to add a touch of charm to your home decor, why not try making a DIY beaded vase? It's a fun and creative project that allows you to personalize your space with a unique twist. Whether you prefer a simple geometric pattern or a more intricate floral motif, the options are endless. Not only will you have a one-of-a-kind piece to showcase in your home, but you'll also have a great conversation starter for when guests come over. So grab your supplies and have fun jazzing up your space with a DIY beaded vase!
Example finished beaded vase — a decorative wood-bead sleeve that fits around a mason jar.
Supplies
Here’s what you need to make this pretty DIY beaded vase:
Six inch embroidery hoop
Bamboo skewers
Wood Beads in two sizes: This project uses 20mm and 16mm wood beads (about 120 of each). This package of beads includes plenty to make a vase plus lots of leftovers for other projects.
Wide Mouth Quart Size Mason Jar: You’ll use this inside the beaded vase to hold your flowers. A wide mouth jar works better than a standard jar.
Wood Vase Template:
Printable wood vase template used to mark the hoop for skewer placement.
You will also need a hot glue gun and snips or scissors that can cut through the skewers.
Project supplies laid out: embroidery hoop, bamboo skewers, wood beads and a wide-mouth mason jar.
How to Make a DIY Wood Bead Vase
This is an easy craft for adults that will take about an hour to make. It’s easy to work on while watching a show. I made my beaded vase a little over seven inches tall so it would cover a quart size mason jar. Please note this beaded vase is meant to go around a jar or vase that actually holds the flowers.
Instructions:
Mark the Hoop
Separate the inner and outer rings. Screw the outer ring closed as tight as possible. Print the template and place the OUTER ring down on the template so it covers the circle. Make a small mark on the inner edge of the hoop where each line touches it.
Position the outer hoop on the printed template and mark where each line meets the inner edge.
Attach the Skewers
Cover your work surface with a sheet of wax paper or other covering if you are worried about getting hot glue on it. Holding the outer ring in one hand, place a line of hot glue inside the ring at the first mark. Quickly press a skewer into the glue, with the flat end of the skewer flush with the bottom of the hoop. Hold the skewer in place for about 30 seconds to allow the glue to cool and adhere. As you do so, put the hoop down flat on a table so you can ensure that the skewer is flat to the table as well and that the skewer is pointing straight up. Once the skewer is secure, repeat at the next mark.
Hot-gluing a bamboo skewer to the inner edge of the outer hoop to form the vase's vertical supports.
After you’ve attached about six skewers, stop for a moment and add more hot glue over the skewers you’ve already attached to make sure they are super secure.
Several skewers attached around the hoop and reinforced with additional hot glue.
Continue adding skewers until you’ve gone all the way around the hoop (you will use 24 skewers). The photos below show what the vase looks like at this point from the top (L) and from the side (R).
Top (left) and side (right) views of the hoop with all 24 skewers in place.
Now it’s time to start adding beads. Alternate adding a 16mm bead and a 20mm bead, working your way around the hoop. For the second row, you’ll put a 20mm bead on top of each 16mm bead, and vice versa.
Alternating 16mm and 20mm wood beads threaded onto each skewer to build the vase's pattern and height.
Continue until the beads are high enough to cover whatever vase you plan to use inside the beaded vase. I made mine tall enough to cover a quart size mason jar by using ten beads on each skewer (five of each size). You can make your vase taller or shorter, but use an even number of beads on each skewer to make sure the bead stacks are the same height. Once you’ve added all the beads, use snips or sharp scissors to cut off each skewer about 3/8 inch above the top of the beads.
Beads stacked to the desired height on each skewer — trim the skewers about 3/8" above the top bead.
Finish with Other Hoop
Grab the inner hoop that you set aside. Gently hold the beaded skewers and place the inner hoop over them, making sure all of the skewers go inside the hoop. This is pretty hard to do by yourself so enlist the help of another person. Push the hoop down so it sits right on top of the beads. Check to make sure none of the skewers extend above the hoop; if they do you’ll want to cut them a little shorter. Add hot glue inside the inner hoop where each skewer hits it. Don’t use too much glue – if you do it will drip down and be visible – just enough to secure each skewer.
Fit the inner hoop over the beaded skewers and add small dabs of hot glue where each skewer meets the hoop.
Ready to Display
Allow the hot glue to cool and harden and your beaded vase is ready to display! I placed a wide mouth quart jar inside the beaded vase then added a faux flower arrangement. Working with faux flowers is nice here because you can bend the stems if desired. However because you are using a mason jar inside the beaded vase you can also display real flowers! I think this vase looks best for displaying flowers that fall over the edges a bit as opposed to ones that just stick straight up.
Finished beaded vase with a wide-mouth mason jar and a floral arrangement, ready for display.