Make a Mock Black-Leather Vase

An Easy Craft for Children Using Common Household Items

Apr 25, 2008 Melissa Howard

Here is a tutorial for making a mock leather vase using common household items, masking tape, a recycled bottle, and shoe polish.

Here is a simple craft for children, which yields a durable finished product that any child would be proud to show off or give as a gift.

Suggested Age

6 years old to 99 years old

Supplies

• plastic bottle
• masking tape
• black shoe polish
• flowers, beads, pipe cleaners (optional)

Instructions

1. If the bottle is recycled, clean it out, remove the label, and dry it.
2. Tear the masking tape into small pieces (pieces in the range of 1/2 an inch to 3 inches are ideal).
3. Randomly stick the tape to the outside of the bottle.
4. Cover the entire bottle with several even layers of tape (three to six layers are ideal). Make sure to press the tape down as firmly and as smoothly as possible).
5. Use several layers of black shoe polish to cover the tape (let the polish dry completely between layers).

About the Sample Project

• A salad dressing bottle was used for the vase.
• About two inches of small stones were placed inside the bottle to help hold the vase upright when the heavy tulips were put into it.
• Beads were strung on pipe cleaner and tied around the neck of the bottle to make it more decorative.
• Some children have weak fingers and find tearing the tape too difficult. If your child has trouble tearing the tape, tear off pieces and stick them along the edge of the work table and let the child use them to cover the bottle.
• If a child is particularly messy, it might be good for an adult to help with the shoe polish.

Ideas and Suggestions

• Give the child plenty of time to complete this project. It is takes time and is not extremely exciting so plan to work on it over several days to a couple of weeks.
• Make different colors of ‘leather’ by using different colors of shoe polish.
• Decorate the vase with chains for a ‘biker mom.’
• For older children, threading the beads on cord and tying knots between beads to create a more airy look that is very pretty and drapes nicely.
• Tie a ribbon around the neck of the vase.
• Put a scrap of lace around the neck of the vase and fix it in place with an heirloom broach or a pretty earring that is missing its mate.
• This project makes a great gift for Mother’s Day or Christmas. It is especially nice to give to Mothers, Grandmothers, and teachers.
• If giving the vase as a gift, buy some silk flowers that the recipient likes and put them inside it. Alternately, let the child pick flowers for the vase.

The copyright of the article Make a Mock Black-Leather Vase in Kids Crafts is owned by Melissa Howard. Permission to republish Make a Mock Black-Leather Vase in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Mock Black Leather Vase

Child with Vase

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