I made these whimsical DIY centerpieces from egg cartons and vintage buttons.

My Blue Box is nearly always overflowing with egg cartons. I’m always dreaming up ways to turn them into craft projects – and this is one of my latest.

These were inspired by my post last month on Cute as a Button weddings. I’ve got heaps of vintage buttons and I couldn’t wait to put them to good use.

If you are looking for DIY centerpieces that are super cheap and easy to make (albeit a bit time-consuming),  give these a whirl.

Cost: $2 – $3 per dozen (Assuming you already have acrylic paint and buttons on hand.)

Materials:

One paper egg carton

12 pipe cleaners

24 gauge wire

Buttons

Acrylic paint in your choice of colors

Floral tape

Scissors

Paper clip

Varnish (optional)

Glue (I used wood glue, but regular white glue should do the trick.)

Find a paper egg carton.

Remove the egg carton cups using scissors.(I also cut a few of the triangular parts of the egg carton that are between the cups.)

Cut the egg carton cups into various flower shapes. (I fringed some, made some rounded and others were made into daffodil shapes.)

Paint the cups using acrylic paint. Let dry. Coat with glossy varnish. (This step is not mandatory, but if you want them to be glossy you will need to varnish them.)

Take the end of a paper clip and poke two holes into the back of one of the flowers.

Take 24 gauge wire and pipe cleaner and poke them through the bottom of one of the holes.

If you are going to add one of the triangles to the center instead of the button, weave the pipe cleaner through the other hole.

Glue the triangular shape to the middle of the flower and let dry.

If you are using a button for the center of the flower, place a button on the wire/pipe cleaner.

Forming a loop, bring wire/pipe cleaner through the other hole.

Take floral tape and begin wrapping just beneath the bottom of the flower. I hold the flower in my right hand (I am right-handed) and the tape in my left. I spin the flower with my left finger and thumb until the tape covers the length of the flower. This is a bit tricky at first, but after doing a few you will get the hang of it.

Presto! Your egg carton flower is done. Repeat 12 times and you and you’re on your way to creating some wonderful and whimsical DIY centerpieces!

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