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A DIY project featured by Hunker shows how Instagram creator thriftyandchicdecor repurposes hollow-handled silverware into magnetic bud vases. The project uses a rotary tool to cut and smooth the handle, then attaches magnets; the source says water can be added if the handle is sealed and uncracked.
Hunker has reported on a do-it-yourself project by Instagram creator thriftyandchicdecor that repurposes hollow-handled silverware as small, magnetic bud vases. The method involves cutting off the top of a hollow handle, smoothing the cut edge and gluing small magnets to the back, creating a way to display a single flower on a magnetic surface.
The project’s supply list includes thrifted silverware, a Dremel rotary tool fitted with a metal cutting disk and sander, super glue, small magnets, and flowers. Ribbon or jute can be added as decoration. Hunker says the creator uses knives, but other silverware may work if its handle is hollow.
To check a handle, the creator recommends tapping it or knocking it against another object and listening for a hollow sound. The handle must have space inside to hold a flower stem. According to Hunker’s account, the creator cuts roughly 3 centimeters below the top of the handle, then sands the edge and attaches two magnets to the back with glue.
The report says the inside of the handle is sealed unless there are cracks, and that water can be used in an intact piece. That guidance is specific to the condition of the item: the article does not describe testing or give instructions for checking every handle. The creator also shows mixed silverware patterns in videos on her ThriftyandChic YouTube channel, rather than limiting the project to matching pieces.
A New Use for Hollow Handles
The project offers a small-scale reuse idea for silverware that might otherwise be overlooked at thrift stores. Its most distinctive feature is the magnetic mounting: rather than setting the vase on a table, a user can attach it to a compatible magnetic surface and display a flower in a compact space.
Hunker also describes other possible uses, including holding small plant cuttings, air plants, a pen near a magnetic notepad, or small herb scissors in a kitchen. These are suggested applications, not tested performance claims. The vase’s capacity is limited by the size and shape of the handle, so it is suited to small stems or items rather than larger floral arrangements.
The project may appeal to people who want to reuse mismatched materials and make decorative items without buying a conventional vase. Its practical value depends on finding a suitable hollow-handled piece and safely completing the metal-cutting step.
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How the Upcycle Is Made
The Hunker report presents the project as an inexpensive craft with a short supply list, though it does not provide a budget or exact material costs. The creator’s approach relies on a particular kind of silverware: hollow-handled pieces. Solid handles will not provide the cavity the project needs, and the source recommends checking by sound before starting.
The basic sequence is to cut the handle near its top, sand down the rough edge, and glue magnets to the rear. Optional finishing ideas in the report include adding ribbon or jute, using decoupage with dried flowers or leaves, applying antiquing wax to roughened metal, or painting part of the handle with enamel. Those are design suggestions from the article; the source does not provide detailed product-specific application instructions.
““Pieces of silverware with hollow handles are required for this project.””
— Hunker, reporting on the project
Handle Condition and Water Use
The report does not identify the silverware materials, the exact dimensions of the finished vases, or how much water a particular handle can hold. It says water is acceptable when a handle is sealed and has no cracks, but does not explain how to confirm that condition or how long the piece will retain water. Users should inspect each item rather than assume every hollow handle is watertight.
Hunker describes the project as simple and inexpensive but does not provide a cost breakdown or a detailed safety assessment of cutting metal. The source also does not establish whether every kind of silverware or magnet will work equally well. Results may vary with handle construction, magnet strength and the surface where the vase is mounted.
Check Before Cutting
Anyone following the project would first need to find a hollow-handled piece and confirm that it is suitable for cutting. The next steps are to cut and sand the handle, attach the magnets, and test the finished piece on the intended surface before adding a flower. The creator’s ThriftyandChic YouTube channel is cited by Hunker as a source for more project details and examples of different patterns.
Because the method uses a rotary tool and a metal cutting disk, users should follow the tool maker’s instructions, wear appropriate eye and hand protection, secure the workpiece, and keep hands clear of the cutting path. The source does not specify a launch date, formal tutorial schedule or additional developments; the project remains a craft idea rather than a reported product release.
Key Questions
What kind of silverware works for the bud vase?
Hollow-handled pieces are needed so the handle can hold a flower stem. Hunker says the creator uses knives and suggests tapping a piece to listen for a hollow sound.
What tools and materials does the project use?
The listed supplies are thrifted silverware, a Dremel with a metal cutting disk and sander, super glue, small magnets and flowers. Ribbon or jute is optional.
Can the vase hold water?
Hunker says water can be added if the handle is sealed and has no cracks. The report does not give a method for testing water retention, so inspect the individual piece before using it with fresh flowers.
How are the vases mounted?
The creator glues two small magnets to the back of each piece. They can then be attached to a compatible magnetic surface, though the source does not specify magnet strength or mounting limits.
Is cutting the silverware a safety concern?
The project requires cutting metal with a rotary tool. Follow the tool manufacturer’s directions, wear eye and hand protection, secure the silverware and keep hands away from the cutting disk.
Source: hunker.com
