Flower Frog Vase from a Cheese Shaker

Flower Frog Vase from a Cheese Shaker

There are certain things that I always find on my thrifting adventures and yet, always pass by- and one of those used to be cheese shakers. I never had a fun or fresh idea for them…until recently. And once I had a vision in mind, I just couldn’t shake it (pun intended)! I wondered if a shaker top would act as a flower frog or floral frog to create flower centerpieces.

And if I upcycled them into milk glass vases with some spray paint, then they’d be the PERFECT table decorations or wedding vases for the DIY wedding.

First, I collected this cheese shaker…

Cheese shaker at a thrift store for upcycling as a flower frog

Then, I found an entire group of them at Goodwill!

Cheese shakers at Goodwill that will be repurposed as milk glass vases

Obviously, I left behind the shaker with the flap top (for sugar, not cheese). I needed the shaker tops with lots of little holes for flower stems!

Upcycling the cheese shakers as milk glass vases with a floral frog

Plentiful on thrift store shelves AND inexpensive? If this idea worked, then it would be a terrific way to create a simple flower vase with a flower frog that was already built in!

This post contains affiliate links for your crafting convenience. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. All blue, bold, and underlined text is a clickable link, either to a product or to a related post.

Milk Glass Spray Paint for a Flower Frog Vase

First, I needed to transform the glass into milk glass so that it was opaque. I found this milk glass spray paint at Lowe’s and decided to give it a try on the exterior of the cheese shakers.

Milk glass paint on cheese shakers to look like the green milk glass

Next, I wanted to tone down the the stainless steel finish on the shaker tops. So, I used an antique flat spray paint to do so.

Spray painting a shaker top to be used as a flower frog

Finally, this is what my milk glass vases from cheese shakers looked like.

I used regular spray paint on the pink and white jars, and it didn’t have quite the same effect (a creamy shine, if that makes sense) as the milk glass paint. But I went with it anyway.

Now it was time to test out my theory about the shaker top as a flower frog! 

Don’t you agree, though? That these shaker tops are just begging for flower stems? And that the even spacing and symmetrical patterns will help those of us out that aren’t gifted flower arrangers (i.e., me)?

Shaker top as a floral frog or flower frog on the milk glass vases

To test out my theory, I used silk flowers from the craft store. But I would LOVE to play around with real blooms sometime. Obviously real flowers with narrow stems that fit in the holes of the shaker top.

Until then, though, it’s just me, some silk flowers, and my wire cutters.

Arranging flowers with a floral frog on a cheese shaker

Flower Frog Vase from a Cheese Shaker

And you know what? IT TOTALLY WORKED!

I’m still not naturally charmed in the flower-arranging arena, but without much effort or creativity, the cheese shakers hold the stems in place nicely.

And if you pay attention to even spacing of the holes of the flower frog, you can create bouquet-like arrangements on the fly.

Upcycling the cheese shakers into pink milk glass with a flower frog

It almost makes me want to have a second wedding, just so I can make dozens of these. OK, maybe that’s overkill.

flower frog vase from a cheese shaker

But, these milk glass vases really are an easy and inexpensive way to create lovely flower centerpieces or table decorations for the reception (or any party, for that matter).

flower frog vase

Think you’ll look at cheese shakers differently now? I’m pretty sure I’ll always see them as milk glass vases with a flower frog or floral frog from now on. And I’ll CERTAINLY see them as wedding vases or table decorations for a wedding reception, too.

There are so many possibilities for these, but I really can envision these as flower centerpieces for wedding decor. But bridal shower decorations or another Spring party would be perfect as well.

Either way, these milk glass vases with a  flower frog from the shaker top turned out better than I ever could have imagined!

And if you enjoyed this upcycling idea for milk glass vases, then you’ll also enjoy this craft project with vintage milk bottles!

Spring decor with old milk bottles

Craft on!

S

Want to be notified when I publish my next upcycling project tutorial?

Please subscribe here.

Join me on Social Media:

please follow sadie seasongoods on facebookplease follow sadie seasongoods on instagramfollow sadie seasongoods on pinterest

 

 

 

 

 
PIN ME!milk glass flower vase

diy flower frog with milk glass spray paint

Website | + posts

Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.

Comments

  1. Wonderful idea, the painted jars hide the stems, so creative! This is the first time I have seen milk glass paint!

  2. Love love ’em….love the colors too…they have some if these jars at the Dollar Tree stores. Thanks for sharing …

    • Sadie Seasongoods says

      Let me know if you find the kind with a shaker top at Dollar Tree- I could only find the “covered tab” pouring kind…

  3. Fonda Rush says

    Love this idea! The colors are beautiful, and I agree with you that the shine should come off the lids. The colors remind me of the macaroons I’ve been seeing on the web — also party butter mints. Beautiful!

    • Sadie Seasongoods says

      Maybe that’s why I love the color combo so much- I can’t be left alone with a bowl of butter mints because I’ll eat them all! LOL

  4. So pretty! I do love the way the aqua “milk glass” turned out. I’ve been painting vases & other plant holders white, but I need to check out that Valspar stuff. — Thanks for the info!

    • Sadie Seasongoods says

      It was new to me, too- and in person, it really does look the best. There’s supposedly a “blush” color but I could never find it!

  5. Kaycee F says

    These are just so adorable! What a vision, you are truly gifted to “see” beyond an items ordinary purpose!!! Love, love, love them!!

    • Sadie Seasongoods says

      And I’ve held you in suspense for a couple of weeks, LOL- thank you for being patient!! (And for loving the project 🙂 )

  6. Margaret says

    Another fabulous idea.. you really have an eye for repurposing! Thanks for sharing!

  7. creationsbycindynefcomnet says

    Love, love, love what you have done here! WOW! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

  8. These look fantastic! Great idea and perfect colors!

  9. This is a fantastic idea. I think these are beautiful and practical with the flower frog tops.

  10. Theresa Sambrano says

    Love, love, love this idea! I am on the hunt…

  11. I wish I would’ve come up with such a clever idea last year this time when planning my daughter’s wedding. So pretty and such a brilliant idea!

    • Sadie Seasongoods says

      Thanks, Marie- that’s how I feel about my own wedding, too! Ah well…here’s hoping some future DIY Brides find my post! 🙂

  12. Kristie Cook says

    Love this! I see these in the thrift stores all the time too & pass them up. Not now!

  13. Nancy Walden says

    Love them! I have three mason jar frog tops from a wire holder/jar set that I bought at a discount store. I’m using the jars to hold plastic “silverware” so the frog tops are sitting in a drawer. You’ve inspired me to find some taller small mouth jars I can use the tops on!

  14. natashalh says

    Lovely! The paint looks great – the piece of cut glass, in particular, looks so realistic!

  15. I love this! I see these in the thrift stores all the time so I will definitely see them differently now. These look so pretty painted.

  16. So pretty & a great repurpose!!!

  17. These are RIGHT up my alley. Love this idea for gifts or centerpieces!

  18. I’ve been searching for milk glass and this is a good compromise. Love anything with spray paint so will have to check out milk glass paint.

  19. Great idea, as usual. Never thought of this one before. Will now be on the lookout for shakers.

  20. Well, finally got printer to work and get to leave a comment. We have the worst internet service there is. Had to restart pc to get to to print and to be able to leave a comment, had – this page not working. Sometimes can’t get pc to work at all, it’s this place and they won’t do anything to make it right. Since we don’t live in Grand Junction have only two choices out here and they both stink but charge alot for frustration, is ridiculous. Would love to move away from here.
    Sorry it gets to me after while, every day /night sitting waiting and waiting for pages to load. We had better internet service from AOL years ago in middle of nowhere in MT.
    Love your wonderful frog containers.I happen to have some of that milk glass paint and couple containers so will be trying this, love how milk glass paint makes them look. What a fantastic idea.
    Leave it to you to see what great flower frogs the tops would be.

  21. Love your shaker flower frogs. So creative. Thank you for sharing at Vintage Charm.

  22. Absolutely perfect in every way. I love your style.

  23. Sarah you have done it again. Such an original repurpose. But what really makes it special is those lovely soft colors you have painted the vases.

  24. I love, love,love the way you think! Guess what I’ll be looking for the next time I go thrifting?
    Thank you for sharing with us this week at Celebrate Your Story, and I hope your week is going great.

  25. OMG, what a fun clever idea. When I first saw the picture (before clicking onto the instruction page) I would have never guess that the vase was sugar holder, turned into fabulous swans. Wow!

  26. Another fabulous repurpose!!! Who would have thought? They would make such lovely gifts!

  27. What a fun idea, and they turned our so Pretty! I love the colors that you chose, and how you tone down the tops.

  28. I love these Sarah, the colours are super pretty and the contrasting flowers too! Great and fun idea!

  29. These are adorable! They would be perfect for a Mother’s Day event too! I have not seen the milk paint, Can’t wait to try it!

  30. Donna Wilkes says

    Pinned, shared and stealing!!!

    • Sadie Seasongoods says

      “Borrowing”, Donna, “borrowing”! LOL…I’m on an endless quest to get people to stop “stealing” ideas. Borrowing is much more appreciated. 😉 😉 😉

  31. Rebecca Payne says

    I love these ideas.

  32. I love that you spray painted them! Total different look!

  33. Adorable shakers into milk glass vase and frogs! I have a few odd end crystal pepper shakers I think I will try for my granddaughters room. Just the right size. Some I will not spray as they have beautiful etching and a few every day ones I’ll use with the milk glass spray. Just thinking what my Easter table would look like with a salt or pepper shake make over at each place setting. (Baby shower anyone? Mother’s Day tea?) Thank you so much for expanding my horizons. Sadie -I can’t thank you enough. Love ‘‘em all!

Have a question or like what you see? Please let me know!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.