TL;DR
Get decor and gifts delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
A DIY project featured by Hunker shows how to turn hollow-handled silverware, including old knives, into small magnetic bud vases. The process involves cutting and sanding the handle, then attaching magnets; the creator says the sealed handle can hold water unless it has cracks.
A DIY project featured by Hunker shows how creator thriftyandchicdecor turns hollow-handled silverware into small, magnetic bud vases. The craft reuses old knives and other suitable pieces as wall-mounted flower holders, though making them requires a rotary tool with a metal-cutting disk and sanding attachment.
The project uses hollow-handled silverware, a rotary tool with a metal disk cutter and sander, super glue, small magnets, and optional ribbon or jute. The creator uses knives, but the report says other silverware may work if its handle is hollow. It suggests tapping pieces to listen for a hollow sound before choosing them.
To make a vase, the creator cuts off the upper part of the handle, leaving a short opening. Hunker describes the cut as about 3 centimeters below the top, while also giving an approximate imperial conversion of nearly 2 inches; those measurements are not equivalent. The cut edge is sanded smooth, and two small magnets are glued to the back of the piece.
Once assembled, the handle can hold a small flower or plant cutting. Hunker reports that the creator says water can be added because the handle is sealed, unless there are cracks. The report does not provide independent testing of whether every silverware handle is watertight, so the condition of each piece matters. Ribbon or jute can be added as decoration, and the creator’s YouTube channel, ThriftyandChic, is cited as a place to see more of the process and mixed silverware patterns.
A Small-Scale Use for Discarded Silverware
The project offers a way to reuse ornamental or worn silverware that may otherwise be difficult to repurpose. Because the finished pieces attach with magnets, they can be displayed on a suitable magnetic surface rather than taking up space on a table. That makes the idea relevant to people looking for compact decor or a craft built around secondhand materials.
The report also points to practical limits. The handle must be hollow, the magnets must be securely attached, and any cracks could allow water to leak. The cutting and sanding steps require a powered tool and care around metal edges, so the project is not simply a no-tools decorating activity. Hunker describes it as generally simple and inexpensive, but gives no cost estimate or comparison with commercially made vases.
Popular right now
Hisense 40-Inch Class QD4SR Series Hi-QLED FHD Smart Roku TV (2026 Model)
Ninja DZ801 DualZone 6-in-1 Air Fryer, 8 Qt, Grey
De'Longhi La Specialista Touch Espresso Machine with Coffee Grinder
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
How the Silverware Vase Is Made
The featured idea is one example of a broader upcycling approach: altering an existing object for a new use instead of discarding it. Here, the shape of a hollow handle provides a narrow vessel, while magnets make the finished object mountable. The silverware’s original pattern remains visible, and the report says the creator mixes plain and ornate designs rather than matching every piece.
Hunker also lists optional ways to change the appearance. A maker could apply decoupage with dried flowers or leaves, use dark antiquing wax for an aged finish, or add liquid enamel paint for a color-blocked look. Those are suggestions in the report, not steps required for the basic vase. It also mentions using the holder for small plant cuttings, air plants, a pen, or small herb scissors, depending on placement and size.
““Pieces of silverware with hollow handles are required for this project.””
— Hunker, reporting on the project
Fit, Sealing and Safe Tool Use
The report does not specify the silverware brands or handle sizes tested, how the magnets are selected, or how much weight each finished vase can support. It also does not establish that all hollow handles are watertight. The creator’s statement about adding water is qualified by the possibility of cracks, and the source gives no test method for checking for leaks.
There is also a measurement discrepancy: the reported cut location is given as about 3 centimeters below the top and as nearly 2 inches, although 3 centimeters is substantially less than 2 inches. The source does not clarify which measurement is intended. It does not provide detailed safety instructions for using the cutter and sander, either; users should follow the tool manufacturer’s guidance and protect themselves from metal dust and sharp edges.
Check the Handle Before Cutting
For anyone trying the idea, the next step is to inspect thrifted silverware and identify pieces with hollow handles before using a rotary tool. The report points readers to the creator’s ThriftyandChic YouTube channel for more detail, but does not announce a scheduled follow-up or a new product release. Any finished vase intended for fresh flowers should be checked for cracks and leakage before it is mounted.
Key Questions
What kind of silverware works for this project?
The report says the handle must be hollow. The creator uses knives, but other silverware may work if its handle has the right construction and enough space for a small flower stem.
What tools and supplies are needed?
The listed supplies are hollow-handled silverware, a rotary tool with a metal-cutting disk and sanding attachment, super glue, and small magnets. Ribbon or jute is optional.
Can the vase hold water?
Hunker says the creator considers the handle sealed and suitable for water unless it has cracks. The report does not describe independent leak testing, so inspect the piece and check for leaks before displaying it with fresh flowers.
Can the finished piece be used for anything besides flowers?
The report suggests small plant cuttings, air plants, a pen, or small herb scissors as alternate uses. Suitability depends on the handle’s size, the magnets, and the surface where it is attached.
Source: hunker.com
