How to Upcycle a Takeaway Coffee Cup Into a Vase

 If you're someone who loves quick takeaway coffee breaks, you probably have a collection of disposable coffee cups that you'll eventually throw out, or you instantly bin them when you've finished the drink. 

But STOP - have you ever thought about upcycling these cups into something new and creative, like a flower vase? 

A large or extra-large size takeaway cup is the best size to use.

For the 'Simple Vase':

Large or extra large takeaway cup

Strong glue

Scissors

Decorations like colourful paint, braid, rope, beads, wrapping paper

For the 'Rope Vase':

Large or extra large takeaway cup

Hot Glue Gun and/or strong glue

Scissors

Measuring tape

Roll of thin rope twine

A glass to fit the cup

Stones and/or small shells to decorate

The Simple Vase:

1. Clean the cup thoroughly with soap and water to remove any leftover coffee or debris. Dry it well.

2. Use a strong glue to attach decorative elements to the outside of the mug. You can use anything from colourful paint, braid, rope, beads, or even wrapping paper; the possibilities are endless. 

   Set aside to let it dry overnight.

3. Then fill the cup 3/4 full with water. You can also add some small pebbles at the bottom of the mug to stabilize the flower vase.

4. Finally, add your preferred flowers to the water, cut them to size to fit in the cup, and enjoy your new, upcycled vase.

The Rope Weave Vase

Here's what you need and how I did it:

A roll of thin natural rope twine

One extra large takeaway cup

Sharp scissors

A hot glue gun

Stronger glue is you decorate using stones

A glass to fit inside the cup

Flowers

Clean and dry the cup, measure, mark and then cut 13 strips at 2 centimetre spaces from top to just above the hard base.

Splay the strips and using hot glue attach the rope to the side of the base and then start at the base weaving in and out of the weft.

Cut the strips using sharp scissors.

Splay the strips.

Using hot glue attach the rope to the side of the base.

Go around and around to the base of the cuts.

Then start at the base weaving in and out of the weft.

Getting the weave started is tricky, but once you get momentum, it becomes easier.

Keep the tension tight.

Push the rope towards the base as you go.

As you work the weave around the strips it pulls the cup together.

This is when you turn it the right way up and continue the weaving process.

Hint: Put the roll of rope twine in a glass to make it easier to weave with it.

When you reach the top lip of the cup cut the rope and glue to secure it.

My cup had a bit of a rope gap at the base so I glued flat oval stones on it to cover it.

Use a stronger glue than hot glue if you use stones on your creation.

Then I added a central focal point using found beach shells.

Place your glass inside the rope vase, fill it with water and flowers.