How to Decorate Glass Vases With Coffee Beans

Large Vase

• 1

  Find a second vase or a glass that is narrower and shorter than your main glass vase, so it fits inside the first vase with some room to spare. Make certain enough space exists between the inner vase and the outer vase to accommodate coffee beans on all sides. The smaller vase or jar doesn't need to be pretty or stylish -- the coffee beans will hide it completely.

• 2

  Place the smaller vase or jar inside the larger vase. If the top of the smaller vase doesn't reach roughly the level of the top of the larger vase, remove it and place tiles, coasters or a narrow, upside-down cup in the bottom of the larger vase as booster material. Make certain the booster, as with the smaller vase, is small enough to admit coffee beans on all sides within the larger vase. Replace the smaller vase on top of the booster. Don't worry if it isn't fully stable -- the coffee beans will hold it in place.

• 3

  Pour coffee beans between the smaller vase and the larger. If necessary, hold the smaller vase in place with one hand until you've added enough beans to keep the vase stable. Fill the space between the vases completely to hide the inner vase from view.

• 4

  Arrange flowers or willow branches inside the inner vase. Alternatively, place a pillar candle inside it. As the candle melts, the inner vase or glass will contain the wax, and the light from the candle will illuminate the coffee beans from within.

Smaller Vase

• 5

  Fill the vase some or most of the way with coffee beans combined with wine corks or whole spices such as cinnamon sticks, star anise pods, cloves and dried orange rinds. Mix the beans and the other elements together, or pour them into the vase in layers.

• 6

  Arrange the mixture with your fingers if you chose to mix the elements. Move wine corks or larger spice pods or sticks against the inside of the glass until you are satisfied with how the arrangement looks.

• 7

  Set a votive candle in a votive glass in the center of the vase. Press it down until the bean mixture holds it securely upright. Tie a piece of jute around the opening of the vase if desired to give it an extra rustic touch.

Patterned Vase

• 8

  Wash the coffee beans and towel them dry. Wash and dry the vase as well.

• 9

  Draw a pattern on the outside of the vase with a chalk marker. It can be a literal representation -- such as a horizon line running around the vase with a sunrise on one side or a coffee mug with steam rising from it -- or an abstract pattern that you find pleasing.

• 10

  Apply a dab of glue from a hot glue gun to the flat side of a coffee bean. Press the bean against a spot on your chalk drawing on the vase until it sticks. Use a damp paper towel to gently wipe off any excess glue that squeezes out around the bean, being careful not to damage your chalk drawing.

• 11

  Continue gluing beans to the vase until you have covered the chalk lines completely. Allow the glue to dry thoroughly.

• 12

  Fill the vase with colored sand or another material in a color that contrasts with the coffee beans. Alternatively, fill the vase with water and place a floating candle or two on top.