Woman Uses Pool Noodles To Create A Stylish Vase With A Unique Dollar Tree DIY

The toys your kids love to play with in the pool don't exactly scream "home decor". And turning one into a vase seems even more unlikely. Yet somehow, DIYers can use pool noodles to DIY a high-end vase. In this case, crafty YouTube creator The Daily DIYer uses a piece of a pool noodle to help create the shape of her DIY seashell vase made of air-dry clay. You can follow the same strategy to make your own seashell, or create a different shape, using the pool noodle to create the open vase section.

If you don't have a pool noodle on hand, head to Dollar Tree for a Noodle Pool Toy. Pool noodles are usually made of polyethylene or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), which makes them firm yet flexible. For this DIY, the firmness means the noodle doesn't flatten under the pressure of the air-dry clay, so it maintains the cylinder shape while the vase dries. It's also easy to cut to the length you need, and you can compress it slightly to pull it out of the hardened vase if necessary.

You want to use air-dry clay for this project instead of oven-baked clay because pool noodles will melt with heat. While Dollar Tree has their Crafter's Square air drying clay, but if it's not in stock, you can use Das modelling clay. A rolling pin and clay tools or a knife make it easier to shape the clay. The original creator also used thick wooden dowels to create ridges on the shell. Textured paint, like Rust-Oleum Stone Creations Spray Paint, gives the finished vase a stone or rough shell look, but you can also choose a different paint.

Cut the pool noodle to the height of the vase with a serrated knife. Since you just need a small piece, explore other ways to transform Dollar Tree pool noodles into chic home decor with the leftovers. Roll out two pieces of clay the same size and shape. To follow the seashell inspiration, cut a rough heart shape with a flat bottom. The original creator went for a curved top with a V shape cut out, but you can also cut a scalloped edge. Or, cut it into another shape that works well as a relatively flat design.

Sandwich the pool noodle vertically between the two clay pieces. You can also cut smaller pieces of pool noodle to support the edges and create waves.  Brush water on the clay where you join the pieces to help them stick together. To add vertical ridges for a scalloped look, wrap wooden dowels in plastic wrap and position them between the clay layers. The original creator uses four dowels, angled outward. Use water to connect the clay between the dowels. Smooth rough areas and manipulate the clay to add details to your liking. The original design features an open bottom, but you can cut clay to cover the opening. Then, let it dry completely. Flip it over to dry both sides.

Remove the dowels and the pool noodle. Sand the edges lightly if you want to remove any rough patches. Spray paint the hardened vase with stone spray paint or any color that matches your decor. Air-dry clay isn't waterproof, so this vase is best for dried or faux flowers in a beach-themed living room or a bedroom with a coastal aesthetic.