Hands on

The project
A chalkboard vase that displays flowers and your personal scribbles and sketches

What you’ll need
One glass vase with a smooth surface ($2–$6 at any secondhand store); a dry cloth; four sheets of newspaper; one can of Rust-Oleum chalkboard spray paint ($6 at Ace Hardware; for locations, visit acehardware.com); one package of chalk ($1–$3 at Blick Art Materials; for locations, visit dickblick.com)

The steps
1. Wash the vase thoroughly in hot water and dry it with the cloth. 2. In a well-ventilated room, spread the sheets of newspaper on a flat surface. Place the vase upside down on the paper. 3. Hold the spray paint can about 12 inches away from the vase and spray in smooth, even strokes to coat lightly. Let each coat dry completely (about 20 minutes) before applying another coat. Three to four coats should give even coverage. 4. Allow the vase to dry overnight and use the chalk to add a design. (You can write messages like i’m sorry or happy birthday. If you’re having a party and don’t want to answer the question “What type of flower is this?” repeatedly, write hyacinth. Or draw a pattern if words aren’t your thing.) 5. Fill the vase with water and add your favorite flowers. Total cost and assembly time: Approximately $15; two hours.