DIY Faux Galvanized Vase Made from a Cracker Box

Make a faux galvanized vase from a cracker box with free graphic stencil

Upcycle a cracker box into this Faux Galvanized Vase and create a beautiful flower arrangement for spring. I love the galvanized look but oftentimes buying the real thing can be way overpriced. I created a similar faux metal look with these Paper Mache Letters. For this project I will show you how to create the galvanized look with no metal needed and no waiting around for years for the galvanized look to appear naturally.  You can get the look NOW!  

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SUPPLIES FOR FAUX GALVANIZED VASE

• Item to be galvanized – I used a saltines crackers box
• Rust – Oleum Hammered Spray paint in Silver
• Acrylic paint in a rust color – I mixed Folk Art in Coffee Bean with Folk Art Metallic in Inca Gold
• Acrylic paint in a light gray color – I mixed Americana in Grey Storm and Americana Snow White
• Sea sponges
• Stencil made from Silhouette Cameo
• Mod Podge (optional)
• Acrylic paint in Americana Lamp Black
• Pouncer or paint brush
• Flowers – I purchased mine at Michaels.

STEPS FOR FAUX GALVANIZED VASE

Step 1) Trim your box to your desired size.  My box ended up being 8 inches tall, by the time I was done trimming it. Spray paint the box with gray spray paint (I don’t really think this step is necessary, but because the gray spray paint was in the original picture I thought I would let you know). Once this dried I spray painted a couple coats of Rust – Oleum Hammered Spray paint in Silver. It seemed that the heavier the coat the better the hammered look appeared. Allow the spray paint to dry. Step 2) Now it is time to give the vase the galvanized finish.  I mixed the Folk Art in Coffee Bean with Folk Art Metallic in Inca Gold to achieve a rusty color I was happy with. Then I dipped a sea sponge in the paint, blotted the excess paint off and applied it on all the edges and folds in an up and down motion. Then using the mixture of the Americana in Grey Storm and Americana in Snow White I created a very light gray paint.  I repeated the same technique as the rust part but this time I applied the light gray randomly allover the flat surfaces over the hammered spray paint.  I also used it to blend in the rusty paint edges. As an afterthought (well it was my husbands idea) I repeated this process inside the box as well only in the top section.  This further helped it take on the galvanized look.  

Step 3) Stencil time. I created a stencil with my Silhouette Cameo, centered it and applied it to the box. If you would like the Fresh Flower graphic stencil you can get it in my FREE Resource Library (for personal use only). 

To prevent any paint from bleeding under the stencil I applied one layer of Mod Podge with a small paintbrush to the stencil and let it dry. I then painted the stencil in Americana Lamp Black acrylic paint using a pouncer with an up and down motion. I also found some flowers at Michaels.  Once the stencil dried I arranged the flowers. 

I can’t believe how well the galvanized finish turned out and I can’t wait to try it out on other materials. When friends visit it is amazing how many people think this is actual metal and are so surprised to find out that it is a cracker box.I hope this faux galvanized technique has given you some fresh ideas of what you can upcycle around your house.

You can get access to this Fresh Flowers stencil and tons of other printables, graphics and designs by visiting my Resource Library. If you would like access please complete the form below.