Make a wall vase

Turn a shadow-box frame into a vessel for your favorite things from the garden or the florist.

Flowers or cuttings extend through the opening of a picture mat to create a vibrant and organic work of art that truly has a third dimension.

Group two or three frames on the wall or use one for a tabletop display. Change the background and cuttings for a new look each season.

Shadow-box frames and mats can be found at home or art-supply stores; floral pin frogs (spiked metal disks to keep cuttings in place) are available at floral-supply and craft shops.

You can line the back of the box with colored paper or fabric, or simply let the color of your wall shine through.

Materials

Each frame starts with a ready-made open-backed cube or shadow box deep enough to hold a small saucer. The measurements below are for the 10-by 10-in. cube shown below; adjust as needed to fit another cube size.

Picture mat with precut window (we used an 11- by 14-in. mat with a 3½- by 5½-in. window)

Wall cube or shadow box with mounting hardware (our cube, 10 by 10 in. and 6 in. deep, is from Target; $13) Ruler

Box cutter or utility knife
Sturdy cardboard (optional; our piece was 11 by 17 in.)
Colored paper or fabric (optional)
Glue stick (if using paper or fabric)
Transparent tape
Drill
Level
Screwdriver
Floral pin frog
Saucer deep enough to hold frog
Turkey baster for watering