I recently stumbled across a stunning antique ceramic vase from the 1910s—wrapped in rustic wire and dripping with primitive charm. It had all the character I love in old-world decor. The only problem? The price tag was well over $150. As much as I adored it, I just couldn’t justify that splurge, especially with how quickly home decor trends come and go.
So I did what any determined DIYer would do—I made my own.
The Inspiration
The original was called a “baked wire ceramic vase,” and its hand-wrapped wirework reminded me of the jewelry I used to make when my kids were little. I had an old pot collecting dust, so I grabbed it and decided to give it a second life.
The Wire Hunt
Finding the right wire took some trial and error. I ordered and returned several before I finally landed on one that felt just right: a dark brown Floral Stem Wire. It had the perfect mix of strength and flexibility for this look.
The Wrapping Process
I printed out a photo of the original and started by wrapping the wire around the top and base of the pot. Then I went in with vertical lines, followed by horizontal ones—slowly recreating the netted pattern. It’s not an exact match, but that’s the beauty of it. It’s mine.
The Finish
Once the wire was secured, I spritzed the vase lightly with water to give it some texture. Then, using a chip brush, I applied Fusion Alchemy Onyx for a deep, rich base. After it dried, I went in with my liming glaze:
DIY Liming Glaze Recipe:
• 1 part Fusion’s Alabaster paint
• 2–3 parts Fusion’s Clear Glaze
• Mix until smooth. Thin slightly with water if needed.
I applied the glaze with a brush, then blotted gently with a lint-free cloth for a weathered effect. Next came a dry-brushed touch of Terracotta, which added just the right amount of warmth. I repeated this layering until it looked aged and timeworn—just like the original.
The Final Touch
Once everything was dry, I added a whisper of dark walnut wax. This is one of my go-to finishes for adding depth and age to any surface.
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Products Used:
• Fusion Alchemy Chalk Paint:
• Onyx
• Terracotta
• Alabaster (for glaze)
• Fusion Clear Glaze
• Dark Walnut Wax
• Chip brush & lint-free cloths
Save 10% on Fusion paints and products with code:
vintagefurniturefindsfmp
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This project cost me a fraction of the original—and gave me something even better: the satisfaction of creating it myself.
