The Dollar Tree Fishbowl Is Full Of Creative Uses

Dollar Tree is a crafter's paradise and offers an easy way to make budget-friendly projects galore. Perfect for both avid crafters and those just testing the waters, the store lets you explore your creative side without spending a bundle. The Dollar Tree "fishbowl," priced at $1.25, is a staple in many projects, often transforming into high-end decor like centerpieces, candle holders, and upscale vases. Although called a fishbowl by many, it should never be used for fish and is intended strictly for decorative or crafting purposes. It's technically sold under the name Clear Round Glass Floral Vase, so you'll find it in the glassware aisle. No matter what you call it, one thing is for sure: this is one versatile piece to add to your crafting arsenal.

Dollar Tree glassware is perfect for clever storage or decor, as the pieces' simple design means they can be painted, mounted, glued, or otherwise reworked into something new. Most of the creative fishbowl uses require minimal supplies, such as ribbon, wood blocks, and other pieces that can also be found at Dollar Tree or Amazon. Like many projects where you turn Dollar Tree glass vases into trendy decor, they won't stress your budget either, often coming in at less than $5 each. 

An adorable craft for classrooms or parties, this candy dish uses a Dollar Tree fishbowl, a terracotta flower pot, saucer, and a wooden ball. Dollar Tree doesn't sell terracotta pots, but you can find similar ones at Walmart, such as the Artevasi 2-inch Round Terracotta Clay. This project requires painting the upright flower pot to resemble an ice cream cone, then gluing the fishbowl on top. The saucer is painted to resemble a scoop of ice cream and topped with a wooden ball painted red (try Luomorgo Unfinished Natural Wooden Balls).

Getting the high-end boho look for less is easy with a fishbowl vase decorated with a textured look. After stacking and gluing three fishbowl vases, you'll mix 1 cup of baking soda with 1 cup of your chosen color paint. The combination of the two will infuse the paint with a matte appearance. Once dry, the vase takes on the appearance of handmade pottery. For an extra touch, you can sculpt white tubes from Curiosity Modeling Clay, then shape them into handles on the side before painting the entire piece.

Creating a centerpiece involves using Krylon Looking Glass spray paint, your favorite color spray paint, a fish bowl vase, glue, and a Tapered Glass Champagne Flute. You'll also need a spray bottle filled with equal parts distilled white vinegar and water. The fishbowl is glued onto an upside-down flute, then coated on the inside with the glass spray paint. Spritzing the spray paint with the vinegar and water solution creates a reaction that gives it the appearance of mercury glass, then you can add your favorite color spray paint before trimming with gems.

These fishbowl vases can be a wonderful way to create an attractive accent. Two fish bowls form the base of this rhinestone vase. The insides are coated with acrylic paint, then the outsides are dotted with Dollar Tree's Floral Garden Pearl Beads. Once the vases dry, you'll turn one upside down to glue together, then wrap a strand of Rhinestone Ribbon Self-Adhesive Strips around the middle. The finished result is an elegant vase suited for a shelf or tabletop display.

A coastal-style bathroom needs appropriate decor, and this is a "shore" thing. The quick project uses Dollar Tree's Floral Garden Decorative Nautical Rope, White Decorative Sand, a planter of any size or shape from the garden section, a bag of seashells, and some craft glue. Dollar Tree sometimes sells seashells, but if you want to make this off-season, try a pre-made package like Natural Sea Shell Mixed Ocean Shells Set. After gluing your shells around the fish bowl, you'll attach it to an upside-down planter, using the rope to conceal the glue spots before filling with sand.

Bunnies, Easter eggs, and florals can be showcased beautifully with these spring centerpieces. The project uses a fish bowl vase, an HD Pillar Candle Holder, along with the lids from the Jot Small Magnetic Round Tins. If your store doesn't have those in stock, the lid from the Compact Tin Candle should work as well. You'll also need acrylic paint in pastel shades. After painting the lids and the candle holder, glue the bottom of the fish bowl to the candle holder, then create a spring motif before topping it off with the lid.

When you need a home for succulents, visit the Dollar Tree for two fishbowl vases and Tumbling Tower Games. You'll also need a can of dark wood stain, which will cover every block in the two games. The project involves creating frames from the stained wood blocks, building three blocks high and three across, with the other six blocks high and three across to elevate the bowls. Affixing them requires a good wood glue, and you'll create an "X" with each set of blocks. Optionally add some White Marble Accent Stones to decorate the inside.

A sleek set of white vases with a rope accent is easy to make if you want to showcase a plant in a modern style. You'll need two Dollar Tree fish bowl vases, two of the Clear Glass Tealight Candleholders, and a roll of Garden Collection Jute Twine. A tealight holder is attached to the bottom of each fish bowl with craft glue, then all of it is painted white with a nice matte. Once the paint dries, you can wrap twine around the base or top of the bowl, then add your favorite potted plant. This project could look just as luxurious painted in a rich black or gold. 

If you want to practice sustainable gift-giving, replace your usual choice of gift bags or boxes with a fishbowl vase. Layering in some shredded paper filler, decorative rosettes, and other recyclable materials will help a candle, lotion, or other smaller items stand out. Finish it up by wrapping the whole thing in a beautiful cloth and tying it with ribbon or twine. Now your recipient has their gift, a functional vase, and a cloth they can reuse.

Layering decoupage napkins or other paper on the inside of the fishbowl lets you create a beautiful decorative vase or bowl. Choosing a napkin featuring foil or other metallic accents adds a shimmery style to the final piece and helps obscure the clear glass with a haze. Once your decoupage dries, you can arrange a bright bouquet of flowers in the vase for an elegant spring accent. 

Nearly everything you need to make a natural jute candle holder can be found at Dollar Tree. You'll start with two bundles of the Nautical Rope, one roll of Lace Ribbon, and one roll of Burlap Ribbon, along with glue. After weaving the rope into a large braid, you will wrap it around the fishbowl vase, gluing it in place. Adding burlap and lace ribbon accents creates a rustic yet chic holder for an LED candle.

When you want to inject a little 70s glam into your decor, try making your own DIY disco ball decor with a Dollar Tree fishbowl vase. This easy craft involves covering the bowl entirely with mirrored stickers. When you're done, it will look just like a shimmering disco ball vase, perfect for flowers, LED candles, or storage. Try using an option like the Bertok Self-Adhesive Mirror Stickers to create the look.