DIY Tropical Drinkware

It’s summer! It is JUST starting to feel like summer here in Southern California. We have something called “gray May “June gloom” and that is extremely accurate. It really isn’t until July that we start to have nice weather, especially in the beach towns. I live in Manhattan Beach, and I have been waiting for a nice day! Luckily we are getting there. Today, we had a day that finally felt like summer.

For everyone basking in the summertime sun, I have a really fun DIY! When I think of warm weather, I think of the tropics! So, how about a tropical flower punch bowl, coconut cups with umbrella straws, and a palm leaf decanter? The step out is below, and video coming soon!

Materials for Coconut Cups with Cocktail Umbrella Straws

• Coconut cups; can buy on amazon

• Paper straws

• Scrapbook paper

• Hole punch

• Scissors

• Hot glue gun

Materials for Tropical Flower Punch Bowl

• Punch bowl

• Cups

• Ladle for punch bowl

• Glue

• Artificial tropical flowers and palms

Materials for Palm Decanter

• Green oven bake clay

• Glass decanter

• X-acto knife

• Super glue; optional

• Rolling pin; or something similar

Directions for Coconut Cups

1. Cut the scrapbook paper out into a circle. 2. Use the hole punch to punch a hole in the center of the circle. 3. Fold the circle in half, then in half a couple more times to create lines around the “umbrella.” 4. Unfold. 5. Cut a slit with a pair of scissors into the circle, cutting from the bottom to the hole in the middle. 6. Place the paper in the top 1/3 of the straw and fold the paper over itself to create an “umbrella” look around the straw; secure with glue. 7. This will create a cocktail umbrella straw.

Directions for Punch Bowl

1. Attach the artificial palms onto the outside of the top of the punch bowl with the glue. 2. Continue to layer with other artificial tropical flowers. NOTE: The cups and ladle can be decorated as well

Directions for Decanter

1. Roll out the clay to about 1/8-1/4 inch thick using the rolling pin. 2. Use a freehand a palm leaf shape using the x-acto knife to cut, use a leaf template or cookie cutter to cut out the palm shape. 3. If a template is needed (if you do not want to freehand), then you can print a picture online and trace it. 4. Cut out as many leaves as desired to go onto the decanter. 5. Place the decanter in the oven and bake according to the temperature on the clay instructions; generally, is it 275 and 15 minutes for every 1/4 inch. 6. Remove the decanter, carefully, from the oven and allow it to cool completely. 7. If any leaves do not stick well to the glass, you can secure them with super glue.

NOTE: Hand wash only!