'Dollar Stores Are My Favorite Place to Craft'—3 DIY Projects That Look Anything But Cheap
Looking to add a splash of summer style to your next gathering without breaking the bank? These three charming DIY projects prove that dollar store finds can create stunning, sophisticated décor. Here, design expert Kate Striegel—founder of ‘Chic on a Shoestring‘ decorating blog—shows how simple supplies—like glass vases, copper wire and grapevine wreaths—transform into eye-catching centerpieces, candlescapes and accents that look anything but budget-friendly.
Whether you’re hosting an intimate summer dinner party or sprucing up your outdoor space or tabletop, these easy crafts deliver maximum impact with minimal effort and cost. Get ready to impress your guests with beautiful, handmade touches that celebrate the season in style!
Beautify a space with a copper-kissed vase
“Dollar stores are still my favorite place to pick up super affordable supplies—like glass vases and floral wire—for crafting,” says Striegel, design pro and founder of the blog Chic on a Shoestring.
“Simply adding garden flowers to a glass vase and wrapping it with wire makes a big impact with little effort—it’s a perfect party favor or table accent.”
To do: Fill a glass vase with water. Snip flowers; insert into vase. Wrap copper floral wire around the vase. Jot down a sweet note like “thank you for joining us!” or “welcome!” onto a DIY paper tag; slip tag onto the wire.
Light up the evening with a simple candlescape
“An easy, wallet-friendly way to enhance ambiance at an outdoor dinner party is with candlelight,” says Striegel. “And the dollar store is a great spot to pick up candles in bulk—for less. Adding a few adornments will turn even the plainest pillars into a tabletop statement.”
To do: For each pillar candle, bend copper floral or crafting wire around the middle of the candle (you can bend the wire into shapes like a heart or even try an initial!). For extra flair, slip a bloom or two into the wire. Repeat and cluster candles together.
Tip: Striegel says using pliers in different shapes helps make curves and flatten copper wire to make interesting shapes.
Add charm with a floral circlet
“Grapevine wreaths are a great bang for your buck at dollar stores,” says Striegel. “They are so customizable. You can easily add faux or real flowers to them and the result is a striking circlet that adds whimsy and warmth to a fence post, front door—or anywhere!”
To do: Start with a plain grapevine wreath. Then cut handfuls of flowers in shades of yellow, white and purple, as shown. Attach blooms to the wreath using snippets of floral wire; work your way around the wreath until it’s mostly covered. Fill in gaps with filler like baby’s breath or greenery. Hang from a fence post, a door or a ladder.
Tip: Mist the wreath with a water-filled spray bottle to keep blooms lively.
For more cash-savvy decor ideas and pretty inspiration, follow Kate Striegel on Instagram @chiconashoestringdecorating.
This article originally appeared in the June 1, 2026 print issue of Woman’s World magazine.
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This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 6:00 PM.