One of the best parts of thrifting is finding unexpected treasures that can be reimagined into something both beautiful and functional. On a recent thrift trip, I came across a classic mini blue-and-white ginger jar for a whopping THREE DOLLARS!!! I remembered seeing a fun craft on Martha Stewart’s (the queen!) social media about a woman named Ashley Poskin who turned a thrifted teapot into a flower frog, and I knew I had to try it with this little ginger jar! With just a few tools and a bit of patience, I transformed this jar into a charming floral helper, and today I’m showing you how to do the same.
Spoiler alert: this project works beautifully with a range of vessels—think teapots (Ashley’s go to), soup tureens, sugar bowls, or even lidded candy dishes. It can probably become a flower frog if it has a lid and can hold water!
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DIY Flower Frog – What You’ll Need:
- A thrifted ginger jar (or similar lidded vessel); you can also find beautiful ones on eBay or Etsy
- Painter’s tape or masking tape (optional)
- Permanent marker
- Drill
- Diamond drill bit(s) – ideally 1/4″ or 3/8″ size (I prefer 3/8″ after trying both. also, if you only plan to drill a couple of holes – i.e. make one or two flower frogs – a cheap diamond bit will be just fine! If you plan to make lots of these or drill holes in other ceramics, like in my tiered tray tutorial, I recommend investing in a higher-quality bit, like this one!)
- Safety goggles
- Beach towel
- Bowl of water or spray bottle
- Sandpaper or a ceramic sanding stone (optional, for smoothing rough edges if needed)
How To:
Step 1: Check That Your Vessel Is Watertight
Before you start drilling, test your jar for leaks. Fill it with water and let it sit on a paper towel for 15–30 minutes. If the towel stays dry and there are no drips, you’re good to go! If your jar seeps water, consider sealing the interior with a waterproof sealant—or choose a different vessel. I’d hate for you to drill into a thrifted treasure only to find out it won’t work as a great flower frog after all!
Step 2: Plan Your Hole Placement
Remove the lid from your jar and decide how many holes you’d like to drill. 5–7 evenly spaced holes usually work well for smaller lids, while larger ones can handle more. Use a permanent marker or pencil to mark your spots.
Tip: Try to avoid placing holes too close to the edge or to each other. Give each hole about a finger’s width of space around it to prevent cracks. If using a lid like those on a ginger jar, be wary of the inside lip of the lid. I ensured all of my holes were closer to the top center part of the lid to avoid drilling into the inner lip!
Step 3: Tape It Up (optional)
Place painter’s tape across the surface of the lid where you’ll be drilling. This can help prevent the drill bit from slipping and gives you a bit more control. Mark your hole spots again directly on top of the tape.
Full disclosure – I tried this and was not a fan. I actually found my drill slipped more because the bit needs to be wet, making the tape extra slippery. But I know people who swear by this step, so you do you!
Step 4: Time to Drill
Place the lid on a folded-up towel to keep it steady and protect the surface below. Put on your safety goggles.
Now, for drilling:
- Use a diamond-tipped drill bit, which is ideal for ceramic and porcelain. Mine was 1/4″.
- You’ll need water to cool the drill bit and minimize cracking — either mist the area with a spray bottle or dip the bit and lid periodically into a shallow bowl of water. Make sure you keep the bit wet throughout the drilling process – respraying with water often.
- Drill slowly and gently, starting at an angle to give the bit a “bite,” then straightening up once it starts to cut.
- Don’t apply too much pressure; let the drill do the work.
Patience is KEY! It took me about 7-10 minutes PER hole here!
Step 5: Smooth the Edges (Optional)
Once you’ve drilled all your holes, you may notice some roughness around the edges. Use a bit of sandpaper or a ceramic file to gently smooth the rims to protect delicate flower stems.
Step 6: Assemble and Arrange!
Pop the lid back on your new DIY flower from, fill the base with water, and begin arranging your blooms. The holes in the lid will help hold stems upright and spaced, making it easier to create that loose, garden-style look.
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Bonus Inspiration: Go Beyond the Ginger Jar
Don’t stop at ginger jars! Once you get the hang of this DIY Flower Frog technique, you can apply it to a range of thrifted finds:
- Soup tureens – Perfect for larger arrangements on a dining table.
- Teapots – Adorable and unexpected, especially if the lid has a little knob handle.
- Sugar bowls or ceramic canisters – Great for smaller bouquets or herbs.
I actually used a $5 vintage casserole dish and made a second flower frog and I could not love it more! I honestly want to turn everything into a flower frog at this point!
Keep your eyes open at the thrift store—you might be surprised what can be turned into a charming and functional flower frog!
Final Thoughts
Repurposing vintage finds is one of my love languages! It’s so fun and satisfying, and often costs just a few dollars! With just a few drilled holes, that ginger jar collecting dust on the thrift store shelf can become a beloved piece in your floral toolkit. So next time you’re thrifting, think beyond the original purpose—your next flower frog might be hiding in plain sight.
Happy flower arranging!
XO, Ana
For the flower frog casserole dish, what is the gold base called and where might I find one?
it was the base off a vintage lamp that my mom disassembled years ago!