DIY Nautical Rope Bee Hive: A Sweet Addition to Your Summer Décor

If you’ve been following along with my videos, you know I’m always on the lookout for budget-friendly, creative décor ideas. This latest project is abuzz with charm — a nautical rope bee hive made from a simple Dollar Tree vase, hot glue, and a few sunny embellishments. Perfect for a bee-themed tablescape or as a cheerful standalone piece, this craft is as fun to make as it is to display.

Supplies You’ll Need

• 1 clear vase (about 8” tall, 6” at its widest)
• Nautical rope (Dollar Tree)
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Black acrylic paint
• Faux flowers (I used mini sunflowers from Hobby Lobby as well as other random flowers I had on hand)
• Faux greenery sprigs (from what I had on hand)
• DIY wooden bees (or bee embellishments of your choice)
• Assorted ribbon (I used 3-4 coordinating styles)
• Sheer ribbon, twine, or a clear hair tie (for tying bow)
• Scissors
  

Step-by-Step Instructions...

1. Flip & Wrap
Turn your vase upside down so the base is now at the top. Starting from the bottom (now the narrow end), hot glue the nautical rope in place, wrapping it tightly and working upward toward the flat part. Cover the entire glass portion completely — and even go a bit beyond to give the hive that rounded, organic look. 

2. Create the “Hive Entrance”
Using black acrylic paint, add a circle to represent the hive’s entrance. Once the paint is dry, cut a small piece of nautical rope and hot glue it around the black circle as a border.

3. Add the Bees & Blooms
Glue your wooden bees around the hive for a whimsical touch. Next, hot glue mini sunflowers and a few greenery sprigs around the base of the hive entrance and up toward the top for a natural, garden-fresh vibe.

4. Make the Perfect “Foofed” Bow
Cut several ribbons (about 7 inches each) in different patterns and textures. Stack them crisscross style, then tie them together in the middle using sheer ribbon, twine, or even a clear hair tie. Fluff (“foof”) the ribbon ends, cutting dovetails for a clean finish. Hot glue the bow to the very top of your hive.

5. Style Your Hive
While your bee hive looks adorable sitting flat on a table, I love to give it a little lift. Try displaying it on a cake stand or riser for a charming focal point on your summer table. I paired mine with my bee-themed tablescape, and it stole the show.

Why You’ll Love This Project

• Budget-friendly: Most supplies come from Dollar Tree or your craft stash.
• Customizable: Change up the flowers, ribbon, or even rope color for a different look.
• Seasonal charm: Perfect for spring and summer displays — indoors or on a covered porch.
  

So grab your glue gun, a few sunny accents, and let’s get buzzing with creativity!