Showing posts with label Repurpose and Upcycle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Repurpose and Upcycle. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Goodwill Finds: From Plain to Pretty Candleholders for Less Than The Cost of One

 


I continue to "upscale" my Halloween decor.  Since PhD Man left for college I've switched out a bit each year. This year I knew I wanted some more candleholders to give height and depth to my Halloween decor so, masked up and went to my local Goodwill to see what I could find because as Makers, we're not going to go pay big money for the look we want right? 

Supplies: 

  • Thrifted Candleholders 
  • Acrylic Paints ( I used Craftsmart Dark Grey, Black  and Martha Stewart Metallic Titanium)
  • Antique Gold Rub n Buff

Here's what I found: three un related pieces that would work together


I have no idea what the one on the left is made of but it's heavy ! I cleaned  my finds to get any residue off and then got to work!

Step 1: 

After cleaning, removing stickers etc. paint with a base coat to make everything match. I used Craftsmart Acrylic paint from Michaels in Dark Grey:


I like how they almost look like cement but I wanted more shine. 

Step 2:

Once they were dry, I went back over them with Martha Stewart Metallic Titanium (also Michaels). But then they were too shiny! So I dabbed on a black glaze and wiped off to age them just the right amount. I'm like Goldilocks...too matte...too shiny...just right.


Step 3: 

I wanted to bring out the detail and the raised edges so I grabbed the Rub n Buff from my Faux Spooky Candle project and went over the raised areas, finishing the "buff" part with a soft cloth. 


I'm so happy with how the turned out and coordinate not only with each other but the rest of my decor! While I made these for Halloween decorating, I kept them versatile enough that I can use whenever. Total cost: $9 for all three pieces. 


Until next time...


















Monday, September 28, 2020

Halloween: Trash to Treasure Spooky Faux Candles


I've been on a bit of a "roll" lately. Pun intended. I have several projects I'm excited to share starting  with this one: Haunted Faux Candles made from repurposed craft rolls. We'd hoped to make another trip to Disneyland around this time but 2020 had other plans. Subconsciously, I think some of my Halloween ideas came from fond memories of things like the Haunted Mansion which this project reminds me of with its Gothic spookiness. 

Supplies: 
  • Empty Craft / Wrapping Paper / Paper Towel Rolls. I used empty vinyl rolls and an empty roll from some tulle. I prefer these to paper towel rolls because they're a bit thicker and heartier. 
  • Paint. I used Craftsmart Acrylics from Michaels
  • Hot Glue and Glue Gun. Stash
  • Rub n Buff. Available where fine art supplies are sold


Step 1: 
Drizzle hot glue along the top of your rolls to resemble dripping candle wax.


There's no right or wrong way to do this just drip drip here, drip drip there. 

Step 2: 
Once the glue has set, paint with color of your choice. I used white as shown. 



At this point it's personal preference how many coats of paint you use. I went back over with another coat then dry brushed with silver and black to age them. 

Step 3: 
Once you're satisfied with your candles, you can stop there unless you're me. I wanted to make these look elegant so I decided to highlight some of the candle drips using Antique Gold Rub N Buff. You can also do this with acrylic paint but there's a luster with the Rib N Buff that I love! 


It just so happened that a couple of the craft rolls were the right size to hold real tea light candles ( I won't burn these because "fire hazard" but I like the look) 


Where tea lights won't fit, you can rest an ornament. 




Next time, I'll share the candleholders I did for these! Until then...












Thursday, April 4, 2019

BFF Open House Link Party


Happy Friday Eve all! Whew. Another week gone by  just like that. Hope it was a good one for you. Let's take a look at some wonderful ideas from last week's party shall we?


Whether for Easter specifically or Spring Decor in general, these decoupaged eggs from Craftify My Love are a great touch of Spring. 


Tassels are everywhere from jewelry to all kinds of accessories. Domestic Bliss Squared has a great DIY tutorial to make these Layered Tassels so you can make as many as you like in all the colors you love! 


When people tease me about all the stuff I make, I joke that I have a "Martha Stewart Personality Disorder" because I'd rather DIY. Martha and I part ways though when it comes to gardening. Just never took to it. So this post from Repurpose and Upcycle on how to incorporate Air Plants into decor is right up my alley because I don't think even I can kill these. I bought some old sugar molds at a Junk Show that are screaming for these! 


With Girl Scout Cookie season over, you don't have to wait until next year to get your Thin Mint fix. Family Cookie Recipes has got you covered with these Homemade Thin Mints. 

Now let's see what everyone's been up to this week! Hoping this works smoothly as INLINKZ has switched over to a new format so bear with me if you can't link up right away! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Thursday, December 13, 2018

BFF Open House Link Party


Happy Friday Eve all. Can you believe we're already at the end of the second week of December? Preparations are kicking into high ( higher?) gear! 

Let's take a look at some inspiring ideas from last week's party!


If (unlike me)  you're down to the wrapping stage, The Organized Dream has some wonderful ideas to up your wrapping game. 


If you're still decorating or making handmade gifts, check out Our Hopeful Home for some very easy but elegant DIY Christmas Pillow ideas. 


Here's a new take on a DIY snow globe that's absolutely genius....a Dollar Store Gumball Machine! From Repurpose and Upcycle.

Finally, I love this idea for an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party from Mamas Wallet ( isn't that an accurate blog name?!) 


Complete with ideas for everything from invitations, printables, games, foods, and places for guests to get their sweaters or resources to make them. 

OK now let's see what you've all been up to this week !

   
   

Thursday, November 22, 2018

BFF Open House Link Party


Happy Thanksgiving US friends. I love having a holiday that's focused on gratitude and thankfulness. I'm ever thankful for all of you who choose to share your time and talents here. Hope you've had a wonderful day filled with great food and time spent with family and friends. 

And now the countdown truly begins to Christmas and Hanukkah comes super early this year. Yikes!  Let's take a look at some ideas from last week's party. 


Nothing says Winter and Christmastime coziness like a Hot Chocolate Bar. There's something about having things to choose from to make that cup of cocoa extra special. Check out this idea from Kippi At Home


Faeries and Fauna reminds us to bring a little Christmas cheer and romance into the bedroom with this beautiful  Chalkboard Sign. 


When you're out tomorrow (or shopping online) don't forget to add some clear ornaments to your cart so you can whip up some of these Farmhouse Style Ornaments shared by Artsy VaVa. Great for your own tree or as gifts! 


Save any jars from today and make some of these DIY Snow Globes! Shared by Repurpose and Upcycle

Now let's see what you've all been up to this week! 

   
   

Thursday, August 30, 2018

BFF Open House Link Party


Happy Friday Eve all and welcome to the last party of August! Can you believe it's September in a couple of days? I cannot. We're finally moved in and manically unboxing. 

Let's take a look at some ideas shared at last week's party OK? 


I'm smitten with the Industrial look that's so popular right now but even DIY'ing it can add up. Would you believe these are PVC? Much cheaper than buying metal and looks just as good! From Domestic Deadline


With Fall around the corner ( although this will be a different one for me...first one in the desert) how about a great sign idea from Fresh Vintage by Lisa S made from scrap pallet wood? 


Gold is everywhere in home decor right now but you don't need to run out and by new pieces. Update them, like Repurpose and Upcycle did with one of my favorite things, Rub N Buff! 


Finally, after all that creating, Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies are always a good idea. From A Day of Small Things

Now let's see what everyone's been up to this week ! 


   
   

Thursday, August 23, 2018

BFF Open House Link Party


Happy Friday Eve all! Hope you've all had a good week. Fingers crossed and next week's party should be brought to you from my "new" home. Been a long process but so excited. 

Let's see some ideas from last week's party shall we?


I'm going to have a lot of wall space to cover so this gorgeous piece from Artsy Va Va caught my eye! Doesn't it look like it could have been found in a Paris flea market? 


I've been in and out of so many home decor stores, living vicariously while waiting to have access to my own day to day stuff, far less seasonal decor. Love these Fall ideas from Master Pieces of My Life


OK another fab piece of DIY Wall Art. This time a wall map from Repurpose and Upcycle. I've seen these in the stores and ca-ching! 

OK let's see what everyone's been up to this week! 

   
   

Thursday, August 2, 2018

BFF Open House Link Party


Hi all and welcome to another BFF Open House here at The Answer Is Chocolate. Sadness in Casa Chocolate this week as we had to say goodbye to our precious furbaby of 16 years. It's the day every pet parent dreads. She's at peace and not suffering which is all we could possibly want. 

Looking through the links from last week's party helped a lot so thank you to all who linked up. Here are a few features!!


Repurpose and Upcycle is back with an amazing DIY Budget Friendly Beach Cottage Mudroom



Satsuma Designs shared the cutest Fairy Camp Party idea, complete with Fairy Houses. This would be as much fun for grownups as for kids and could be easily adapted for a Bridal or Baby Shower or just a girlfriends gathering. 


It was Harry Potter's Birthday this week and the 20th Anniversary of the book that  started it all. Harry has been a huge part of our lives and I can never resist a Harry Potter craft idea. These mugs from Surviving A Teacher's Salary are no exception. 


Finally , between this week and the fact that this pie applies to me, I had to feature this "Menopause" aka Chocolate Peanut Butter Dream Pie from  Marilyn's Treats. Yeah you do all the things you're supposed to ... eat right, exercise, mindfulness but let's be real. When you are a woman of a certain age and your hormones are going full tilt crazy, the answer really is chocolate. 


Now let's see what everyone's been up to this week!