Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Repurposing Old Glassware


Here are some cute ideas for glassware that you may have hanging around.  It's a great way to use pieces that have lost their use in your home.  In other words, they are random pieces that need a new use and a new purpose.  The whole idea is to find nice plates or bowls that you like and glue them to candlestick holders.

Here are some examples:
  I found this metal candlestick in the Goodwill.  It was ugly and dark green so I painted it red.

 Below is a glass bowl that I also purchased in a thrift store.  Total cost: $2.00 for both.  The bowl was clear when I bought it.  It had raised "roses" on the bottom so I hit it with Rub N Buff.  This product (comes in small tubes) and works well with the tip of your finger. It also comes in many colors.  Just place a little on your finger and rub over the edges that are raised.  The effect is seen below.


When it's all dry I sprayed it with red spray paint.  Rustoleum is my spray of choice. It's very durable and permanent. 

Here's what it looks like from above the bowl. When the bowl and candlestick are all dry, glue them together. I use E-6000 glue.  Works great when attaching glass.

 Here is the same idea using a similar bowl.  This one was also clear, with ridges. The candlestick was clear glass as well.  I've used the Rub N Buff again and sprayed the entire piece black. I love the way this one looks. When they are all finished, these work great for serving candy or cookies.  I'm thinking they would be great around the holidays.





Here I have used small plates and sprayed the clear, glass candlesticks brown & black. I also added some glass beads at the base.  These work well as candy dishes.






They are very unusual and unique.  Would make great gifts too!  I would stick to hand washing them.  I'm currently trying this out for a cake plate.  

Christy






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Sunday, August 11, 2013

The Man In the Moon

Sometimes you find something and think to yourself, what can I do with this?  What was it, what does it need and what was it meant to be?  I call this vision.  Looking at a piece of junk and having the vision to repurpose it.

I found this candle holder in a thrift store and decided to make it new and different looking.  It was made out of brass and was hollow in the center. I'm not sure what was in the center to begin with, but a piece of colored glass would fill it in nicely.  Also, the candle holder (which is behind the piece) would light up the glass.

I sprayed the brass piece with some Rustoleum Hand hammered antique brass spray paint.
 Painted some yellow dots on the moon (IDK, it just looked like it needed some whimsy.


 Clear coated the entire piece to protect the paint and it's all finished!
Looks really cute with a candle behind it.

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Sunday, August 4, 2013






I saw this piece in a thrift store and fell in love with it!  It was so unique, very detailed on the legs, and for only 10 bucks: I had to take it home. It needed a good cleaning and some TLC.  The legs were a bit wobbly, so I put some glue into the recessed holes and clamped them for a couple of hours. It also needed a good cleaning, so I actually used the outdoor hose and washed it, letting it dry out in the sunshine.

I thought about the color and what to do with it.  The decision was to repaint it red and apply a black glaze.

Supplies:
wood glue for repair
clamps to hold it
red Rustoleum spray paint
Black, Valspar paint
sandpaper
rubber gloves
old t-shirts
paint brush


I've sprayed the entire piece using the Rustoleum spray paint.  I used this paint because it adheres so well and is very durable when it dries.  The piece was baked out in the sun for hours to dry.
The Valspar glaze is applied with a brush and then promptly wiped off, as you can see from the photo.


Look at the detail in this piece!  I just love how the black glaze that settles in the nooks and crannies of this piece.

Just beautiful!

Here is the piece all finished.  No need for any clear coat on this one.  It should hold up just fine.



Christy

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