Parisian themed shadow box project

I have seen so many neat ideas in blog land using wooden candlesticks, so I was excited to find two of them, on two separate trips to the Goodwill.  At only 25 cents each, I couldn't pass them up!  I wish that I had taken a before picture of the one I used for this project, but it was before I started my blog!  Anyway, the poor thing was decoupaged with tiny pheasants!  I am sure that the cashier wondered why on earth I would want such a silly looking candlestick!  Now, I have nothing against pheasants!  They are pretty birds, but decoupaged on a candlestick???!  I thought that I wouldn't have any trouble removing them with goo gone, but those little pheasants weren't going anywhere!  I finally had to sand them off!  And it took a lot of sanding!

I am sorry that I don't have a step by step tutorial for you (now that I have a blog, I promise to bet better about that!), but I first epoxied a wooden round circle from Hobby Lobby to the base of the candlestick, then epoxied a wooden shadow box from Michael's to the top of the candlestick.  I borrowed my hubbies clamps to hold it all together, and when it was dry, I topped it off with a wooden finial from Hobby Lobby.  I love finials!  Once the entire piece was dry, I was ready to prime & paint. (I first removed the glass and backing from the shadow box.)  Since I didn't have exactly the color that I wanted for the shadow box, and because I am cheap thrifty, I mixed two colors of paint that I already had til I found a shade that I liked. I really like all of the aquas that are in right now, so I was happy with the end result.  I gave her two coats, and after drying, I lightly sanded then followed with my friend Ralph, as in Lauren.  I am in love with his "smoke"  antiquing glaze!

Deciding what to use on the inside of the shadow box was a no brainer!  I have gotten so many gorgeous images from the Graphics Fairy.  If you haven't been to her site, be sure and check her out!  Karen adds beautiful vintage images each day and is so generous to share them!  I fell in love with the vintage Parisian travel guide image, so I Mod Podged (did I also tell you that I love Mod Podge?  I think I am addicted to the stuff?!!) the image to the inside backing of the shadow box.  I am really happy with how she turned out!  I ended up selling it in my Etsy shop.  Now I want one myself!
I am linking this to Brag Monday over at The Graphics Fairy.
And Shanty to Chic's I made it without my hubby