Upcycled, recycled, repurposed: I just love all of these terms and the entire concept of seeing old things in a new light! Of course, this is nothing new; our ancestors were doing this out of
necessity! If they needed a blanket, or a table or bed, they couldn't exactly run to the mall or grab the latest Pottery Barn catalog and place an order! No, they took the things they already had (things that we most likely would throw away now days!), and created something new and useful out of them!
Today I wanted to show you my latest upcycling project. Actually, this was a collaboration between hubby and myself. I had picked up a couple of old wooden spindles at Habitat for Humanity's ReStore back last winter. I just knew they would be the basis of a fun project. Well, they sat in the closet until the other day, when hubs helped me make these candlesticks!
This is the "before":
And this is the "during":
I just love it when I can tell my handy hubby what I would like, and he works his magic! One spindle became two candlesticks.
After painting and distressing them, I gave them a hand rubbed wax finish. I know what you must be thinking:
"What, she's not going to use Ralph Lauren's antiquing glaze?" I know, I use it on just about everything! But, I loved the way these candlesticks looked as is, so I decided against it.
I put them in my
Etsy shop, so that only means one thing: The next spindle will become candlesticks for
us!!
Here's one last look:
Hope you have a great weekend! Oh, did any of you participate in "Black Friday"? If so, you are very brave! The only shopping you will catch me doing this weekend is either in the catalog or on line. Now, that's
my kind of shopping!
I am linking up with the following great parties:
Chic on a Shoestring Flaunt it Friday
504 Main Tickled Pink Friday
Funky Junk Interiors SNS
Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday
Cottage Instincts Make it For Monday
Dittle Dattle Linky Party
Faded Charm White Wednesday
Beyond the Picket Fence Under $100 Party
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This is absolutely gorgeous!!! I love how perfectly seamless your husband made this, and your finish is wonderful, RL or not!
ReplyDeleteHi Donna~~~your candlesticks are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI had to catch up on previous posts while here...your little bistro setting is darling. I really LOVE those Christmas ornaments you put together! they are just beautiful, girl!!!
I am enjoying my "pretties" from you as I sit here and blog today.
Hugs,
Debbie@lakehouse
Perfect use for those spindles. I love the shabby white paint. I loath crowds too. I'm safely home...far far away from parking lots. I'm digging through my Christmas tubs. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI like this idea and am bookmarking for a future project. I have about 15 of these oak spindles left from 15 years ago when we built our house. I knew there had to be something I could do with them!
ReplyDeleteDonna, these are gorgeous! Love what you've done to make these simple spindles into gorgeous candlestick holders!
ReplyDeleteDonna, I always love your projects and this one is so much fun- you'll be able to use these anywhere, anytime!
ReplyDeleteI do not do Black Friday! It is too dangerous out there!
Hugs- Tete
Donna- Those turned out great. Do you think your hubster could give mine a few "how-to" tricks? He is so good at directing that he never learned to DO! Just not his thing..although he is anxious to start working on The Pearl..we'll see how THAT goes.
ReplyDeleteYou know I have been looking for that Ralph Lauren antiquing glaze and can't find it. I wonder if they quit making it...or maybe it's just not available in our limited store area. I can't find Valspar either. Guy looked at me like I'd grown a 3rd head when I asked for it. Said WHAT? I said...never mind...
My daughter took Lulu (age 8) and they met my daughter's friend and her daughter (age 8 also) at 5am this morning to go shopping. I met them at Starbucks on my way to work and gave TPot all the coupons from yesterday's paper. At noon they took the girls home and went back out. I just talked to her and she is just finishing up. I would just as soon put a pitchfork through my foot as go Christmas shopping on Black Friday...well, I kinda feel that way on ANY Friday! I'm with you- Internet all the way! Yay! xxoo Diana
Okay- I got so carried away blabbing that I meant to tell you first that those candlesticks turned out beautifully! What a great idea. I think they were old stair posts to begin with? Perfect idea to place the blocks on them to finish them off. I hope you keep the 2nd set! hugs-Diana
ReplyDeleteHi Donna,
ReplyDeleteI think you did a great job repurposing and redoing....these candlesticks are wonderful!
hugs
Sissie
Wow - these are fantastic. They came out great. Now I will be obsessing about these candlesticks. Like I did the wooden scoop. You did an amazing job.
ReplyDeleteThose turned out great--a one-of-a-kind set. Nice job.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty! And how fortunate to have that hubby of yours on DIY alert. :) Really creative use for spindles.
ReplyDeleteDonna
Hi! I am your newest follower from a Friday Blog Hop. I would love it if you would follow back at one or all four of my blogs :)
ReplyDeletewww.singleparentretreat.com
http://singlemamachallenges.blogspot.com/
http://motherdaughterconnection.blogspot.com/
http://jmconsultingservices.blogspot.com/
Have a wonderful weekend!
they look gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWonderful job!
ReplyDeleteI love creative ideas and yours are even better by re-cycling!!!
ReplyDeleteVery nice! Also nice to have a handy hubby!
ReplyDeleteHi, Donna. These turned out great! Hubby and I never do projects together...this is the key to our happy marriage! lol So glad you entered my giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThat's what i want for Christmas..a handy partner..
ReplyDeleteThey look great, especially since they are slightly different, yet related..I like that quirkiness..
How cute. Happy 1. Advent.
ReplyDeleteThe Bavarian Christmas linky party is now open-won’t you come and join us at http://dobermans-by-the-sea.blogspot.com/2010/11/1st-christmas-linky-party-at-dobermans.html
Hi Donna,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visit to my White and Gray Christmas. I love anything that inspires creative works of art...Your candlesticks inspire a festive candle-lit holiday :)
Love the white girl.
Keep inspiring us all.
xx
Dore
Hello Donna! So glad you gave me a visit so I could find your blog! Great project, they turned out great! I love that more and more people are going green these days! Hope you have a great Sunday! I will be back soon.
ReplyDeleteTheresa
aka:TOT
Love those candlesticks, Donna! It's always so fun visiting here to see what new creative thing you're up to.
ReplyDeleteThe only shopping I did on Friday was to one of my favorite antiques shops holiday sale. I have no desire to wrestle with the crowds out there the day after Thanksgiving either... lol!!
Have a wonderful day!
~ Jo :)
They came out GREAT! And you are so right, if we all reduced, reused and recycled (sorry to sound like Bob the Builder there), just think about how much waste we'd reduce nationwide! I'm not a tree-hugger but it does kill me when people just toss stuff. So many better things to do with stuff - upcycle, donate, etc.
ReplyDeleteOkay I'm off my soapbox now! =)
Jeanine
These are so great. Love, love, love them.
ReplyDeleteLove these. What a great idea!
ReplyDelete~Heidi
Fabulous!!! That spindle was a real find :D
ReplyDeleteI'm your newest follower
I would be honored to have you add it to my blog party
Amaze Me Monday Blog Party
Very cool. I'm inspired. And, a new follower.
ReplyDeletethat looks great, i love the finish you did on them!
ReplyDeletewww.thecapeonthecorner.blogspot.com
I am so in love with these spindles!
ReplyDeleteYour're the best!
Thank you for linking up to the first ever "Amaze Me Monday" blog party.
LOVE these!!! Awesome job!!
ReplyDeleteThese look great! What a nice hubby to help create your vision!
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love. Glad you got them out of the closet. The wreath is cool too. What is it made from?
ReplyDeleteThese look wonderful, Donna, what a great project! Of course you need a set for yourself!
ReplyDeleteFabulous blog and I love your eco-chic transformation! I'm a new follower from Amaze Me Monday.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays to you!
http://SallyLeeByTheSea.com
Great idea. I love re-using things :)
ReplyDeleteI'm your newest follower. Will you follow me back?
www.uvinyl.blogspot.com
Great candlesticks-I can think of lots of places I'd put those!
ReplyDeleteLOVE! I really need some candlesticks like this...great upcycle!
ReplyDeleteThese are great! I am in the process of making some from some old balusters and some legs I cut off some tables for my plant stand.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great transformation--Thanks for linking up to Beyond the Picket Fence's Under $100 Party.
ReplyDelete