Thursday, January 25, 2018

Candlesticks Makeover From Drab to Fab - A Thrift Store Upcycle


Welcome to the first of many Thrift Store Upcycle Challenges in 2018! I've joined a group of talented bloggers sharing with you upcycle projects of items found at thrift stores, resale stores or garage sales that have been transformed into a new decorative piece! And the best part, there's no monthly theme or budget! You just can't get any better than that for this challenge!

This post contains links to products, if you purchase something after clicking on my link I may earn
a small commission (at no extra cost to you).
The Rules:
  • Upcycle an item(s) from a thrift store, resale store, or garage sale into a new piece of decor.
  • There's no monthly theme.
  • There's no budget to stick to.

Meet the Hosts

Victoria | Dazzle While Frazzled  Marie | DIY Adulation
Michelle | Our Crafty Mom  Debra | Shoppe No. 5

 Be sure to follow our board on Pinterest for more upcycled decor inspirations!

I'm excited to share with you how I transformed plain, drab, stained brass candlesticks I found at Goodwill into fabulous, chic, crystal enhanced accessories! You see so many dull and dirty brass items at thrift stores and most times you don't really pay attention and casually pass them by. But when I came across these candlesticks hiding in the back of some others, I was quickly drawn to their height. You don't usually see tall candlestick holders among the group - oh, I take that back! I did see another set in a different part of the store which I also bought - but one upcycle at a time, lol! I loved the clean lines of this set and the cost - $6.00! What a bargain!

You can see that they're badly stained with something(not rust)and a bit crooked if you turn them a certain way. I made a mess at first using Brasso trying to clean them up. But that didn't work!
So I tried liquid Bar Keepers Friend and a sponge to remove it all, uncovering a lovely finish. Bar Keepers Friend is truly my friend! What a quick fix!
As for creating an updated look. You know I love purple and you know that I've used crystal rocks before in my projects, as seen here and here - but only for the holidays. So it's time to do something for an everyday look - something really nice and special!
And since I had lots of purple crystals left over from a three pound bag that I had, there was no additional cost!



This is how to give the metal candlesticks a stylish makeover:

Using a hot glue gun, begin gluing on the crystal rocks to the base of the metal stem.  
Continue gluing the crystal rocks around the stem, moving up towards the top. It's quite easy to arrange and glue the shapes of the rocks along the stem . . .

like putting pieces of a puzzle together. 
Although I could have completely covered the stem, I stopped just short of the top base to let the stem be part of the look,too!

The finished crystal covered candlesticks look very stylish just standing there all on their own!

Here's a tidbit:
Did you know real amethyst crystals have their own healing power and represents good feng shui in your home?

How gorgeous is this look with LED candles . . .
all lit up!
I love how the crystals enhance the candlesticks!
One last look!



What a fabulous thrift store makeover!





And now for more thrifty goodies!
Check out what my fellow upcyclers created below!

18 comments:

  1. I love these! What a fantastic idea to add gorgeous color to thrift store candlesticks. Thanks for the awesome idea!

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  2. How pretty, Gail! It's great to find items like those at thrift stores that are just waiting for a makeover.

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  3. I love Bar Keepers Friend too, it's amazing stuff. And your candlesticks are lovely. You could use any color crystals for your decor. They were kind of meh before but now just the added bling and bulk and they look brand new.

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  4. Love the crystal look! It also add some dimension to the candlesticks.

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  5. These are so pretty Gail. I love amethysts and so good to know about their attributes too..... Not just another pretty rock. A great thrift store makeover!

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  6. What a great find!! I would’ve snapped those pretty candlesticks up too. Great project and I’m loving the purple.

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  7. Wow, those are very pretty and eye-catching! Such an improvement over what was. I think it's a very fun look. About how big are the individual crystals?

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  8. Very pretty, love the sparkle, and the color to. I love how tall they are to. Super cute!

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  9. This idea is so creative. You have inspired me to look closer at the objects at my local Goodwill and thrift stores. I would have glanced once at those candle sticks, and walked on by. Now, I don't think I will look at "less-than-perfect" items the same way. My mind is opened. I'll have to pay attention to more than glass and dishes. Thank you so much.

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  10. I love purple, too! I need to find some of that brass bar cleaner stuff. I have a very cool carved plate from Egypt that could use a good cleaning for sure.

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  11. These are gorgeous. They look so glamorous dressed in the purple crystals. And thanks for the info about liquid Bar Keepers Friend.

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  12. Now they bling. Love your creativity with the purple crystal rocks! They are perfect in your vignette. I never would have thought to use crystal rocks. That is why I love this upcycle challenge so much, new ideas!

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  13. Looks like candy! Great update.
    :) gwingal

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  14. Wow! These are so sparkly and fancy! I love those purple crystal rocks too. I would have never thought to glue them to candlesticks. You are very creative!!

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  15. Wow these look really fabulous Gail. The purple crystals really make them look so special.

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  16. Oh my goodness! These are just gorgeous!

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  17. You’re featured on Diply! I was so excited when I recognized your work <3

    http://diply.com/savvy-diys-upcycle-all-things?publisher=recommendations&config=20

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  18. I still am amazed when I see barkeepers at work.

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