Monday, January 20, 2014

Old Vases From Clutter to Chic


florist vases, recycle, upcycle, candleholder, distressed painting, Looking Glass spray
From donated to repurchased to repurposed chic.

I love the idea of upcycling those annoying florist vases that pile up until you are forced to either think of a way to use them or donate them.

When I saw Jamie's candleholders at (Anderson and Grant) created from the vases, I knew I wanted to try it with some TWISTS.




Remember I bought these three vases from the SPCA Thrift Store last weekend (Read here).

One of which I had previously donated!

My Twist?


Looking Glass Spray!

I carefully sprayed the inside of each with a few drops of water added.

I swirled and swirled and swirled.

I did try blowing softly into the vases to speed the drying, but let me tell you, I became close to inebriated from the fumes.

NOT A GOOD THING!



I wanted the heavier Looking Glass spray around the top of each vase.

I mixed a super gloopy mix of gesso, mushroom craft paint, and grout.

It was really thick.   

I used a foam brush to get in the crevices.











Okay, I started to stop here.

Aren't they lovely?

Lightly sanded the paint to show the details.














I had been in the middle of making tags and, luck would have it, I had three which were perfect for these vases-turned-candleholders.

Ballerinas!!!

With tulle.

With silver accents.

With stamped French script.

Ballerinas!!!






Using silver beading wire I tied the tag and wrapped it around the neck of the vase.
















Love the color.

Love the mirror effect.

Love the distressing.

Love the tags.  (Of course!)

I do not love the fact I did not notice one candle was crooked.

C'est la vie!







Even if I did put two coats of satin craft varnish on them, they cannot be used for vases anymore if water is involved.

Water might ruin the mirror spray inside.


These will gradually become more and more distressed as time goes by.

I doubt they will go to the landfill any time soon.

I will enjoy them for a few days then list them in the Etsy Shop.

Or maybe not.


A big, huge THANK YOU to Jamie at Anderson and Grant  for this great idea. 

Ballerina image from The Graphic Fairy.

See y'all!






Use this discount code to receive 10% off your purchase at the Distressed Donna Etsy store:

DISTRESSEDDONNA14

SHOP HERE! 








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27 comments:

  1. Oh I love those vases! I wish I hadn't gotten rid of mine, but I'm sure I'll come across some. I have yet to mess with the looking glass spray, but I plan to. You know I love it when you make tags!

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  2. Those vases are fabulous Donna! I love the combination of the silver and white. I haven't tried the looking glass paint yet but I have been wanting to. I think it's high time I did!
    Blessings, Vicky

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  3. Very nice! I really need to start upcycling things. I always have intentions to...lol

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  4. Loving those vases. What an incredible transformation. I am your newest follower on bloglovin. The vases look like mercury glass - my fav!
    Patty at Home and Lifestyle Design

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  5. You totally transformed them, Donna...lovely project!

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  6. Love these! And you made them candle holders, what a great idea! Question...Is that a white on the outside or is that just the photo? Just wondered if you used just the mercury glass color.

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  7. Wow Donna, this is a fabulous trash to treasure post. So pretty :)

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  8. I love how the vases turned out. I think I might have to try it, too!

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  9. They are pretty. Would like to see this on a big big bottle too.

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  10. Wow! Your vases turned out fabulous!! So pretty!

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  11. These vases are so pretty--I like the touch of silver at the top, and the ballerina cards are lovely.

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  12. I love the mercury glass touch you added to your vases! So pretty peaking out behind the paint. Thank you for sharing it at to What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Have a great week!

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  13. Love the ballerina cards and what looks like a little tutu on them, so cute
    Michele
    Pearl 13.1

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  14. Love the transformation, so pretty and so clever!

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  15. Love what you did with these vases. I think everyone has a few of these lying around. The ballerina cards are adorable.
    Have a great week,
    Bev

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  16. Oh, they turned out so cute Donna! Love the bit of mercury looking glass and the tags are darling. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  17. Candles are supposed to be STRAIGHT????????? :) :) :) I better go fix mine then :)

    Lovely project :)

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  18. These turned out beautifully! I would have never thought of mixing the looking glass with opaque paint. Clever! Thanks for linking up at Thrifty Life Thursday, Donna.
    -Revi

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  19. I love what you did with these vases and the tags are gorgeous! (pinning!)

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  20. Cool! Leave it to you to be able to take an idea and give it your own spin, you are always to creative and clever. I'm going to feature this on my Link Party Features Pinterest Board, along with Anderson & Grant's original idea which is already there, so folks visiting the board later can see both versions...yay! Thanks for sharing this at the History & Home Link Party this week. -Dawn

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  21. Wow Donna, you did a great job with these, they turn out great :) Thanks for sharing at Creative Mondays...

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  22. Hi Donna! You are one of the fan favorites at the Sunday Showcase from the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link to your feature. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2014/01/sunday-showcase-from-make-it-pretty_26.html Hope to see your prettiness again tomorrow at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  23. those are so pretty I want to try it now

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  24. Wow, those turned out really pretty! I just love them. The ballerina tag was the perfect finishing touch too. :o)

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  25. LOVE the vases new look Donna!! Well done!

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