Have you ever had a project in mind, and it was only a vague idea, but then everything just worked out exactly right? And you loved the results on the first try?
I can honestly say that I thought this cloche project had potential to be a disaster, and instead I adore them!
These were created by gathering parts and bits from Goodwill, Dollar Tree, and Hobby Lobby.
Any time you upcycle thrifted items you create something one-of-a-kind, but if you look for similar items you can definitely recreate your own.
For this project, I’m participating in the monthly Thrift Store Challenge with a bunch of other clever bloggers, so make sure you check out their makeover projects as well.
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
Amanda | Domestically Creative
Angela | Simply Beautiful by Angela – Michelle | Michelle James Designs
Molly | Just a Little Creativity – Victoria | Dazzle While Frazzled
Marie | The Inspiration Vault – Marie | DIY Adulation
– Gail | Purple Hues and Me
Jennifer | Cookies Coffee and Crafts – Ann | Duct Tape and Denim
– Debra | Shoppe No. 5
Denise | My Thrifty House – Florence | Vintage Southern Picks
Deborah | Salvage Sister & Mister – Yami | The Latina Next Door
Pili | My Sweet Things – Kathleen | Our Hopeful Home
Karen | Dragonfly & Lily Pads
How I Made My Easter Cloche from Thrifted Items
I already had a little bit of vision when I began my hunt for the items I thought I’d need, the miracle was that I was actually able to find it all so easily.
For this project, I gathered sturdy candlesticks with a wide base and wide top. These were created to hold pillar candles, so I knew they’d work, and were $6 for the set of three.
I also found basic, clear glass bowls for 50¢. They’re the kind in essentially any thrift store at any given time. You can also find them in Dollar Tree.
And the last thrifted pieces were my cute little Easter chicks. I actually snagged these up from my local VarageSale app for only $4. The two larger ones are vintage Lefton, from the 60’s or 70’s is my guess. I like their little faces, they seem so disgruntled, like they already knew I was about to stick them in those bowls and they’re not happy about it, thank you very much.
A few years back I used chalk paint to makeover a lamp base, so I knew that it would stick to the weird glass and metal material of these candlesticks.
There are so many good chalk paints on the market these days, but my Annie Sloan is tried and true, plus I had plenty on hand to use.
I knew I wanted a distressed look, so I just slapped a quick coat of white, not even trying to get into all the crack and crevices.
Setting the candlesticks aside to dry, it was time to work on the greenery.
I used green twist tie floral wire, a bag of moss, and some leftover green leaves from my Spring Wreath project– all items from Dollar Tree.
I splurged a little and found a really great garland I liked at Hobby Lobby. Well, I only spent $6 on it after I used my 40% off coupon.
The top of each candlestick got a lump of moss for decorative purposes.
Did you guess that the top of my glass cloche isn’t actually a lid? Nope, I turned the bowl upside down and chalk painted the rim, as well as round dowel end caps.
Then I glued on the round caps, and it looks just like a lid to a cloche.
I wasn’t totally sure how I wanted to attach the bowl to the candlestick. If I never wanted to remove it again, I’d have used gorilla glue, E6000, or even just hot glue.
But I think I’d like to use them for different themes and be able to remove the chicks if I want, so instead I used a ton of glue dots.
I simply put them around the entire base of the glass bowls, and sat them on top of the candlesticks.
Make sure your little Easter critter is in place first, because it’s a pain to remove the bowl once they’re stuck down.
I cut the garland to fit around each cloche, and twisted the green floral wire to hold the ends together.
And last, I just placed random leaves and florals into the garland wrap until I was happy with the layers of greenery.
I only used two of the Easter chicks to fill the bowls, so for my last one I used the Mod Podge Easter eggs from this thrifty Easter makeover last year.
What do you think? They’re a great addition to my Easter mantel, but would look great in any shabby chic, or farmhouse style vignette.
And now for more thrifty goodness!
Check out what my fellow upcyclers created below!
Angela at Simply Beautiful By Angela says
Molly these are so awesome! I would never have thought of painting the bottoms of the bowls and adding a handle–that looks great!
Amanda @ Domestically Creative says
So stinking cute! I love that you painted those bowls to look like a lid and handle! Genius.
Florence @ Vintage Southern Picks says
This is so darling! I love those funky painted candlesticks! And your combo of how you put everything together is perfect! My projects don’t usually come together so smoothly, LOL. Love how you added the “knobs” to the “cloches” too. That is so darn clever…gonna have to remember what you did, and of course, I pinned.
Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Cute! Would look great as a spring tablescape. Visiting from Thrift Store Challenge.
Deborah says
Fantastic transformation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jenny says
These are adorable! I have plenty of those fish bowls to and what a great idea! I love the vintage ducks.
Sheri says
This is super cute! Thanks for sharing in the To Grandma’s House We Go DIY, Crafts, Recipes and More Link party! Hope to see you again next week!
Sarah Howe says
Wow these are really impressive and perfect with Easter on the way!! You are clever. Thanks for sharing woith #bloggersbest x
Michelle James says
These so fun and springy. I am glad you used the glue dots because I thinks at Christmas time these would be so fun changed out with something holiday related. What a great idea and they all came together so nicely!
Debrashoppeno5 says
This looks great. I love the whole vignette. Plus I like the idea that you can change it out each season. Thank goodness for glue dots.