
I love vintage Christmas decorations. I enjoy found objects that you’ve searched antique stores, thrift shops, and salvage yards for. However, if you’re a treasure hunter like I am, then you know that sometimes you have a hard time finding just the right piece, or if you do then finding it to fit your budget.
Such is the case with my JOY salvage letters. I couldn’t find anything I loved, but I do love metal and marquee letters, so I just decided to make my own.
And, I’ve always said that the best thing about paint is, if you don’t like something or you “mess it up” you can always paint over it. Which is exactly what I did with these guys. Well, read on and you’ll see what I mean.
Supplies-
- Dimensional paper mache letters (I found mine on sale at Joann’s but most craft places have them)
- Metalic spray paint (I used gold, then changed my mind and used silver instead)
- Exacto knife
- Sandpaper
- A drill or even a nail and hammer for the marquee holes in the letter
- A ruler if you’re a stickler for precision when marking where to punch your marquee holes
First, start by cutting the front panel off your letters with your exacto knife. It’s not too hard, just be careful, obviously. How do you like my background there, huh? That’s the top of my craft table, it’s clearly seen a lot of use.



I thought the inside of the letters was cool, mine had these zig-zag pieces of cardboard for support, but they came right out.

My knife left my edges pretty rough, so I used a piece of sandpaper and sanded them down a bit. Not totally though because remember I wanted a rustic look.


Next, spray paint! I originally painted mine in gold metallic.

After the paint dries, flip your letter over and mark the back to where you’re holes will be. I put mine about every inch or so. Then drill your hole through into the letter. I did mine this way because I wanted the cardboard to poke into the letter for texture and dimension.
You can also use a thick nail and hammer if you don’t have or want to drill.



That’s it! I had originally thought of wiring some battery pack Christmas lights through the holes, and I guess I still could. Then I thought, these are supposed to look like they have a story to tell, if I had really found these marquee letters at a salvage yard, they probably wouldn’t still have their bulbs, only the holes.



Remember when I said paint is awesome because you can paint over it if you don’t like it? Well, I lived with these gold for a little while, but the more I looked at them, they still just looked like cardboard letters, not too much different than their original color.
So, I opted for my second favorite metallic color, silver. This silver is really shiny though, and didn’t look very old. I used my paint rub technique with a black acrylic craft paint to distress them further. It’s a little hard to see in the photos, but trust me, it’s there.


Here’s a glimpse at my vintage inspired Christmas fireplace. These are my favorite decorations I put out all year.
How lucky to get a real behind the scenes look at my fireplace and my crazy craft table in one post!

I wouldn’t surprise myself if I change them to a completely different color next year, you never know.
So, what are your thoughts? Do you prefer these “metal” marquee letters in gold or silver?


Like what you’ve seen? Follow along
I like the silver better. But super cute. I am going to try to make these for sure.
PS: Found you link @Miss Mustard Seed
I love these! I love how they add a bit of an industrial touch! And I'd have to say silver 😉 I'd love for you to drop by and link up at our Holiday link party here: http://www.urbanejane.com/2013/12/holiday-glam-link-party.html
Thank you for the inspiration!
I like the silver better. And what a fabulous idea!
The silver is perfect! They definitely look salvaged and cool!
Very cool! You had me fooled until I looked really closely! So many ways to make those paper mache letters look like anything but cardboard!
How clever are you!!! I would love it if you would link this up at my Holiday Party! New Follower!
Kim
your letters are fabulous! bravo.
hope you'll stop by to see what i'm making & baking. hints: stenciled wall & boozy. http://hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com
smiles to you.
michele
They both look great, but I'd have to go with the silver. Love this!
These turned out so great, and they really look like metal. Great work! I'd love if you'd link up to The DIY'ers. http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-diyers-41.html
Ha, you are good with a drill! These look fab and vintage. I love letters and fonts. Visiting via "InspireMeMonday' Link up (I'm # 184)
I saw the photos on a linky party — I can't remember which one (sorry!) — and I love industrial touches so I headed right over. You totally faked me out! I never would have thought your letters were made with cardboard! I LOVE them!
Oh no way, I was totally thinking those were real metal. So awesome!
I love the gold JOY letters! What a great DIY. Thanks for sharing with us at our Link it or Lump It party!
Just stopping in to pin! Love this and I'm spreading the "JOY" to my pin board.
I have been looking for marquee letters- this is a genius solution to the "finding the right letters" problem! Not to mention the "are they really asking that much for them" problem. 🙂
What a cool idea! I want some!! 🙂
I love this! Your letters look awesome!!
That is such a neat idea! I love them and they are so unique 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing at Link It or Lump It this week!
Hi Molly, I just love your Metal Salvage Marquee Letters! I wanted to thank you for linking them up to the Link it or Lump It Link party and let you know that we're featuring them this week at Two It Yourself. Come on over and grab a button and don't forget to link up again this week! – Melissa http://www.twoityourself.com/2013/12/link-it-or-lump-it-link-party-18-plus.html
Just wanted you to know that I loved this so much, I'm featuring it on The DIY'ers today! http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-diyers-42.html
I did a JOY sign on a canvas with lights…I would love to copy this idea with those HUGE letters from Joanns for year round…hmmm not sure what word I would do though…Joy is my favorite word right now because you can't read it and not smile 🙂
Hey! Great minds think a like! I made some of these this year, too! I spelled NOEL…come check it out if you have time! http://www.linleyhouse.com/2013/12/living-room-christmas-decor-2013.html
This is such a good idea! I featured this today at our craft countdown! Here the link to view it…http://sewlicioushomedecor.com/6th-day-crafting-diy-paper-mache-salvage-marquee-letters. Thank you for linking up the Christmas Round up!
Marti
Molly, Happy New Year!! I'm no longer doing my Tasty Thursdays linky party, but celebrating 2014 by joining forces with some other great bloggers for Best of the Weekend linky party each week. I'm featuring 12 of my favorite Tasty Thursdays features to start the year. This post is my favorite from December. Hope you will follow me to the party and link up your latest creations. Thanks, Nichi
http://www.mandatorymooch.com/2014/01/best-of-weekend-week-34.html
Those are so cute! I love how you were able to take something from a craft store and make it look vintage! Can't wait to do my own!