Upcycle: Candle Holder to Picture Holder {Tutorial}

This is one of those rare posts in which I share with y'all something I did on my own without a tutorial.   About a month ago, our subdivision was hosting a neighborhood garage sale and hubs and I were going through our things deciding what we would try to sell.

He came across a votive candle holder. It looked like this:

We no longer never used this, so when my sweet hubs put it in the garage sale pile, he was not thrilled when I immediately took it out, declaring: "I can make something out of this."

At the time, I didn't actually have a plan as to what I would do with it but after much consideration, I decided to make this:

I know, there's not picture in it.  We'll get to that later.  But for now, want to learn how to make it?  It's actually super easy. (Don't expect super hard from this girl; that's not how I roll!)

First, you need to gather all your materials.



Not pictured: twine and Elmer's Craft Glue

I chose to put the world "Happy" in my candle holder because I thought it was the perfect word to describe our household.  What 5-letter word describes your household?  If it's joyous, just leave out the "o" to make it fit.  "Joyus" is just as good.

Then, punch five (or however many candle holders you have) 2 inch holes with your circle punch.

Don't you love this paper?

The person who invented the circle punch is a genius.  Who do you suppose invented them?  Martha Stewart, maybe?  That could be why her brand is so pricey at Michael's.

After you punch your holes, you want to cover your frame in a matching or coordinating paper.  I swooned when I saw this paper, I knew I wanted to decoupage it on my frame.  Here's how I did it:

1. Trace frame, adding an inch on either side to cover the sides.

2. Lay paper on frame and gently bend edges of paper so you'll know where to fold it.

3.  Mod Podge paper.

4.  Press paper down on frame.

One trick I learned is that if you use a credit card and press it over the decoupaged area, it won't bubble up.  Until this project, bubbles were the bane of my existence.

After you cover your frame, let it dry.  While it's drying, go outside and spray paint your candle holder in the color of your choice.  I chose a coordinating color (beige) and I did not take pictures.  The last time I spray painted something, the wind blew my paint onto my camera.  This did not sit well with me.  Instead of showing myself all scrunchy faced spraying the candle holder, here are some handy tips for when you spray paint.  (Thank you Pinterest!)

After you spray paint your candle holder (I ended up doing about 5 light coats on this to prevent dripping), spray paint your letters the same color.  I had to hold my letters because the force of the spray caused them to move around.

Now they match!

When everything is dry, you want to center your letters on your two inch circles.  Once they're centered, glue them down.  I used Elmer's Craft Glue.



After your letters are centered and glued, now you're going to glue the circles into the candle holder.  Press down firmly and use your finger to flatten out any bubbles.

 Take your twine and figure out how you're going to hang your frame.  I decided on a middle hang because it seemed the most simple.  Measure out your twine to gauge how long your frame will hang down.  Hot glue about three inches on each end of the twine.

While looking at this almost finished product, I realized it needed a little something.  I made a lace rosette and glued a pearl in the middle.  You might say I'm obsessed with lace flowers right now. (Enter my giveaway!)


I hadn't yet glued the pearl in...



The last thing I did was add matting to make it into a 5 x 7 frame.  I found a piece of scrapbook paper to match and measured it to size and cut. 

I used 3M picture hanging strips to hang it.

Now, I need a picture.  Which should I choose? I've narrowed it down to three pictures of Toph that I absolutely adore. 



Comment and vote on the right to tell me which pic fits the "Happy" theme this upcycle is going for.  No matter what, I'm going to print the pic in a sepia tone to add to the shabby chicness of it all, what do you think? 

I have a challenge for you:  look around your house at the things that are no longer used or have never been used and think what else you can turn them into.  A little spray paint and craft paper are all you need!

Many thanks to my mama, who tirelessly emailed (4 times) me all these pictures after I forgot my camera and had to use hers.  Thanks, Mom!
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