Cut Out + Keep

Distressed Candlestick Vases

A simple glass vase becomes a shabby candlestick!

https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/distressed-candlestick-vases • Posted by andersonandgrant

Do you ever wander through your local thrift store actually looking for a project? I browsed through my local Goodwill, I was scouting out pieces anyone should be able to find that could be repurposed into something else. One thing in large supply at any thrift store I've been to is glass vases in all different shapes, colors, and sizes. They are normally super cheap at around $1 a piece.....You just have to make sure that the top of the vase is narrow enough to hold a taper candle for this project. This is such a great repurposing project because the vases are so easy to find and the candlesticks can be totally customized. You can paint them whatever color you want. If you aren't into the distressed finished they can be left plain. You could even turn a larger vase into a pillar candleholder if that is what you desire. I hope this tutorial inspired you to turn some of your old vases into candlesticks. Have fun!

You will need

Project Budget
Cheap

Time

1 h 00

Difficulty

Nice & Simple
Medium 103791 2f2014 08 08 115844 apples%2band%2bcandlesticks%2b2 Medium 103791 2f2014 08 08 115850 candlesticks Medium 103791 2f2014 08 08 115857 closeup1 Medium 103791 2f2014 08 08 115902 closeup4 Medium 103791 2f2014 08 08 115909 title%2bpicture

Description

Do you ever wander through your local thrift store actually looking for a project? I browsed through my local Goodwill, I was scouting out pieces anyone should be able to find that could be repurposed into something else. One thing in large supply at any thrift store I've been to is glass vases in all different shapes, colors, and sizes. They are normally super cheap at around $1 a piece.....You just have to make sure that the top of the vase is narrow enough to hold a taper candle for this project. This is such a great repurposing project because the vases are so easy to find and the candlesticks can be totally customized. You can paint them whatever color you want. If you aren't into the distressed finished they can be left plain. You could even turn a larger vase into a pillar candleholder if that is what you desire. I hope this tutorial inspired you to turn some of your old vases into candlesticks. Have fun!

Instructions

  1. Small 103791 2f2014 08 10 212635 start%2bwith%2bglass%2bvases

    Start with a collection of different cut glass bud vases.

  2. Small 103791 2f2014 08 10 212721 paint%2bkhaki%2btan

    Begin by painting the outside of your vases with chalk paint. The great thing about chalk paint is that it sticks to just about any surface, including glass. It also leaves a nice texture to the glass. I chose to paint the vases first with Khaki Tan (from Americana) and then a creamy white.

  3. Small 103791 2f2014 08 10 212818 paint%2bvases%2bwhite

    You'll need to paint three coats of each color on your vases, letting each coat dry before adding another.

  4. Small 103791 2f2014 08 10 212830 sand%2bthe%2bvase

    When the candlesticks are completely dry, take a nail file or fine grit sandpaper and go over the raised portions of the vase. This will chip away some of the paint leaving a nice distressed finish. In some places the paint with chip away clear down to the glass, but in others it will leave the tan color showing through making a great two toned effect. It creates just the right amount of imperfection to make the candlesticks perfect!

  5. Small 103791 2f2014 08 10 212905 candlesticks

    Add some taper candles and you're done!