Upcycle Wooden Pepper Mill and Salt Shaker into Lacey Victorian Candle Holders

Here's a crafty idea to repurpose (upcycle) trash-to-treasure and unusable wooden pepper mills and salt shakers. These pieces were found at a second hand store for a dollar. I have never done this project before but when I saw the pair I knew immediately what I'd create out of them.

With a bit of sandpaper they can be turned into shabby chic by simply sanding away the paint here and there.

What you'll need:

• A wood pepper mill and salt shaker.
• Antique white acrylic and a large brush.
• 3x3 or 4x4 wood squares (or platforms of your choice. You could even use metal or hard sturdy plastic.).
• Sandpaper.
• Lace scraps or in this case, I used cuts from old, cheap lace curtains.

Remove the tops to both pieces and the metal workings inside the pepper mill. Lay aside for a future project.

Apply a small bead of wood glue, Liquid Nails or similar glue along the rims of the shaker and mill then let dry over night.

Sand the finish of the wood. This will help the paint to stick to the shaker and mill.

Now paint then let dry and paint again. It took several coats to completely cover these pieces.

Apply a small bead of glue around the edges of the squares then add the lace and let dry.

As I mentioned earlier, these pillar candle holders can be scuffed up to create a shabby-chic look.

Check out my store, Visages, for original and unique kitchen and dining gifts. 

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Shaker Hat Box Design Ideas

 Cheryl, owner of Gramma Sophie's in Boonville, MO, handed me shaker hat boxes and asked me to paint them. She loves and sells primitives so it wasn't hard for me to decide what to paint.

The top picture is a set of three that forms one round circle. I decided to separately paint them to create a stacked design.

They were first painted with acrylic barn red then I floated burnt umber to the edges to make them look old. The words were hand painted with antique white.

The tree box is a single box. The lid is painted in midnight - acrylic paint of course - while the "base" of the box is painted in antique white with some version of brown slapped on. The tree base is black, leaves are ivy green and the red fruit was dotted on with the hand of a brush dipped in barn red. All edges were floated with burnt umber.

The bottom picture: There are two sets of two boxes shown.

Left: Antique white and barn red were used. I used a new half in brush to create the flourishes. The bottom box lid was painted with antique white then bard red was slapped on here and there. The rim of the lid was sanded to create a worn effect while only the very edge of its match was sanded.

The image on the right: Top box was painted with barn red and the stars were stenciled on with antique gold. Note how I allowed the red to show through.

The bottom box was painted with wrought iron black; the bunny rabbit in antique white. Both boxes were scuffed with sand paper.

As a side note: I prefer scuffing with sand paper over floating the edges. Not only is it easier but I think sanding makes the boxes look more authentically worn.

All boxes are for sale at Gramma Sophie's in Boonville, MO.

Want a set or just one? Simply leave a comment with your request and I'll paint them for you. Have something in mind you can't find? Custom orders are welcome at NO EXTRA CHARGE.

Two nesting that you can stack (like the bottom picture) are $20 plus Priority Mail charge.

A single box is $15 plus Priority Mail charge.

Returns accepted within 30 days. You pay the return postage. Custom orders require a 15% restocking fee.

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