- Thrift Store Throwdown
- 15 Trash to Treasure – Thrift Store Transformations
Welcome back to our “Thrift Store Throwdown” Challenge where 15 bloggers joined together to take some thrift store “junk” and turn it into treasure!
My friend Ashley from 3 Little Greenwoods sent me a wonderful thrift store package.
I actually liked the candlesticks just the way they were so those were left.
The cigar box I will probably use for storage but I may add something to it at a later date.
And the crate will be a future project….stay tuned!
I wanted to focus on the trifold screen and the plaque.
The trifold screen was something I knew would be a fun piece to work with and the plaque I thought was something most people would just walk on by.
*Affiliate links are given to show the same or similar products used to make these projects.
My Thrift Store Transformations
First up, the screen~
The finish on it was already rough so I didn’t sand it.
I decided to spray paint it with CHALKBOARD PAINT……EASY PEASY in just a few coats. I even spray painted the hinges cause I am lazy like that. #mommaaintgottimeforthat
(Lightly spray a coat at a time, letting each coat dry before you add another. Use as many coasts needed until the surface is covered.)
Next, I added some MINI DECORATIVE CLOTHES PINS by hot gluing them to the board (after it was fully dry-which didn’t take long in my case).
With a CHALKBOARD MARKER, I added the “Family Memories” lettering.
Finally, I attached some photos and memorabilia.
The thrift store cost of the screen was $4.04. I already had all the materials used to create this so the transformation didn’t cost anything.
Now onto the plaque~
I wanted to remove the metal saying as I thought it wouldn’t be easy to paint the two different materials.
This was actually a lot simpler than I had thought it would be. It actually peeled right off.
If you have one that won’t peel off, lay it out in the sun. After it has warmed up, take a putty knife and try to slowly remove it.
If needed, sand any residual glue off.
I then painted the plaque with WHITE CHALK PAINT. I did about 4 coats, letting it dry between each coat.
I then stenciled the NO. 4 using BLACK CRAFT PAINT.
Finally, I distressed, using sandpaper, to give it a farmhouse look.
The plaque, at the thrift store was a whopping 88 cents! You can’t even buy a piece of wood at the craft store for that. To purchase a naked wood plaque with Amazon is $6.41.
Again, I had the rest of the supplies for this project cause I love to use what I have, when possible!
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Please go over and check out the other trash to treasure projects from this challenge.
Shepherds and Chardonnay
Rachel Teodoro (formerly Holy Craft)
SHOP THIS POST:
carol says
July 25, 2016 at 5:55 amLove that you peeled the front of the plaque off to make it a clean slate. I will be keeping an eye out for similar things when out thrifting because you spot on when you think of the cost of wood! Great idea!
Deborah Sommerlot says
July 25, 2016 at 2:09 pmCarol, It’s such a cheap find. Most people don’t want them anymore.
Courtney says
July 25, 2016 at 6:09 amOh wow! 88 cents—and look how stylish it is now. I’m adding little plaques to my list of things to look for when I’m out treasure hunting. Thank you for the great idea–and thanks again for organizing the Thriftstore Throwdown. I had a lot of fun. Have a great week! ~ Courtney
Deborah Sommerlot says
July 25, 2016 at 2:08 pmCourtney, I know..88 cents!! What a bargain!
Randi says
July 25, 2016 at 7:19 amThose are such great transformations! I really love the chalkboard screen. It would even be super cute to use as a backdrop for a party table!
Deborah Sommerlot says
July 25, 2016 at 2:08 pmRandi, Oh yes, that would be great. I still have the back I can do something with too 🙂
BonBon says
July 25, 2016 at 8:42 amGreat transformations. I love the No. 4 sign. Very creative.
Deborah Sommerlot says
July 25, 2016 at 2:07 pmI love that it’s so cheap and a great way to reuse it so it doesn’t end up thrown away 🙂
Stephanie says
July 25, 2016 at 9:21 amGreat updates! I am going to be on the lookout for little plaques like that now, such an easy (and cheap) upcycle!
Deborah Sommerlot says
July 25, 2016 at 2:07 pmStephanie, Right? So cheap!!!!
Paula says
July 25, 2016 at 9:45 amWonderful transformations! The chalkboard screen might be cute used at Christmas to display cards.
Deborah Sommerlot says
July 25, 2016 at 2:06 pmPaula, that is a great idea!!!!!!!!!
Rachel Teodoro says
July 25, 2016 at 10:52 amWhat a great transformation! The chalkboard screen is amazing!
Rachel Teodoro recently posted…Embroidery Hoop Chandelier {What I Made in My Thrift Store Challenge}
Deborah Sommerlot says
July 25, 2016 at 2:06 pmRachel, I love simple and chalkboard so it seemed like a good fit 🙂
Jeannee@shepherdsandchardonnay says
July 25, 2016 at 12:13 pmDeborah,
I think you rocked them both! Love the “chalk board!” and how awesome is it that you had everything else that you needed! Great work!
Jeannee
Deborah Sommerlot says
July 25, 2016 at 2:06 pmJeannee, Yeah I tend to keep a bunch of stuff on hand (maybe too much). 🙂
Sue at Blu says
July 25, 2016 at 1:52 pmThe chalkboard screen is simply darling! Could be used for recipes too! And I agree with you on the wood plaque…can’t buy wood for that price! Great upcycles! Fun Fun Fun!
Deborah Sommerlot says
July 25, 2016 at 2:05 pmThanks Sue! I always tend to the simple projects. I love that idea for recipes!
Jenny Kavanagh says
July 26, 2016 at 8:50 amGreat use for the screen. It was so odd before now it’s perfect and has so many uses. I like the idea above of using it for recipes or Christmas card. And the plaque came out pretty cute too!
Jenny Kavanagh recently posted…DIY Decorative Concrete Sign Art
Deborah Sommerlot says
July 26, 2016 at 4:05 pmThanks Jenny, Since I can change the chalkboard wording I can use it for so many things. Thanks for stopping by!
Laura McDaniel says
July 27, 2016 at 8:24 amDeborah, I saw ‘found’ your site and this GREAT idea on Instagram! I would LOVE to join (if you do again) and/or also host one myself (sharing your site for the great idea, of course). Love the ideas everyone came up with and agree, I’d have a hard time returning them… hee hee
Deborah Sommerlot says
July 27, 2016 at 8:29 amLaura, It really was a great time. Keep on the look out to see if we do it again. There are several groups out there that do them. I just started my own and got a group almost instantly. Oh, and we don’t return the items after the transformation.
Kirstin says
July 27, 2016 at 9:24 amI love the square sign!!!
Kirstin recently posted…Recipe: Blueberry Zuchinni Bread
Deborah Sommerlot says
July 30, 2016 at 7:45 amKirstin, Thanks my friend!!
Michelle says
January 17, 2017 at 7:52 amI’m guilty of always walking past these plaques. That silliness stops right now!!! Love what you did with it Deborah. And the screen re-purpose is pretty awesome too
Michelle recently posted…Comment on Upcycled Ammo Box into a Kitchen Cupboard – DIY by acraftymix
Deborah Sommerlot says
January 17, 2017 at 8:15 amMichelle, Thanks so much. These plaques are always so cheap (or free). Hopefully you will find one you can play with. I think I want to do a decoupage next.