Make A Thrifty Seashell Container
Tutorial: Thrifty Seashell Container
Do you go to the beach on vacation? I bet you have a bunch of seashells and need a great way to display them. Vacation memories!
The project today is a thrift store décor makeover. Nothing makes me smile like turning an inexpensive find into something pretty. My Thrift Store Decor buddies have projects today too. The links are at the bottom of the post. Be sure and check out their makeovers.
Thrift Store Find With Gold Foil Lettering
The glass container/jar/whatever was marked $2.48 but of course I got my “Being Older Is Better” discount. I didn’t care for the lettering on the container and I wasn’t feeling the aged metallic brassy classy look either. Not my style.
Removing Gold Foil Lettering
I took a putty knife (dirty but usable) and scraped the lettering off of the glass. I’ve also done this with older china cabinets that have the gold detailing on the glass doors. There was a faint film where the lettering was removed, adhesive or something although it wasn’t sticky. A little scrubbing with Simple Green and it came right off. The container needed a good cleaning anyway.
Next up is the spray paint. The color is Heirloom Satin. My favorite off-white from Rustoleum. I used FrogTape and brown packing paper to keep the glass free of paint.
Once dry I distressed the paint with 100 grit sandpaper.
I planned to leave the paint as is but when I added seashells to the container the paint looked too white. A coat of dark wax, Howard’s Golden Oak, and the seashell filled container was perfect.
I can think of all kinds of uses for the pretty container. It would look nice filled with limes, or a tall white candle, or a tiny succulent plant sitting on top of glass beads.
What else could I put in my newly painted container?
Before & After, Thrift Store Decor
See how easy it is to distress home decor in this video tutorial I made…
Painting and Distressing Home Decor
I have another cool seashell holder display thing for you to check out here….Decorate A Clay Pot.
Leave me a note and visit my thrifty friends by clicking the pink text links below the photo.
1. Vintage Suitcase Makeover – My Repurposed Life
2. Thrift Store Teacup Candle – Domestically Speaking
3. Banded Basket Makeover – Our Southern Home
4. Farmhouse Sign – Refresh Restyle
5. Painted Desk Makeover – My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia
Products used in this project:
FrogTape Painters Tape
Howard’s Wax in Golden Oak
Sandpaper
RustOleum Spray Paint in Heirloom Satin
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Kathy Owen is the creative guru, content creator, photographer, and worker bee behind the popular Home Décor DIY Blog Petticoat Junktion. She focuses on reinventing found treasures and decorating her home Get all the nitty gritty on Kathy here.
Leanna says
This turned out really really nicely. It looks like a good size jar, what a great thrift store find. Love it.
Kimberly says
The transformation looks great! Isn’t it amazing what a coat of paint will do? Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday this week! 🙂
Nikki Gwin says
That turned out gorgeous! And to think…..I would have passed that item right on by at the thrift store! My mistake!
🙂 gwingal
Kathy Owen says
Thank you for the invitation! Hopefully I’ll remember.
Nancy says
Love the shells! A smaller container could hold cotton balls in the bathroom. Thanks for sharing.
mary scott says
This is fabulous! thanks
Broken Bit Mosaics says
I like it better this way. Anything will work in it as you said.
Happy Easter.
Sonnie says
Wow, that jar turned out great! What a find!
Bliss says
Can you put chocolate in that before I stop over?
Kathy Owen says
You come over Bliss and there will definitely be chocolate in it and hot coffee in the pot.
Naomi S. says
What a very cool find and a great make-over! I think you could put lots of things in it, but I love it with the shells which are one of my favorite things anyway. Thanks for the tutorial! And for sharing your glass-cleaning method.
Laura Strack says
You know I love those before and after redo’s from the thrift store and this one is fabulous!! I would call your container a cloche and it’s gorgeous with the white paint and sea shells. Thank you for brilliant ideas <3
Maryann @ Domestically Speaking says
So pretty! You know I love any shell display!
Christy @ Our Southern Home says
Wow! That turned out to be so pretty. Major improvement minus the lettering. Love it with the shells!
kristin salazar says
This turned out so pretty, love it with the beachy feel with shells!
Cindy Richter says
Wow, what a huge difference. Great idea and thanks for showing us how!
Bonnie says
That turned out so pretty.
gail says
Wow! Kathy–you had vision. That’s an amazing makeover on that thrift store container. I love the new color.
pinned!
gail
Marie|The Interior Frugalista says
This looks great, Kathy. Gave me an idea for getting our seashell collection out of the plastic tub stored in the bottom of our china cabinet and on display!
Lynne DiCenzo says
I think that container makeover is perfect especially filled with shells….LOVE IT
kim says
I like it with the shells!
Kaycee F says
This is so pretty, I love the seashells and starfish inside!!!! I have a similar container, currently in a flat black paint, that will look beautiful refreshed like yours! Thank you for sharing!!!
Claire | Heart Handmade UK says
Ooooh, this is absolutely gorgeous! The Mister spent a summer helping fit windscreens and says that a little soap and water and a single edged stanley blade and scraper will take almost anything off of glass. He’s hates “sticky stuff” and has become quite adept at getting rid of it, so I’ll trust him on this x