Architectural Salvage as Candle Holder

Once again we return to the vintage doorknob faceplates.  We picked up more of these gems during another trip to a local Architectural Salvage warehouse. If you aren't lucky enough to have one nearby, there are many opportunities to buy great pieces of history online. 

Here is what you need to make this amazing Glowing Architectural Salvage Art:

• Old Doorknob Faceplates
• Brass Fasteners
• Aluminum Flashing
• Hammer
• Metal Cutters
• Screwdriver or Hole Punch
• Gloves
• Protective Glass
• Votive Candles

The process is simple.  The look is amazing.  As always, wear your gloves and protect your eyes. Watch the slideshow below to see how it comes together.  If it does not start for you, click the play button.  As always, if it moves too quickly, hover over it and click the pause button, then the arrows to move at your own pace.

Glowing Architectural Salvage Art.  See it.  Create it.

Doorknobs and Chopsticks

Inspiration can come from anywhere.  Even when your dog digs up an old doorknob from your back yard.  Seen here with her prize, Allie the aspiring art dog inspired me to see what I could do with this simple find.  

I cleaned it up, careful not to remove the patina that time and weather had given it, and began to marvel at the beauty of this inexpensive hollow treasure. 

What to do with it?  ZAP!  It hit me!  An air freshener.  Yup!  Why not?  I have seen vessels of various shapes and sizes lately with scented who-knows-what in them and sticks plopped into the aromatic liquid.  Why not turn this new find into an air freshener and use some old chopsticks?

The supply list:

• Container of choice, in this case an old hollow doorknob
• Essential Oil such as Bergamot or Lavender
• Cheap Vodka
• Water
• Chopsticks

Disinfect the inside of your container if necessary, following the product instructions, and rinse.  For the scent, I used Bergamot from my local Natural Goods store (you can also buy Essential Oils online).  I mixed 1 cup water, 1 cup vodka, and twenty drops of Bergamot Essential Oil.  Store any unused mixed scent in an airtight glass jar out of direct sunlight.  Be careful not to get the oil on you or your clothing as it is very potent!  Adjust the amount of Essential Oil to suit your particular sensory requirements.  If you too are using a hollow doorknob, flatten the bottom if necessary.  Add the scent you mixed to the container.  Snap the chopsticks to fit your container so at least 1/3 of the wood is submersed and insert.  There you have it! Inexpensive and effective.  And, if you can re-purpose a container all the better!    Here it is.

 

Art from Architectural Salvage

Art is where you find it. It is what you love. It is old and it is new. It is inexpensive, choke-your-wallet expensive, and free. It is a rusted old wrench that was hauled around in the back of an old pickup truck for 37 years by the man who supported his family as a plumber. Art is the the wooden bowl that she used to mix up pancake batter before feeding her kids and sending them to school and then rushing to get ready herself for another hard day at work with never enough time for herself. Art is the rusted gate that hung for sixty seven years in the fence between the two yards that saw kids spilling onto the grass summer day after summer day after summer day. Don't be afraid to bring these things into your home and allow them to breath their history into your collection. Be eclectic in your style. It is amazing what will speak to you and where you will find it. Don't overlook:

• Architectural Salvage Yards/Shops
• Neighborhood Antique Stores  or those in the next town
• Old Farmsteads
• Friend's Garages - what is junk to them may be Art to you
• Yard Sales, Yard Sales, Yard Sales

Adding these older items to your home brings a warmth you will appreciate.  Here are just a few finds we picked up recently.

These were found in a local Antique Store in a far corner, nearly out of sight.  Originally part of an iron fence, these hefty pieces were only $10 a piece.

These doorknob face plates were found at an Architectural Salvage and are rich with character. Simply leaned up against a wall or, in this case a wash stand, they make a beautiful collection.

I'm not even sure what the next item is!  I found two of these under a huge maple tree on the property of what had long ago been a working farm.  The owner gave them to me.  I saw them as amazing works of art.

These license plates spoke to me the moment I saw them - their colors are amazing.  Worn by use and time, these are juxtaposed against a modern, stylistic painting.  

Don't be dictated to as to what is or is not art.  Art is what speaks to you.  Plan to spend an afternoon in your neighborhood Antique Shops or take a drive to the next town.  Make a day of it.  See what Architectural Salvage Yards you can find and don't be afraid to stop at that Yard Sale or visit the Farm with the tired Old Barns and Buildings.  You may make new friends along the way and pick up some amazing Art!  See it.  Create it.

Copper Greeting Cards - Keepsake Art

You can make keepsake original art with 40 gauge copper and inexpensive card stock and envelopes.  I purchased a set of 200 blank cards and matching envelopes for under $20.  With little more than a pen, the handle of a paint brush, glue, and copper, the blank cards are transformed into one-of-a-kind art.  The trick is to be comfortable with both positive and negative space.  Once you practice on a few squares of copper, you will soon get the hang of it.  These cards could also be further embellished with message, rivets, copper wire, inked, or left simple as these have been.    To get started you will need:

• 40 Gauge Copper
• A pen
• A small paint brush handle or small burnishing tool
• Glue
• Textured decorative paper such as is used in scrap books
• Card stock and matching envelopes
• Scissors

Watch the slide show below.  Hover over the picture and pause the slide show if it moves too quickly, then use the arrows to move at your own pace.

You will enjoy making these.  See it.  Create it.

Old Magazines Make Great Art

Believe it or not, you can make a visually interesting and beautiful piece of art from the pages of old magazines and some left over construction paper. All you need is:

• visually pleasing pages from magazines
• construction paper
• foam board
  
• tape
• spray acrylic
• spray adhesive or glue
• scissors
• utility knife
• cutting board
• t-square

As always, we have provided step by step instructions in the slides below. If the slides move too quickly for you, hover your mouse over the slide, click the pause button, and use the left and right arrows to navigate. See it. Create It.

Industrial Candlestick Holders

There is just something about re-purposing items that have either long been discarded or that were intended for an entirely different life that gives me satisfaction. Today I went to my local hardware store looking for inspiration and found it immediately in six simple pieces of hardware that resulted in two amazing candlestick holders that would look at home in either a loft apartment or condo, or as a visual departure in a more traditional space. I am afraid the photos of today's project don't do it justice. They are, to me, functional art.

The items for today's project can be found online or at your local hardware store. This is what you will need to make the taller candlestick holder:

• 1/2 inch Floor Flange
• 1/2 X 6 inch Galvanized Threaded Pipe
  
• 1/2 X 1-1/4 inch Galvanized Coupler
• A candlestick (beeswax looks great in these)
• Coffee Beans
• Aluminum Foil

Click on the slide show below for step-by-step instructions. Click pause if the slides move too quickly and then the right and left arrows to progress through the slides. See it. Create it.