Onyx Candle Holder

Not many things make me happier than to land a good find at a thrift store.  I often remind my husband how lucky he is, "Honey, give me a good thrift store over a jewelry store any day of the week and I'm one happy woman."  He usually agrees.  :)

The onyx candlestick featured here was definitely the find of the week ~ costing me less than $2.  I think the natural beeswax candle with it's twisted rope shape (find them here) couldn't look prettier sitting on top of the thrifted find.  And, I think the dripping wax only adds to the beauty of the candlestick itself ~ perfection in my book.

Have you found any unique treasures at a thrift store lately?  You just might be surprised what you can discover ~ I hope you're up for the challenge!  I'd love to hear how your adventure goes.  Have a good Monday.  XO ~ Dana

Feeling Fall~ish

Fall has been slow in coming to Texas this year, but finally the air outside is crisp and I'm feeling invigorated that the holidays are just around the corner.  So today, this is what I'm burning at the house to bring a little of that fall feeling inside. 

Root Legacy ~ Pumpkin Spice

I only wish this photo was a scratch-and-sniff picture so you could smell its wonderfulness too!  I found this candle at my dear friend Pamela's boutique.  I know she would love for you to stop by and pay her a visit.  Be sure to mention that you read about Root candles on Tattered Style and receive 10% off any Root candle purchase.  You will absolutely love Pamela and her store ~ find it here.    For those of you that don't live in the Dallas area, you can also buy Root candles here.  I hope you enjoy your day today.  :)

Can Do Candles / DIY

Don't you just hate it when the wick of a candle burns down long before the wax is used up?  Here's a clever way to help make your favorite candle last a little while longer.  I borrowed the idea from my friend, Julie.  One evening while I was at her house, I noticed she had a candle sitting in a pan of water on the stove.  The candle had burned down to the point to where the wick was too short to light.  However, there was still leftover candle wax.  By melting the candle on the stove in a pan of warm water, the scent of the candle continued to fill the room. 

I carried Julie's idea one step further creating a "new" candle by adding purchased wick to the leftover wax.  The above candle is actually the leftover wax from three different containers of my favorite candle ~ the best candle on the planet!  Find it here.    
 
Below is a list of supplies needed to complete this project:

Used Candle (one with the wick burned down)
Saucepan
Oven Mitt
Candle Wicks
Empty Container (Clean ~ glass or metal)

Bowl

Ice Cubes/Water
Scissors



For example purposes, I chose to remelt a candle that Gavin (my youngest) gave me for Christmas.  This time, I only had one candle to melt down so I chose a small pewter container (I had on hand) to become the new container for my candle.

First, I filled a saucepan with water, so it came up to the middle of the candle I was wanting to melt down.  I then placed the candle in the water and turned the heat to medium high. 

As the water heated and the candle started to melt a bit, I turned the heat down to low and allowed time for the candle to melt completely.

For this project, I used candle wick I bought at Michael's ~ they come in a variety of lengths.  I opted to purchase the longest ones they had so they would work for various size candles.  

I positioned the wick so it was centered onto the bottom of the container.

Using the oven mitt, I poured the melted wax into the container.  Be careful...it's HOT!



I then placed the pewter cup into a bowl of cold water to which I added ice cubes. 

This helps speed up the process of hardening the wax (I can be a little impatient at times).

After the wax was completely hardened, I trimmed the wick back to about 1/4". 

Now there's no reason for disappointment when your favorite candle burns down.  This is a simple and easy little project you can do to assure you enjoy a candle until it's all used up.  I hope you give it a try.

On another note, thanks to HGTV.com for featuring one of Tattered Style's ideas.  Check it out here.  You will need to scroll through ~ it's # 9 of 13 photos (Rustic Wine Glass Holder).  I hope you have a lovely week ~ thanks for stopping by.  :)

Easy Socket Candle Holders

I do have a fondness for old porcelain light sockets.  I've used them plenty of times in place of regular fixtures, merely because I love their simplicity.  However, as you can see from the photo above, today I'm going to share another use for the common socket.

Recently, I was cleaning the shed and I came across these old things.  I had tucked them away last spring, after I had removed them from a house that was being demoed ~ freebies. :)  The thought occurred to me that they would make unique candle holders. 



I removed the parts I no longer wanted on the socket base ~ ie. pull cords/strings, wiring, etc.  Then I gave them all a bath.   



I tried placing standard tapers in the socket base but they were too small and didn't fit.  So, I decided a trip to the local Ace Hardware Store would probably solve my dilemma.  The customer service there is great and, eventually, we figured out a solution.  Some simple O rings (.79 each) found in the plumbing department would help hold the candlestick in place. 



I fitted a 1-1/16 x 7/8 x 3/32 O-ring in the top thread of the socket.

Next, I put a 15/16 x 11/16 x 1/8 O-ring near the bottom of each taper. 



Then I placed the candle in the base and gently "twisted" it into place.  

Not your everyday ordinary candle holder ~ but something different, fun and inexpensive.  I love the idea of upcycling (Upcycling:  The process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value ~ Wikepedia) as well. 

In case your wondering, I often run across common fixtures like these at flea markets, thrift stores or yard sales.  If your not the scavenger type, you can also buy them new here for less than a couple of dollars.  That's all for today ~ I hope you are inspired to try out this easy project.  I would love for you to follow me on Pinterest or Like me on Facebook.

Merry Christmas ~

I hope today has been a wonderful Christmas day for you and yours.  As I wind down from the activities of the day, I'm thankful for family and friends that are near and dear to me ~ and feel tremendously blessed that our three sons were home to share Christmas with us.  

Before Frostie comes down, I thought I might share another tradition we have around our place during the Christmas season.  We always hang this vintage Frostie Root Beer sign above our mantle.  Don't you think he resembles Santa?  :)

Snowflake stocking holders from Target ~ I love the way their mirrored surface reflects the glowing candlelight.

Hurricane globes ~ via my friend, Jill.  Candlelight always make things seem magical.  I snipped the fresh holly from a bush in our backyard. 



As this Christmas Day ~ 2011 ~ comes to a close, I hope it has brought you much joy and many blessings ~ Merry Christmas!

Thrifted Table//Fall Inspiration

I just have to pinch myself when I see treasures like the table above.  I feel my heart start to race as I look around to see if anyone else is eyeing the prize that sits only inches in front of me.  Luckily, in the case of this find ~ no one was. 



I snagged this HEAVY old iron table for $16.00 ~ and it's sitting on my back patio.  I pulled up a couple of chairs and topped them with some linen pillows for extra comfort.  And then...

...With fall finally arriving to Texas (kind of), I can't think of a better way to complete this spot, and usher in autumn, than by adding some easy fall touches to this setting.

Simple things make up the fall vignette:  A white pumpkin, an Antique hydrangea, a recycled gallon jug, an ironstone platter and white candles.



Thrifting is one of those things that continues to surprise me.  It's not that I go that often, but invariably when I do, I luck into something wonderful like this table.  I have high hopes that this thrifted find will include a cup of coffee or tea and some long, lingering conversations with family and friends.  I'd love to hear about your favorite thrifted find ~ Happy Tuesday! 

*  I would be thrilled for you to "Like" Tattered Style on Facebook and/or "Follow" my boards on Pinterest.

Lula B's Lamp Find

Recently I was on a buying excursion for an office space I'm designing.  One of the many stops was to Lula B's in Dallas ~ definitely a favorite spot of mine if you are in search of one-of-a-kind incredible vintage pieces.  I spotted this retro cream colored beauty and thought it might be a nice option for a small desk lamp.  But after scouring the store, another lamp became the obvious purchase for my client.  However, I kept going back to this little light and alas ~ I couldn't help myself.  It was yearning to take up space in a dark little corner of my home ~ so here it happily resides. :)

 I love the combination of the clean swirly base with the textured lampshade.  The shade's leather whipstitch is like a cherry on top.

I combined the lamp with this wonderful vintage Swedish cow sign ~ I'll tell my you more about that in another post. I also incorporated some vintage Capiz shell trays into the arrangement ~ Nana bought these in China back in the early 80's.

Capri Blue ~ Volcano

To top off this little grouping, I added in my favorite candle of all time from Anthropologie.  The etched glass container alone is like a fine piece of jewelry to me and the scent ~ well words can't describe.  I remember smiling when a friend of Gavin's came over to visit and I had the candle burning.  He said "This house smells like love" ~ need I say more?  It's wonderful!

I think this charming vignette completes this corner in my home ~ it makes me happy every time I pass by.  I would love to hear about a favorite corner of your home. :)