This is a unique challenge blog where we are inspired by and focus on the Vintage; shabby; mixed-media; art journaling; industrial, timeworn and steampunk genres and encompass the talent, flair, expertise and ideas of many artists that we are inspired by. We welcome all types of projects - cards, journaling, assemblage, layouts, albums, atcs, altered art in fact whatever you want to share (as long as it is in good taste).

Monday 10 March 2014

Shabby candle stand – The tale of an up-cycled pizza box

The first Monday following the launch of our challenge will continue to be a stop at 'Destination Inspiration' and I’m honoured to take the first ticket!

Like many others, I adore scented candles, they make fabulous gifts, especially when you make a presentation stand to give with them!

candlebox27d

Here is the timetable to my destination...

I started by measuring the candle jar and determining the size tray I would need and then set about drawing a box template onto one side of the pizza box:
candletrio01_rs

Next came a layer of stamping of a floral spray with black archival ink followed by some resist stamping of a small bird. Both stamps are from the CMS069 - Artful flight collection:
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All four sides of the top and bottom of the template were treated with simple blending of Scattered straw, Spiced marmalade and Walnut stain Distress stains then misted with water to blend. Once dry, the box was formed and glued:
candletrio03_rs

The tray needs to take the weight of a glass candle jar so I cut a base a few millimetres smaller than the box, covered it with using the butterfly paper from Tim's Kraft resist 12 x 12 stack and then used the DIs & mister again to treat it:
candletrio04_rs

The base was glued inside the box before adding Idea-Ology Box feet. A little lace was added too:
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So far:

Out came matching Distress stains, Tattered florals die, book pages, kraft card etc and, using the wrinkle free distress technique, the flowers started to take shape:
candletrio06_rs

I cut Tattered leaves from mount board and used the same technique to colour them. Each of the flowers was edged with the Walnut stain DI then Diamond Stickles added accents to the flowers before finally adding various buttons, pearls, studs and ironware to their centres:
candletrio07_rs

So far:

Now the thing about a candle stand is that it really doesn't matter how it's decorated on the otside when it's lit because you only see the inside! Strong, instant drying glue was used to add the flowers and leaves (vertically) inside the box:
candletrio08_rs

So far:

Add the candle:

And when it gets to twilight - light it!

This candle stand and candle is going to a friend for her birthday - I hope she enjoys it as much as I enjoyed making it!

That's it for my journey today, I hope you all have a terrific week!

Chris xxx




27 comments:

  1. A fabulous project and great tutorial Chris, the basket looks perfect for the candle and I bet it reflects the light beautifully in the dark. Thanks for sharing all the process steps xx

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  2. Oh my this is a gorgeous alteration! Birds, butterflies and flowers are such a winning combination and I love the mellow yellow tones! Fabulous project and great tutorial! Hugs!

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  3. Stunning alteration, pizza boxes are sturdy & the finished item is so amazing. Am sure the recipient will have a huge smile & wonderful memories every time she light her candle. Fabulous inspiration:-))) xxx

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  4. Gorgeous make, Chris!! What a wonderful wag to start out our destination inspiration pieces.

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  5. Wow, this is gorgeous. Thank you for showing.

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  6. Wow, how gorgeous, wonderful decorations on the box. No-one would guess it started as a pizza box.

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  7. What an amazing transformation Chris! I love how this glows in the twilight and looks as wonderful outside as it does inside. Jenny x

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  8. Oh Chris, this is a masterpiece! I love the butterfly resist papers and your flowers are absolutely gorgeous. The feet look wonderful on the box. I think your friend is going to be delighted when she receives this. Anne x

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  9. A lovely project Chris and all out of a throw away box. It is beautiful how the light shines through and I love all the work you have put in to the flowers. Thank you for such an easy to follow tut and for all the techniques used and explained x

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  10. Wow Chris.....adore your recycled/repurposed pizza box.....wonderfully inspiring make to share with guides and travellers

    Huge hugs Annie x

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  11. Really lovely make-over for the box. Wonderful flowers and thank you for showing how you made those.

    Love Chrissie x

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  12. Absolutely amazing Christ, I totally love how you put this together, so very clever!! Fantastic step by step too. The way you decorated it with the flowers (and how you made those flowers), is brilliant!

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  13. A fabulous make Chris and how clever to recycle the box! It looks fabulous inside and out Jennie x

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  14. WOW! This is so GORGEOUS! THX for the step by step and with the candle lit, it is just Amazing! Your friend will LOVE this!

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  15. A gorgeous box and beautifully made, thanks for sharing, and thanks for the tutorial!!!

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  16. What a fabulous piece of upcycling, and a brilliant step by step! Thank you, Chris.
    Alison xx

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  17. Chris ... such a great project. You used some of my favorite stamps and paper. Love the creative way you put them to use. I love this idea! -- Mary Elizabeth

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  18. Gorgeous upcycled project, and wonderful way to display a gift.

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  19. Such a beautiful transformation Chris - your friend will be so happy when she receives. Nicola x

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  20. What a charming project - great job. And I'm your 201st Follower! So glad I found your blog.

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  21. A gorgeous project Chris and those are fabulous flowers x trace x

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  22. What a gorgeous stand Chris, so many lovely details. Your friend must have been delighted x

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  23. You are so clever Chris - this is absolutely gorgeous and I bet your friend will love it. Thanks so much for the step by step details too. Margie

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  24. Amazing, love it to bits. Happy crafting, Angela x

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  25. Very beautiful, Chris. Clever transformation I would not have guessed it started life as a pizza box!!

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  26. Recycling at its very best! Stunning work! Julie Ann xxx

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