Three Easy Thrift Store Upcycles

Clever Trash to Treasure Thrift Store Upcycles from the Housewares Section

This article is sponsored by DAP. All opinions are 100% my own.

I recently tested DAP RapidFuse All Purpose Adhesive to fix a bunch of items around the house (read more here). It bonds virtually everything (glass, ceramic, metal, wood, plastic, rubber, fabric…), sets in 30 seconds and dries in 30 minutes. It’s awesome.

So today, I want to share three simple fifteen minute or less crafts to make from items I found at a local thrift store, including a jewelry box, pedestal tray, and bird feeder.

Want to see this live? Tune into my Facebook Live event on April 24th! Let’s get started with the first project.

 

DIY Upcycled Jewelry Box

Time: 15 Minutes (plus dry time)

Materials:

  • Ceramic Box
  • Old Salt or Pepper Shaker or Small Figurine
  • Spray Paint
  • DAP RapidFuse All Purpose Adhesive

Instructions:

I found this heart shaped box at Goodwill for a few dollars. With my daughter in mind, I also picked up a little cat salt shaker. She loves cats!

My original plan was to spray paint the box, however my daughter wanted to keep it pink so I spray painted the cat only. I sprayed it outdoors on an old cardboard box. One coat was perfect.

I glued the cat onto the top of the heart box and in 30 seconds, had an adorable cat jewelry box for my daughter’s room.

Money Saving Tip: When looking for items to upcycle, check for colored price tag discounts. Many thrift stores will offer a 50% discount for the color of the day.

 

DIY Pedestal Tray

I have made so many different versions of this. It is so useful. I use them in my bathroom for cotton, in my closet for jewelry, in the kitchen as small serving platters. I have even given some away as gifts. The best part is that they are all unique depending on what I find on my treasure hunts.

Time: 5 Minutes (plus dry time)

Materials:

  • Old Candlestick
  • Small Bowl or Plate
  • DAP RapidFuse All Purpose Adhesive

Instructions:

Glue the two pieces together. Done. Ha!! That’s it! Next…

Teacup and Saucer Bird Feeder

The birds LOVE this! One spring I swear my daughter and I refilled this little feeder every day.

Time: 5 Minutes (plus dry time)

Materials:

  • Teacup and Saucer
  • DAP All Purpose RapidFuse Adhesive
  • String or Chain
  • Birdseed

Instructions:

Lay the cup on it’s side on top of the saucer. Check to see the where the parts of the cup touches. In this case, it was the lip of the rim and base of the cup. Apply RapidFuse to those two areas. If you don’t want to hold it until it sets, place two small items on either side of the cup to keep it from rolling. It will be ready to hang in 30 Minutes.

Tie a string or old chain necklace to the teacup handle to hang it and fill it with birdseed. Consider hanging under an eave or tree to avoid pooling water or drill a hole in the bottom for drainage.

These make fun gifts for birthdays or Mother’s Day!

Watch the video tutorial.

 

Also, don’t forget to check out when I put DAP to the test!

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4 Comments

  1. Hi Dinah’
    I am a primary school art teacher in Melbourne, Australia who came to your blog to investigate your accordion fold butterflies. I am also a thrift store addict, so loved the upcycling you did with the teacup birdfeeder etc. Just got to find an equivalent super strong glue here in Oz.
    Thanks for your generous sharing!
    Jenny

    1. Hi Jenny!! GREAT! I am so happy you like some of my projects. I could go thrift store shopping every day…ha! Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Have a wonderful week! – Dinah

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