Today I’m participating in the first ever Jingle Bell Junk Swap! The awesome Bliss from Bliss Ranch sent me some good vintage “junk” and my challenge was to use it to create cute Christmas decor. Here’s what Bliss sent me.
When I saw this set of Christmas tree molds I knew I could work with it! Bliss even sent along a little note to help me get started.
Rice Krispy treats were one of the first things to come to mind but that seemed like taking the easy way out! I knew that I definitely wanted to take the trees off the metal frame to use them individually. It seemed like an easy task. Here’s a better view of how they were attached.
I thought with a little elbow grease those babies would pop right off. I was wrong. Reeeeally wrong! To remove the first tree I use metal snips and a screw driver to cut and bend the metal till the metal buttons holding the tree on the frame popped loose. With this method I was in constant fear of stabbing myself with the screw driver or gouging out an eye (like for reals). Maybe I was going to make Rice Krispy treats after all…
Luckily I avoided bodily harm and my husband suggested using the Dremel cutting tool to remove the rest. The Dremel was a bit safer and a whole lot faster!
Once the trees were off the frame they had two small holes in them from the metal buttons that held them on the frame. I decided to go with it and use a nail and hammer to pierce holes in the whole front of the tree – sort of like Christmas ornaments – to make luminaries. Next I glued them to small brass candlesticks from the thrift store with Liquid Nails and gave the whole shebang several coats of gold Glitter Blast spray paint. Behold, Christmas tree candle luminaries.
When the candles are lit the trees have a soft glow.
What “junk” are you using in your Christmas decorating this year? Be sure to check out how the rest of the ladies completed the Junk Swap challenge!