I don't frequent thrift stores very often. I know that's probably breaking some sort of blogger code or something, but I've never been great at spying the gems in the midst of all the junk, so I've stayed away. When we decided to to a $10 thrifted challenge for Get Your DIY On this month, though, I knew that I would have to brave the thrift store anyway and try my hardest to come up with something good.
I happened to be visiting my parents a few weeks ago, and since a new thrift store/consignment shop just opened in their little town, I decided to pop over and check it out. Wow, was that place packed to the gills with "treasures." 🙂 As I walked around the store, these three little (aqua, obviously) objects jumped out at me:
I had no idea what they were, but I thought the color was pretty, so I took them up to the front of the store and asked the owner about them. It turns out they're glass insulators, which used to be used on power lines in some way. Because it was 50% off day (win!) I scored all 3 for less than $5. I had no idea what I was going to do with them, but I was a happy customer!
When I got back to my parents', I looked up "glass insulator crafts" on Pinterest. Apparently, glass insulators are a "thing" in the craft world and I've been missing the boat all this time! People make lights and coat racks and photo holders and all kinds of cool things out of these! Since I'm always in need of things to hang on our walls, I decided to turn them into something that would fit that function, so I headed down to our garage and grabbed an old leftover 2x4 we had lying around.
Oh, it may not have looked like much, but I had big plans for it. I gathered a few other supplies...
List contains affiliate links.
D-Ring Picture Hanger
| Minwax Stain in Dark Walnut
| Plumbing Clamps | Screws
This project ended up being super duper simple. I stained the piece of wood and let it dry overnight. Donnie attached the D-ring to the back and used a cordless screw driver to attach the plumbing clamps to the board like so...
Then I just slipped the insulators in, tightened the clamps, and I was done!
I popped some little tea lights into the insulators to make them candle holders, but I thought they might also be cute as mini vases with flowers or they could even hold pens and pencils or paperclips and thumb tacks if I used it in my office.
See, maybe I'll become a junker after all! 🙂
I will tell you who is really good at this whole upcycle thing-- my Get Your DIY On co-hostesses! Wait until you see all of the beautiful projects that they came up with for this month's challenge!
$7 Piano Bench Makeover by April, House by Hoff
Mason Jar Flower Gifts by Mandy, The Hankful House
10 Thrifty Projects Under $10 by Christy, Confessions of a Serial Do-It-Yourselfer
Free Desk Makeover Using DIY Chalk Based Paint by Krista, The Happy Housie
We want to see all of your beautiful upcycles too! Be sure to join us for our monthly link party this Sunday, May 3rd to share all of your thrifty DIYs! See you at the party!
This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.
Kimm at Reinvented says
Love it! You look like an expert junker to me! 😉 I am eternally grateful to the folks in "the olden days" for using so much aqua stuff. 🙂
Katie @ Little House of Four says
I must have been missing the boat too! I've never seen these glass insulators before, but they sure are a great find. I love that you turned them into candle holders and the color is fabulous. Great job!
Ashley ~ 3 Little Greenwoods says
I have several of these insulators for my husband's family farm. I love their color but never knew what to do with them. Thanks so much for the clever DIY!
Happy weekend!
~ Ashley
Bethany @ MakingMyStead.com says
Those insulators are beautiful! What an amazing find! I too am a little shy of the thrift store. I see so many thrifted item projects in the blog world, but get overwhelmed (or underwhelmed) at thrift stores. I just end up getting something from Ikea instead.
Happy Friday!
Bethany @ MakingMyStead.com
(Formerly Bethany the ngnrdgrl)
justagirlabby says
LOL! That SO sounds like me! CONGRATS on the new site and on your little one on the way! How exciting!! It's so great to "see" you in blogland again, Bethany! Hope you guys are doing well! Hugs!
~Abby =)
Brittany says
Where do you get all of your creativity?! I've been seriously lacking lately. It turned out great!!
--Brittany
Peggy says
You did good! I love insulators! I have some my Mom-in-love collected sitting in a crock. I may have to pull some out for candles now.
Selene Galindo says
I love what you did with the glass insulators! The wood and aqua glass combo are so pretty!
Melissa Kaiserman says
Love it! I've put battery-operated tea lights under mine, but I really like this upside-down version!
Carrie says
I have had some of these sitting around as paperweights for a few years. I didn't want to throw them out as they are so lovely but I hate clutter. Now I know what I can do with them.
Tiffany says
Hi, Abby ~ I LOVE this project! And the aqua color of the insulators is gorgeous! I always appreciate the simple elegance (and ingenuity) of your projects. I tend to go way overboard and make things too difficult, so this is a timely reminder for me. :0) Those insulators are going to look so beautiful with candles in them. Wishing you a happy, relaxing weekend!
[email protected] of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says
See the goodness you've been missing out on? Ha ha you just never know what you'll find! This is so pretty. It would fit in my house perfectly. 🙂
Krista says
My mom has a collection of those on her windowsill. I've never thought of creating with them... I'm with you not knowing it was a "thing" 🙂 I might have to swipe some of hers and get crafty!
Cynthia - Clockwork Interiors says
So cute! I've been collecting these, as well, and always just put a tea light under them .... love you upside down version! Thanks for sharing!