When I did my estate sale friday post a couple of weeks ago I had found a bunch of those old electric candles. I mentioned that I transformed them and had quite a few questions about what I actually did to them. Today I am showing you some that I have finished.
A box of plain jane candles from the sale. Let me do a little Magpie Ethel magic on them.
Here are a few that have been gussied up. I like to change out the bulb with a colored vintage one and then add some bling to the base. I like to use old Christmas corsages and add some extra vintage garland. I usually try and keep them all in one color scheme.
I like the ones with the multiple candles. They are a bit harder to find, but there is more room to embellish at the base. They look terrific on a holiday mantle or with some holiday houses.
I don't care that the bulbs are not exactly the same shade of pink, as I am not a matchy-matchy gal.
Cute stuff huh? Some of them will be headed to Etsy when I start listing Christmas.
Oh, and it helps with a project like this if you have a stash of old light bulbs.
I knew there was a reason I have been collecting these old bulbs up when I find them....
Have a great Tuesday.
Those are amazing! I would never have guessed to do something like that - I don't have the old Magpie Mind! Great job!
Posted by: SueLovesCherries | September 15, 2009 at 02:38 PM
Laurie! Those are too cool! I see those old candle doohickies all the time @ the thrifts and never once saw beauty. Okay, once again, you have changed my mind! Do you ever sleep?? :o} *elaine* {pop over to Love2...I'm having a giveback this week..see ya!}
Posted by: *elaine* | September 15, 2009 at 05:22 PM
Oh I love them!!!You can take anything and make them beautiful!!!
Posted by: elma | September 15, 2009 at 06:09 PM
I remember these from last year - they're really great. Do you plug them in? I have a little fear of vintage light cords, but these wouldn't bother me, I don't think. Also, just to pepper you with questions, but did you ever think of making a scary Halloween version? (with the abundance, we wish, of all those Halloween trims...)
Posted by: barbara | September 15, 2009 at 06:23 PM
Those turned out wonderful! I love how you did the colors-- very cool and cute!
Posted by: Jill | September 15, 2009 at 07:06 PM
holy cow girlfriend...you did a great job on those..they all look so vintage and I love that collection of lightbulbs...who knew!!! :)
Posted by: Gina | September 15, 2009 at 09:17 PM
Fabulous....I can't decide which one I like best...hmmmm
Stay Cozy, Carrie
Posted by: Carrie | September 15, 2009 at 10:19 PM
I love how you have giant boxes of everything! I could die and go to heaven in your supply closets, cupboards, bins!
Another great idea by the Magpie!
I finally got all my Halloween stuff done and posted tonite! Whew!
Posted by: Account Deleted | September 15, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Laurie -- they are spectacular!
I agree with the others .... have seen TONS of those at thrift stores and never once considered rehabilitating them. Awesome job!
Do you have the Christmas shows you are doing on your blog site? Hmmm ... guess I should just look, lol! BTW ... did Archie propose to Veronica???
Betty :)
Posted by: Sammy Girl | September 15, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Fantastic! The container of old bulbs is pretty enough to display as well! You are an endless stream of creativity!
Posted by: forcryeye | September 16, 2009 at 05:57 AM
Love them Love them Love them! Will you set aside the single turquoise one for me?
xox
See you soon!
xo
Dot
Posted by: one gal's trash | September 16, 2009 at 08:32 AM
These are great!! I'm always searching for those old corsages and never see any - guess I'm not shopping in the right places. I don't know how many of those candle thingies I tossed away this summer from an auction box - boohoo!! If I get them again, I know where to send them.
Posted by: Lynn | September 16, 2009 at 09:32 AM
OMG Laurie, these are gorgeous! You've taken something very plain and made it outstanding! If I had just half of your ideas and creativity, I'd be quite pleased with myself!
Posted by: Carol @ Old Glory Cottage | September 16, 2009 at 09:54 AM
The Magpie Ethel Magic worked once again! Fabulous, dahling...fabulous. The colors are dreamy fun.
Posted by: Melony at Whimsy Daisy! | September 16, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Hey, I went back for the candles at a bag sale. Come see what I got!
Posted by: Linda | September 17, 2009 at 05:29 AM
So cute! Love them! I had a great time with you and Pam yesterday. Wish we could have hung out longer. Next time, we will have to hit some thrift stores. Hope to see you soon!
XO,
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa Johnson | September 17, 2009 at 08:33 AM
Reeeeeally????? like reallly now??? Such the things of my happy dreams!! I MUST HAVE ONE!!!!!!!! That pink one in the last photo......my heart needs it!!!!! I'll be keeping an eye on your shop!!!
FANTASTIC as ALWAYS!!!
XOXOXOXOXO
Posted by: jenny holiday | September 18, 2009 at 07:19 AM
Too gorgeous!! I always see these "candles" at my favorite thrift store, but never pick them up. Now I know why...yours are far prettier. I'll keep my eye open for them on Etsy! :)
Posted by: Crystal | September 18, 2009 at 09:48 PM
Good job with the candles and bulbs. I think I have a few somewhere as well. Pretty color combinations.
Posted by: Deborah Bonner | October 05, 2009 at 12:11 PM