My home has a lovely carved wooden double mantle with a beveled mirror. I love it, but honestly I find it a little difficult to decorate. It is so gorgeous & massive that things seem to just sort of fade into obscurity on it. I want to be able to change my decorations with the seasons, and of course I don’t want to spend a fortune doing it!
So what’s a frugal gal to do? I wanted something with a little more presence than my current candlesticks with little gold berry rings (Candlesticks, candles & decorative rings were all purchased at The Dollar Tree).
When I saw this tutorial over at Made By Stephie for DIY Hurricanes I was blown away. It had never occurred to me that I could make my own footed glass hurricane lamp. (Note: similar glass footed hurricane lamps run for over $50 online!)
First I scoured my local Goodwill for appropriate vases & candlesticks. Since I planned on placing the hurricanes on either side of the mirror I needed to find two glass vases that matched and were wide enough to place a short candle inside. Of course the candlesticks also needed to match, but those usually come in pairs.
It wasn’t too hard to find some matching vases-but many of them had necks that were just too narrow. I finally got lucky and found these vases for $1.99 each. The candlesticks were easy-there were 8 matching one for $1 each. I only bought two of course.
One of the vases looked a bit yellow-but I figured that was due to grime and a good scrubbing would take care of it. If not, they’d be separated by the width of the mantle, so hopefully I’d be the only one ever to notice.
Making the hurricanes was dead simple. You just glue the vase to the candlestick. It is so easy that I can barely call it a craft! By the way, I use E 6000 glue for things like this.
Tada! Two one of a kind hurricanes for only $6.
If you want to try using it a bit differently, you could flip it over and add a thick pillar candle.
Yeah, ok, so that look isn’t for everyone. Some other possible uses would be as a footed vase, or even as a pedestal/cakestand for a buffet (just place a pretty plate on top).
Check out Erik Homemade for an alternate version that throws a candy dish into the mix!
Very pretty. I’m trying to find a workable solution for over my fireplace. I like the idea of shutters (it has a large, empty media cut out), but I’ve been contemplating a mirror more and more. I think your candle idea would look lovely in front of that. Thanks for the suggestion.
This hurrican lamp idea is so cute…somehow over the years I’ve collected a number of this type lamp; both clear and green. DH was quite impressed with my little project! They give off alot of light; especially set against a mirror. DEE
That turned out so cute, Jenn! Love it!!
What a great idea! Now I need to visit a thrift store.
What a Fantastic idea I am going to pot this link on my blog and share it with my readers if you don`t mind.I have everything except the glue, where would you finf it at?
I was just so tickled by this project, so I’m glad you all like it as well!
Diana-ohh, if I found colored vases & colored glass candlesticks that would be very pretty. . .
Oh, and Cristy-fee free to share & link. I buy my glue at Walmart, but all the big craft stores and even hardware stores usually carry it. Of course you could use superglue as well if you have that-anything that says it will secure glass to glass and dries clear.
I love the hurricans and love your fireplace. We used to own and old house and I just loved it. We now own a 20 yr. old house and I am struggle to make it look Victorian. Love your idea!
So sorry for the errors in typing – I must be having an “old” moment on the computer!!
I fell in love with these the minute I saw them. You’re inspiring! Mary
They turned out great!!
wow! i love this, I’ll think I’ll check thrift stores in the morning thank you!
Ohh, come back and post a link if you make them, I’d love to see how yours turn out 🙂