When I was younger, especially during my teenage years, thrift stores didn’t thrill me. I guess I was too worried about what other people might think. These days I really don’t care what others think, and it’s entirely possible I inherited the thrift store gene from my paternal grandma. She loved them. They’re a great place to go on treasure hunts, and the treasures are reasonably priced. I guess it just took a bit of maturity and a fully developed imagination to appreciate the potential of thrift stores. (The occasional visit to Pinterest probably helps too.)
My older daughter and I spent a couple of hours in the Salvation Army store a few days ago. Besides 2 skirts, 1 dress and a cashmere sweater, I got a glass candle holder and a plate. The grand total for everything was just under $25 including sales tax. The glass pieces were $2 and $3. I was actually looking for the components to make a cake stand. All clothing happened to be half off that day, so those items were a bonus.
The cake stand was a very quick project. I would say ten minutes tops, the majority of that time spent cleaning wax out of the candle holder. When I’m adhering one piece of glass to another, I prefer to use silicone-based aquarium sealer, instead of epoxy. Aquarium sealer doesn’t smell as strong, and it isn’t a 2-part product that has to be mixed. Before gluing the pieces together, the surfaces do need to be clean and dry. (The sealer is waterproof after it cures.) Put the sealer on the top of the base, than center the plate over the base if you’re using clear glass. For opaque pieces you will still want to put the sealer on the base. Lay the plate face-down and put the base in the center. The sealer sets in a few minutes. There is a little time to adjust placement of items, but you won’t want to smear too much of the sealer around. Don’t get carried away with the amount used either. Follow the sealer’s package directions for cure time, usually 48 hours. So if you are making this item as a gift, or for a special occasion you may be hosting, give yourself enough time to let it cure properly.
The one thing I don’t have to make my dessert stand complete is a glass dome. I’m hoping I’ll find one the next time I browse in a thrift store.
The Project Queen
I was going to fill the candle holder with small decorator marbles but changed my mind.
I decided the bubbles in the plate didn't need any competition.
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