Disclosure: I was compensated for doing this post with product. However, all the opinions stated here are my own. I only use products I love and would recommend to my viewers.
It’s my favorite time of the month again, the Int’l Bloggers Club Challenge. Each month five friends get together and share different topics from their corner of the world. In the past we have talked about Halloween, Fall and Summer. But this month we are doing something totally different. We are doing a “Thankful for Friends Gift Swap.” For the swap I have chosen to repurpose an antique cauldron for Christmas.
But let’s take it from the beginning. From time to time we bloggers like to do swaps where we send different items to one another and we repurpose them. However in our case, we could not do this because we all live very far from each other.
Instead of sending items to each other we opted to take pictures of things in our homes that needed makeovers or repurposing. Below are the items that I submitted. An antique cauldron, an electric roasting pan and a paper punch with missing pieces.
We then had to vote on each other’s submissions and the item with the most votes would be the one that we would have to work on. The consensus was that I should repurpose this cauldron. It would then be a gift to me from my dear friends of the Int’l Bloggers Club.
As you can see below, this cauldron was nasty. It was found in my basement, and probably would have stated there forever if it was not for this challenge. Full of rust and dirt, it was not something I would want to display in my home. In fact, I found out that it had been used in the past to dye fabric.
Apparently it has been around in our family since before the Revolution of 1821. So it really is an antique, at least 200 years old. It is a Turkish Copper pot cauldron with cast iron handles. Thanks to the hubs for all this info.
The first step was to give it a good cleaning. I poured lots of vinegar on it and scrubbed it with a soapy solution. Lo and behold I found lots of beautiful patina underneath all that black dirt.
The patina was nice but I wanted to preserve the old antique look with a bit more color so I added some burnished brass from DecoArt Metallic Lustre. You may remember when I used this particular product on my vintage suitcase and on the tin can repurpose. I’ve added Amazon links to these products below, if you’d like to purchase them.
Disclosure: The items below are affiliate links and link to Amazon.com. If you purchase any of these products through the links, I receive a small commission, that way I can continue to provide you with lovely content. There is no extra charge to you for purchasing through my affiliate links.
I watered it down a little and lightly dabbled it on. I also added some acrylic bronze color.
And this is how my antique cauldron looked after I was done with the dabbling. It certainly brings out the beauty of the metal. But I was not done.
I found this cake stand…
…and placed it inside the cauldron and added a black fabric on top. You can actually add anything at all, I was just looking for something to add height.
And because Christmas is right around the corner it was only natural that I’d want to make a decor using mini-Christmas trees and a Santa snow globe.
I added some gold strings onto the trees and placed stars at the top.
I liked the metallic look so much that I added this Christmas tree…
…and a small tealight holder with a pinecone inside.
But I didn’t like the tea light holder so I switched it out for this votive with the pinecone.
And for some more interest, a candle inside the gold Christmas tree. Don’t worry I promise not to light it.
And this is the Christmas gift given to me by my dear Int’l Blogger Club friends. And I have to stress here that it really was given to me by them because I would have never in a million years dragged that old metal heap out of the basement had they not prompted me to go looking for something. And I would also not have found out that I have an antique in my possession. It’s good to have friends like these who push you in the right direction!
Taking my cue from Santa’s snow globe, I also sprayed the trees and ground with Ice Crystal spray. You can read all about my accidental discovery of the snow spray that wasn’t here.
How much did all of this cost me? Only the price of the candle! Look around your home and use what you have. You would be amazed at how many things can be used over and over to create new looks and vignettes.
This project was done on a rainy morning outside on the balcony. The photos are not the best. But today I took the opportunity to take some more shots in sunny weather so you can actually see the beauty of the antique cauldron and how it shimmers.
And so I have a repurposed antique cauldron for Christmas! This was the best challenge yet. Not only did I get a great gift from my friends in the Int’l Bloggers Club. But I also had the opportunity to see this antique cauldron for what it really is – a genuine treasure. I guess from now on I need to have more respect for that basement of mine.
Happy Holidays everyone!!
If you like what you see, share it with your friends, or save it on Pinterest. Above is a Pinterest worthy image!
If you really like what you see subscribe to my blog and get my adventures twice a week in your mailbox. The form is on the sidebar and your e-mail will never be shared with a third party.
It is now time to visit the other ladies and see what they have prepared for this month’s “Thankful for friends Gift Swap” Challenge. Simply click on the images below my name. If you’d like to see more past challenges click here.
Disclosure: The items below are affiliate links and link to Amazon.com. If you purchase any of these products through the links, I receive a small commission, that way I can continue to provide you with lovely content. There is no extra charge to you for purchasing through my affiliate links.
More Int’l Bloggers Club Crafts:
<<Sweet Inspiration Link Party #32 HOME Easy Green Christmas Centerpieces>>
This blog is for entertainment purposes only; my DIY tutorials are not professional advice. Read my full disclaimer here.
This blog is for entertainment purposes only; my DIY tutorials are not professional advice. Read my full disclaimer here.
I love it when I get your comments and I will try reply to them or visit you on your blog. Please do not add a hyperlink to your comment, otherwise we cannot publish it.
Emma
Wednesday 10th of March 2021
since our deck is primarily a dining space, i like to have flowers on the dining table. in the past, i’ve just placed a pair of potted plants on either side of the umbrella on the table and called it done. however, because the two pots take up a lot of valuable real estate on our relatively small table, i end up removing them when we eat– which kind of defeats the purpose. when i investigated alternatives, i could only find round ready-made umbrella tabletop planters. because i wanted a long narrow planter, i decided to create my own rectangular planter. for this project, i started with a window box that wouldn’t take up too much space and could remain on the table all the time.
Repurposed Cordial Glasses and Saucers for a Spring Craft Pedestal -The Boondocks Blog
Wednesday 29th of April 2020
[…] their corner of the world. In the past we have talked about Valentine’s Day, and of course our special Gift Swap. This month we’re all about […]
Katrin
Monday 14th of November 2016
Mary, I would have used your lovely antique cauldron for the exact same idea! I love little vignettes and the cauldron is perfect for it, and you can use it all year round, which is great! You really gave it some glam with the brushes of brass to it but without taking away it's antique look which I love!
Mary
Friday 30th of December 2016
And to think Katrin that I had it in a corner as a piece of junk. Blogging really does help us to see things in a different light and to appreciate the cast aside thing.
Stacey Keeling
Monday 14th of November 2016
Very cool Ms. Mary. Pinned and shared. :)
Debrashoppeno5
Monday 14th of November 2016
The cauldron is beautiful and I am sure you will use it year round. The Christmas decorations in it are very lovely and a nice kick off for the holidays.
Mary
Friday 30th of December 2016
The cauldron was truly a find. I had never paid attention to it till Michelle came up with this challenge. I guess when you are forced to come up with something that is when you see the beauty in the junk.