How to Create Pretty Holiday Decor with an Old Tray

A few weeks ago I shared my wreath with you. It was such a great wreath and oh so full … in fact those bells were so full that I couldn’t close my storm door on them. So I had to move them elsewhere.

Today I’m here to share how I made them look so lovely and bright, and where I put them to make a pretty holiday decor with an old tray.

Bells on tray hung up on wall, How to Create a Pretty Holiday Decor with an Old Tray www.theboondocksblog.com

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What I used:

Deco Art Americana Chalky Finish Paint, 8-Ounce, Everlasting

Decoart 1 oz Frost White Metallic Lustre Wax

Daddy Van’s All Natural Antique Brown Decorative Wax

DecoArt Americana Chalkboard Paint, 2-Ounce, Black Slate

And for the rest of the project:

Old plastic bells

an old silver tray
chalkboard paint
twine
traditional clothespin
A green ribbon

These old bells were part of an old Christmas decoration that I found at the house. It seems we accumulate things over the years and after a while they start to look outdated. But that does not mean we should automatically throw them away. I was able to pick and choose what to keep and then upcycle them, just like these bells.

As you can see below this is how they started out. The bells were made from cheap plastic in a goldish tinge. Yuk!

the bell before, How to Create a Pretty Holiday Decor with an Old Tray www.theboondocksblog.com

The How -To:

The first step was to paint the exterior surface with a chalky type paint. A few coats covered it.

chalky painted bell, How to Create a Pretty Holiday Decor with an Old Tray www.theboondocksblog.com

Once that was done I wanted to add a bit of shine so I went over the top part with Metallic Lustre in White Frost. You can see the difference in the photo below, the left hand side bell is all shiny.

one bell with lustre the other without, How to Create a Pretty Holiday Decor with an Old Tray www.theboondocksblog.com

The final step to make my bells swing worthy was to add a bit of decorative wax. I won this stuff from a giveaway that was hosted by Brenda of Unique Junktique. Go check out Brenda’s blog, you are going to love what you see there! I also love this wax and plan on using it everywhere!

Daddy Vans Decorative wax, How to Create a Pretty Holiday Decor with an Old Tray www.theboondocksblog.com

It gives a nice look to the bottom rim of the bells and also makes the design stand out much more.

the embellishments with dark wax, How to Create a Pretty Holiday Decor with an Old Tray www.theboondocksblog.com

Once my bells were done and I realized they would not stand a chance in the front door, I rummaged around and found this old tray which is a left over from the past. See those cool diagonal stripes mixed in with the buffed circles? I think it can’t decide if it wants to be seventies or eighties decor. One thing I do know is that it was in really bad shape and it needed a new purpose in life.

I grabbed my trusty chalkboard paint and painted it black. A few coats and it was covered. Now I could have gone the full route, and I just might in the future, but for now I left it just plain black.

old tray, How to Create a Pretty Holiday Decor with an Old Tray www.theboondocksblog.com

I love the distressed beauty of it. And I can always add chalk to it and cure it to turn it into a chalkboard.

painted tray with chalkboard paint, How to Create a Pretty Holiday Decor with an Old Tray www.theboondocksblog.com

To finish off the look I just passed traditional clothespins through the bells with twine and then added the green ribbon.

adding a clothespin to the bell, How to Create a Pretty Holiday Decor with an Old Tray www.theboondocksblog.com

Gotta love the aged beauty of that handle. But not the mixed seventies/eighties look of the tray itself.

handle of the tray, How to Create a Pretty Holiday Decor with an Old Tray www.theboondocksblog.com

This has to be my perfect project, it’s got upcycled bells, a repurposed tray and is in the holiday spirit. What else could I ask for?

two bells displayed on the chalkboard tray with green ribbon, How to Create a Pretty Holiday Decor with an Old Tray www.theboondocksblog.com

And that is how I was able to upcycle my bells, use them in a great spot without them getting squished and also repurpose that dated tray. I think it makes great Holiday decor!

I hope you will pop on over to Brenda’s blog Unique Junktique and check it out. She is so talented and really knows how to transform furniture.

How to create pretty holiday decor with bells and an old repurposed tray, #repurposed #christmascraft #holidaycraft #chalkboardcraft #repurposedtray #Christmasdecor #easyhristmascraft #christmasbells How to Create a Pretty Holiday Decor with an Old Tray www.theboondocksblog.com

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More ideas for the holidays:

Christmas Wreath

Christmas tree inspiration

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Rhonda

Tuesday 18th of December 2018

I love the bells. They remind me of my childhood. My father always placed red ones on the front door.

Katerina Konstantinou

Monday 18th of December 2017

I was waiting for this post with the pretty bells! Amazing idea to use a tray! Great work!

Mary

Thanks Katerina. I had to put that old thing somewhere and when I had the bells left over it just clicked.

Patti

This is so pretty and so very clever. Pinning!

Thanks so much Patti, I just had to find a spot for those bells.

Jeanie Croope

What a great idea, Mary! It looks perfect!

Thank you so much Jeanie. I was so glad I found a use for both of those items.

Doreen&foxdenrd

Great transformation Mary! Love the contrast of black and white. Where did you end up using the tray?

Doreen I can't believe I fooled you. The tray is right behind the bells. I painted it with black chalkboard paint to act as a backdrop for the white bells. Can you see the handle on the bottom? ;)

​What I used:

​The How -To:

What I used:

The How -To: