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How to Make a Christmas Craft With Dollar Store Items

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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. 
I keep on saying I am finished with my Christmas decorations but really you know I ‘m not. I’m never finished because there is just too much stuff to be repurposed and it seems to be right in front of me all of the time. Case in point what happened for this project. 

But I’m getting ahead of myself.  Today I am back again with my dollar store crafting buddies.  You may remember we did this a while back and I made a beautiful dollar store fall wreath. Well today I am going to show you how to make a Christmas craft with dollar store items. 


​At the end of this project you’ll be able to see what my friends did with their dollar store finds. 
Dollar Store Logo, How to Make a Christmas Craft with Dollar Store Items www.theboondocksblog.com
I had gone to my local Dollar Tree and seen so many pretty things I was itching to get started with this project.  I left to go get some groceries and well, you know how that goes.  When I came back a few days later it was like a different store. No fancy ornaments, no decor by the gallon.  The only thing that was hanging on the walls was a whole lot of gift bags.  Ugh!! You know how I like to wrap my own presents. 

I looked all over the store and found some not so nice things and only one thing that really caught my eye. My dollar store items were these two glittery stars. 
Stars bought from the Dollar Tree, How to Make a Christmas Craft with Dollar Store Items www.theboondocksblog.com

What I used:

  • An old broken round clock frame
  • Americana chalky type paint in Everlasting
  • Daddy Van’s decorative wax in Cafe Noir 
  • DecoArt Metallic Lustre in White Frost
  • 2 dollar store glitter stars
  • red ribbon with wire sides
  • brushes
  • wire
  • thread

​My dad unearthed this old clock frame from the basement.  As you can see it is worthless and it is also plastic.  Something had to be done with it pronto!  I had it lying around in my living room for a month, just taking up space till the time rolled around for this project.  Once I had bought my stars home I knew just what to do with it. 
old plastic clock frame, How to Make a Christmas Craft with Dollar Store Items www.theboondocksblog.com
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links .  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.
craft


​The How -To:

The first step was to go over the plastic with three coats of chalk paint.  Just enough to cover it and use it as a base.  It took practically no time at all since the paint dries so fast. 
painting the frame with chalky type paint, How to Make a Christmas Craft with Dollar Store Items www.theboondocksblog.com
Because the center cardboard paper part looked really flat, I decided to add the Metallic Lustre White Frost to give it a bit of sheen.  No need to worry about perfection here since this would be the background. I just put it on with a brush and it dried in seconds.   Doesn’t it look like a pearl?
adding metallic lustre to the cardboard part of the clock frame, How to Make a Christmas Craft with Dollar Store Items www.theboondocksblog.com
I then added the Daddy Van’s Cafe Noir wax, a few coats with a thick round brush. 
adding wax over the frame part of the clock, How to Make a Christmas Craft with Dollar Store Items www.theboondocksblog.com
And then wiped it off with a clean cotton cloth.  You can see that some of the wax stays in the crevices and gives the piece an aged feel. 
wiping the wax off, How to Make a Christmas Craft with Dollar Store Items www.theboondocksblog.com

​I then attached the first star by using a wire and passing it through the star into the back of the clock.  There was a hole in the center from where the hands used to be.  The second star was attached by very thin thread in two strategic points on either side of the star. 

​You cannot see the threads at all and the reason I did this instead of using glue is because I may want to use the stars for another project later on.  It would be a shame to have them damaged from the glue. Of course you can go ahead and use the glue.  I’m very noncommittal when it comes to my projects. 

securing the star with a wire, How to Make a Christmas Craft with Dollar Store Items www.theboondocksblog.com
The final step was to add a pretty bow on top.  I went for red this time because I wanted a nice contrast to all of that white and glitter.
Adding a red ribbon to the top, How to Make a Christmas Craft with Dollar Store Items www.theboondocksblog.com
 

​I’m sure it would have looked just as pretty with another color or a burlap ribbon. 

red ribbon on the top of the frame, How to Make a Christmas Craft with Dollar Store Items www.theboondocksblog.com
The wax really helps to give the frame a classy feel. But also a bit rustic too. While the before was all about the wood, it was so obviously fake that it did nothing to make you want to keep it. But now it can go with almost any decor. 
stars attached to the clock frame, How to Make a Christmas Craft with Dollar Store Items www.theboondocksblog.com
So even thought I went to the store and did not find the plethora of things I had expected, I was still able to save the situation.  I think it turned out just great. 
2 stars from the dollar store set into a clock frame, How to Make a Christmas Craft with Dollar Store Items www.theboondocksblog.com
In fact, it would make a wonderful gift. And would fit in just about any home because it is so neutral. 
2 clocks set into a clock frame repurposed as Christmas decor, How to Make a Christmas Craft with Dollar Store Items www.theboondocksblog.com
So you see, keeping that clock frame within my sight all that time really paid off. If I had hidden it away somewhere I never would have remembered it and it would still be collecting dust somewhere.

And that was my dollar store craft for this month and of course it had to be a holiday wall decor.  But more importantly I finally got that old clock frame out of the living room and onto a wall. 

 

Now scroll below to see what my friends have done with their Dollar Store items. 

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How to make a Christmas craft with 2 stars from the dollar store set into a clock frame, #Christmas Crafts #ChristmasWallDecor #Repurposedwallclock #DollarStoreItems How to Make a Christmas Craft with Dollar Store Items www.theboondocksblog.com
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Make sure to hop on over and visit my blogging friends to see what they have come up with for this dollar store craft challenge. 
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  1. Jelica Zdero says:

    Mary, you are a dollar store guru! You seem to always know how to make inexpensive finds sing!

  2. Bliss says:

    I can see that as a door wreath that can withstand the elements!

  3. Wow Mary… every item in your house or dollar store is soon to be a perfect decor item! You did excellent work once more my friend 🙂

  4. Carolann says:

    Wow, that’s such a beautiful idea! I love to repurpose things around the house and the stars are the hit of this project!

  5. Beverly says:

    Your star decoration is lovely, Mary. I like the layered look. I’ve learned that if I see something I want at a dollar store, I’d better go ahead and buy it. I’ve gone back to find what I wanted was all sold out, too.

  6. Another awesome repurpose Mary! You gave that old broken down clock a new purpose. And what a great repurpose, it turned out so pretty. No more ugly clock, just some pretty holiday decor, and then change the ribbon later to use as everyday decor.

  7. Such a pretty decoration Mary. I love stars and am sure I’d be keeping this up all year round. Great inspiration!

  8. This is so pretty. I love how you framed out the stars. The red ribbon gives it a nice pop of color.

  9. I love this, Mary! What a great way to jazz up that old clock! We have a clock that fell off the wall and I’ve stashed it underneath… might have to pull it out and make something similar. Happily pinning to my Crafts to Make board several times this week for you. 🙂
    Enjoy your Christmas decorating/decorations/crafting! I’m never really done, either… always redecorating. Lol!
    xoxo Barb 🙂

  10. I just fall in love with all your DIY’s they are so unique and they all have this Global vibe to it, maybe its something from being in Greece. Very cool. Merry Christmas.
    Maria

  11. Nice, Mary! It looks like something FAR more than a dollar!

  12. Pili says:

    Another great repurpose Mary, the stars fit perfectly there and you can use them again for another project.

  13. Carol says:

    Oh I know the feeling of thinking you’re done and…. Absolutely love what you did w/ these. I made a tree topper out of the same stars!

  14. Keri Roberts says:

    Mary, this is such a creative and beautiful repurpose of the clock and stars!! I love the red bow on top. This is such a beautiful piece of wall art.

  15. Amber Harrop says:

    Only you could take something from the dollar store and make it look great Mary

  16. Leanna says:

    This is beautifully done Mary. It truly looks boutique to me and I love how neutral it is. The pearl background looks great as does the wax shadowing. Perfection lady, beautiful transformation.

  17. Mother of 3 says:

    Very pretty! I love the sparkly stars but would have been stumped with what to do with them.

  18. Elise Ho says:

    What a creative ideas. Have wonderful holiday and keep on crafting.

  19. Cute decor item, Mary! Happy holidays in NYC. Visiting from Dollar Store Craft Challenge.

  20. Nancy Andres says:

    Thanks Mary for hosting. Visiting Sweet Inspirations with Shower Power and Affirmations. Hope it reminds everyone to take good self-care now and into the New Year. Your Christmas craft star is amazing. Thanks for sharing. I pinned it and will share about the party.

  21. Dealman says:

    @ Marry
    You’re absolutely brilliant. Great post.
    Lisa

  22. Thanks so much for stopping by!! What a great project! Love the finished product!
    Hug,
    Deb

  23. Stacey says:

    Mary, that turned out beautifully!

  24. Laurie says:

    Mary, What a fun craft this is! Would never have guessed what was used for the base and it makes a lovely backdrop for the glitter stars! Pinned.

  25. Florence says:

    Mary, you amaze me with your creativity! About how big is that clock & how big are the stars? How come I never find any of that in MY Dollar Store? Huh? Huh? Huh? All I see are shopping bags. I do try. This looks so nice though…just like something store-bought…really. The red ribbon is the perfect colorful touch.

  26. Marie says:

    I really like this, Mary! I could see it hung as a front door wreath as well. This is the perfect marriage between dollar store finds and recycling. Very high end looking – love it – pinned it!

  27. I loved the natural colors that you picked for this project! Indeed this would make a perfect gift!

  28. You’re always coming up with something to rescue items doomed for the trash Mary!
    Hope you’re enjoying your first Christmas (in a while) in NY.
    xxx

    • Mary says:

      I am having a great time and my Christmas is complete. e have had snow twice and I even got to shovel. The experience is complete. Now to just lay back and enjoy!

  29. Another great repurpose project, Mary! And this one looks amazing and very pretty using dollar store stars! What a great idea! Looks like you have another basement filled with repurpose surprises!

    • Mary says:

      I certainly hope so Gail. If not then I’m sure my Dad will find lots of fun stuff to bring my way.

  30. Darn it!!! I hate it when that happens. You’ve got all these visions in your head and then the store no longer has the stuff, but you still made a plan Mary and it looks lovely. Did your dad recognize the old plastic clock when he saw what you’d done?

  31. How pretty! I love the use of a broken clock! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

  32. Awe! This is sooo beautiful!!! You’re absolutely brilliant, dear Mary!

  33. Hi Mary. I would never have thought to use an old clock frame–such a great idea! I do love the look of your finished product. Pinned!

  34. Janet says:

    What a great repurpose this is Mary…pinning for future reference!

  35. Katrin says:

    Oh I hate when that happens, and I always try to get stuff right when I see it because it has happened a lot of times that when I wait too long, I end up with nothin! But you made it work, these two stars really found their spot in this beautiful frame!

  36. Jessica says:

    I love the stars you used in this! They turned out so beautifully! The entire thing looks so pretty!

  37. Uwe says:

    Mary, you did a great Job!
    Best wishes
    Uwe

  38. That is really beautiful! It has a lovely old world feel to it! I love it!

  39. Debbie says:

    Hi Mary, is there nothing you can’t recycle? You’ve managed to make a lovely Christmas decoration out of rubbish! When I look at a broken clock I see a broken clock, no matter how hard I look!
    xx

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