There are many ways to decorate dollar store glassware, but this has to be one of the classiest I’ve seen! Transfer any image to dollar store glassware (like candle holders) using this method described over at The Graphics Fairy: [DIY Packing Tape Transfers]

Project Materials:

• Candle holder, $1
• Printed image, on hand
• Clear packing tape, $1

Project total: $2

The post How to Transfer Any Image to Dollar Store Glassware appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

When it comes to Halloween decor, my preferred aesthetic is spooky-but-not-too-spooky. These dripping blood candle holders fit right in with that look! Making them is extremely easy because gravity does most of the work. They’re a great finishing detail for a Halloween mantel, centerpiece, or anywhere else you need a little touch of creepy!

Project estimate:

• Glass candle holders or jars, on hand or $1 and up
• Red glass paint, on hand or about $2 and up*
• Wax paper, on hand or $1 and up
• Red LED candles, $1

Total: $1 and up

* I used DecoArt’s Americana Gloss Enamels in transparent red for a fairly realistic blood look.

To make my candle holders I used these votive holders from Dollar Tree that look like mini fish bowls. But you can do this project will all kinds of different glass candle holders, even small jars out of your recycling bin!

Lay out some newspaper and top with a piece of wax paper – this is gonna get messy!

Flip your containers upside-down on the wax paper and then pour some glass paint over them.  I used a paintbrush to push the paint around and make it drip where I wanted. Then just let them sit still to drip and dry.

When the paint is completely dry, carefully peel away the wax paper. If needed, use a craft knife to remove any excess paint from around the top of the candle holder, giving it a more finished look.

Read the instructions on your glass paint – some paints (especially multi-surface paints) will cure as they air dry, while other paints (especially glass-specific paints) will have directions for curing in the oven.

Then pop in a candle and enjoy! I found some red battery-powered votive candles, also from Dollar Tree, that I thought would be a great compliment to the dripping blood look.

The post Tutorial: Blood Drip Candle Holders appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Every girly-girl should have a pretty hand mirror! You could buy one from the store, but if you can’t find one that you like, or you want one that is special and unique, it’s super easy to make one from scratch!

Project estimate:

• Mirror candle base, $1
• Glass candle base, $1
• Knife, on hand or about $0.25 and up
• Ribbon, on hand
• Buttons, gems, and other embellishments, on hand or $1 and up
• E6000 glue, on hand
• Hot glue, on hand
• Nail polish, on hand
• Nail polish remover, on hand

Total:  $2 and up

Using a paper towel, wipe down the glass candle base and knife. Let dry.  Glue the mirror on the top of the candle base with your choice of glue. There is a space around the mirror. I glued small gems* around the mirror to fill in this space.

Turn the candle base over and glue the knife on. I have used E6000 on the knife handles for years without any problems.

Paint the bottom of the candle holder with a pretty nail polish. This will cover the back of the mirror. Let set overnight.

Cover the back of the mirror any way you like. It will take two levels to cover the back because the candle holder has small legs. I started with gluing gems around the edge of my nail polish*.

I then used random gems and ribbon to build up the bottom so it would be even with the legs.  I used hot glue to adhere gems to the middle of buttons and used them, too. Embellish as little or as much as you like.

*Using any “smelly” adhesive (E6000, etc.) may make the backs of the gemstones melt and bubble. If they have a sticky back, you’ll be fine. Leave it on the gem and glue to it. Hot glue didn’t affect my gems with or without the sticky back.  Because I used E6000, I used little loops of ribbon the bow to cover my gems on which the backs were melted.

The post Tutorial: DIY Hand Mirror appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

We firmly believe that the three Rs should be done in order – first reduce the amount of waste you create, then reuse everything you possibly can, and finally recycle whatever is left over.

You probably use a lot of products, especially food products, that come in glass jars. How can you reuse all of those jars? One way is to use them as candle holders! These glass jars have been rigged with wire hangers, giving them a lantern-like quality. Imagine how lovely our patio would look with a bunch of these hanging all around!

Project estimate:

• Jar, on hand
• Wire, on hand or $1 and pup
• Candle, on hand or $1
• Glue, on hand
• Food coloring, on hand
• Epsom salt (optional), on hand or $1

Total:  Free and up!

Clean the jar and dry. Depending on the size of your jar, add white glue and food colouring. I used one drop of green and two drops of yellow. With a sponge brush, mix the glue and food colouring and paint the inside of the jar. Let dry.  (If you plan to use this candle holder outside, substitute outdoor Mod Podge for the white glue to ensure durability.)

Measure around the jar, about 1/2″ from the top with the wire and add 4″ and cut it.  This piece will go around the neck of the jar.

For the handle, I made a loop at the top and made the wire on each side about 7″ long. Make sure the two sides are the exact same length and turn up the ends, making sure that the other wire will fit through them.

Run the first wire through the two loops and secure it behind one of the loops by twisting the two pieces together. Cut off the excess and bend it so that the sharp end is against the lip of the jar.

Add as much of the Epsom salts as you like and add the battery operated tea light.

Tips:

• The thick, colored floral wire from Dollar Tree is very pliable and easy to use.
• If you would like to colour the Epsom salts: put food colouring in a ziplock bag and add the Epsom salts. Close the bag securely and mix well.
• To give the inside of jar a frosted look, add some Epsom salts while the paint is still wet and roll the salt in the jar.

The post Tutorial: Hanging Mason Jar Candle Holders appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

You can make this cute tea light Christmas ornament for as little as two dollars!

Our ever-so-crafty DSC Facebook community moderator, Terrie, is with us once again today to share how she made this cute tea light ornament – and it’s super easy! If you enjoy this project, make sure your join the community to see tons more great ideas like this one!

Project estimate:

• Gold glitter glue, on hand or $1
• Glass tea light holders, 2 for $1
• Glittery battery-operated tealights, 2 for $1
• Tinsel pipe cleaners, on hand or $1

Total:  $2 and up

Paint the glass tea light holder with the glitter glue. Use a thin coat and if you want more sparkle either add glitter or paint several more thin coats.

Glue the ends of the pipe cleaner to make the handle.

***IMPORTANT***  Glue the pipe cleaner to each side of the glass tea light holder. If you don’t, your holder will tip over.

Turn the candle on and hang from your Christmas tree… Enjoy!

The post Tutorial: Tea Light Christmas Ornament appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

One of the many things I love about writing for Dollar Store Crafts is that DSC crafters are so open minded to different crafting ideas.  Occasionally, I’ve made something quite out of the norm (like this mirror) and been delighted to find that you all really liked the idea.  Two weeks ago I made a bottle topper out of a trophy, and I looked at the trophy pieces strewn on my desk and wondered what I could do with them.  I grabbed a few items and started playing.  This is what I came up with:  a one of a kind candle holder.

The first version of this was spray painted a neon yellow.  That was a disaster.  I didn’t prime anything, so the paint dripped and didn’t adhere evenly.  The color was a terrible choice.  Major craft fail!!  So I started over and made some adjustments, and I love the end result.  It’s unexpected but prettily shabby chic, I think.

The trophies can be found at garage sales and thrift stores (if you don’t already have a few collecting dust!), and the rest of the items were all found at Dollar Tree.

Project estimate:

• Trophy, on hand or $1 and up
• Silver platter, $1
• Resin bird, $1
• Bird cage, $1
• Silk Flowers, on hand or $1 and up
• Battery operated candles, on hand or $1
• E-6000, on hand
• Paint, on hand

Total: $3 and up

Step one:  Disassemble the trophy and reassemble it as desired.  Use E-6000 to glue the parts together.  You can see how I assembled my two candle holders below.

Step two:  Paint the entire project one color.  I used a large brush and chalky finish paint.

Step three:  Once it is dry, add birds, flowers, and candles.  Since these could tip over easily, I suggest  using battery operated candles, which are available at Dollar Tree.

I’m planning to add small pastel, plastic Easter eggs to my pink platter as a fun centerpiece.  The blue candle holder is on my  mantle, next to my decorated bottle.  I like to decorate with unusual, unexpected items.  Do you?

The post Recycled Craft: Candleholder Made From a Trophy appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

I love covered cake plates. Of course, everything you love is even better when it is in miniature! This darling cupcake cloche stand from Refresh Restyle is not only adorable but will save you big money over buying one of these in a store! It’s the perfect way to make dessert extra special. [how to make a gold glass cupcake cloche]

Project estimate:

• Glass candle plate, $1 and up
• Glass candle holder,  $1 and up
• Glass bowl shaped candle holder, $1 and up
• Spray paint, on hand or $3 and up
• E-6000 or glass glue, on hand
• Wood ball knob, $0.50 and up

Total: $3.50 and up

The post Make a DIY Cupcake Cloche appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

As a child of the 80s, I admit that I have somewhat of a nostalgic fascination with Perler beads.  I probably made a hundred different designs when I was a kid, but I never imagined that they had so many other possibilities beyond the little plastic peg boards!  This Perler bead candle holder by Mai at BudgetBabe is pretty amazing.  And while the website is in Danish, there is a handy translator button on the site’s sidebar that will put it into English for you, and the photos explain the process pretty well.  What other nifty decor items could you make using this type of method?  [how to make Perler bead candle holders]

Project estimate:

• Perler beads, $1
• Mug, on hand
• Vegetable oil, on hand
• Toaster oven or convection oven, on hand
• Candle, on hand or $1

Total:  $1 and up

The post Make Perler Bead Candle Holders appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Christmas is a great time to add touches of whimsy to your decor. This fat little snowman vase by Shannon at Madigan Made is so adorable and fun that you’ll feel sad packing him away at the end of the season! This one was made using a fishbowl-style vase, but any round container will work, including votive candle holders or recycled jars. And it would look so pretty with a tea light shining through from inside! [how to make an Epsom salt snowman vase]

Project estimate:

• Fish bowl vase, $1 and up
• Paint, on hand or $1 and up
• Epsom salt, on hand or $1 and up
• Spray lacquer, on hand or about $3 and up
• Ribbon, on hand
• Buttons or brads, on hand

Total:  $1 and up

The post Make an Epsom Salt Snowman Vase appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

I was so excited when I was walking down an aisle at Dollar Tree and saw a display with multiple colors and patterns of decorative tape. Decorative tape, also known in the crafty world as washi tape, is a pretty patterned masking tape that is easy to apply to anything (and just as easy to remove when you’re done!) Look below to find five crafts I made using the different styles  of tape I bought!

I had to pick up a roll of every style of decorative tape Dollar Tree had and can’t wait to see if they come out with any more.  This is the best price I’ve seen for washi tape, so thanks, Dollar Tree! If you were to purchase similar tape products from your local craft store a roll would cost about three times more.

I also recently learned about Dollar Tree’s Value Seekers Club, a free monthly program that provides a website full of crafts, recipes, décor, tips, contests, insider information, frugal fun ideas, and more! Just sign up for this free club at Dollar Tree’s website: Value Seeker’s Club.

Dollar Tree Value Seekers Club’s free content changes every month. This month there are tons of fun Halloween-themed ideas, as well as a fun article with five ideas for using decorative tape. I was inspired to try some of the ideas I found, and I even came up with a few of my own:

1. Washi Tape Idea: Decorative Pencil Holder (with Matching Pencil)

Project estimate:

• Terra cotta pot, $1
• Decorative tape, $1
• Craft paint, on hand
• Pencil, on hand or 10 for $1
• Rice, on hand

Total: $2 and up

Using this super cute terra cotta pot, a little paint, decorative tape and some rice, I was able to make a cute pencil hold which could also be used as a planter.  I couldn’t resist making a pencil to go with it.  Two strips of tape place over an average every day pencil made it so fun and cute.

My ten your old daughter tried to steal it before I could take a picture!

2. Washi Tape Idea: Decorate a Candle

I have purchased many candles from Dollar Tree and have them all over my house.  After I added come decorative tape and a burlap scrap I had, the candle has transformed in a piece my neighbors and friends all admire.

3. Washi Tape Idea: Decorate a Clipboard

I bought the clipboard because I needed it, but I was really uninspired by how plain it was.  The decorative tape has made it an item I absolutely love!

4. Washi Tape Idea: Cute Notebook

I have a addiction to cute, little items I find at Dollar Store! I usually just fill up my cart so I have a stash of dollar store stuff to work with. Once I brought home this cute decorative tape, I was able to transform a simple pocket note book into an adorable, useful object.

5. Washi Tape Idea: Sweet Wooden Box

I also added a couple of contrasting tapes to a small wooden box, turning it into something I am proud to display in my home.

I had so much fun working with this pretty decorative tape. Dollar Tree has many decorative tape styles not shown here. Once you get started covering stuff with decorative tape, you won’t be able to stop.

Value Seekers Club Giveaway! $100 Dollar Tree Gift Card

It’s easy to enter this giveaway — simply sign in with your Facebook account to easily enter to win one a $100 gift card to Dollar Tree!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don’t forget to check out Dollar Tree Value Seeker’s Club, become a member and get instant access to more decorative tape ideas, as well as a bunch of other great projects! And check out the dollar store crafting projects my fellow bloggers have come up with:

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