My heart always races at this time of the month because it’s Trash to Treasure time! Bonus is that Christmas is just around the corner and celebrating our Savior’s birth can’t be beat. My choice for today’s Trashure makeover has a crazy story. Follow along as I show you how I took a set of thrifted salad bowls and made repurposed Christmas trees. So fun!
So, the story goes I spied this set in the thrift store – big surprise, I know. Pretty much anything wooden always makes me go oooh… I picked them up to see if there was any damage and mulled them over. I already had plenty of project pieces at home and didn’t have an ah-ha moment when I first saw them, so I put them back reluctantly as I have had thrift store remorse before. Anyone else every experience that – where you put something back and never got back for it only to kick yourself later?
Wouldn’t you know as soon as I pulled down the street it hit me what to do with them. I didn’t dare turn around as I had a truck full of my 6 hungry kids and so we headed home. Now I have a bee in my bonnet and my scheming brain starts to churn.
JC and I talk for a bit at lunch every day and I told him my plight and asked if he would stop by to pick them up on the way home. I was nervous as I had hoped they would still be there for my sake and for his. I even told him, “They’re on the very back bottom shelf…etc.”. Logistics in these matters are key as husbands need all the help they can get, right? hahaha…he such a awesome hubby.
DIY TIME
At this point you might be thinking I’m loony to think I can see trees in old salad bowls, but stay with me. First of all, I know my wood stash has some goodies for me and I do find what I’m looking for…a couple of oak pencil stick table legs from this awesome haul mentioned HERE, and scrap reclaimed hickory from our kitchen countertops soon to be revealed.
It was pretty easy to use my drill and spade bit (shown on the right) to connect them together. You can use a forstner bit (show on the left) as well the difference is it will make your hole have a flat bottom. I simply made a hole in the hickory and stuck the table leg in. I could have glued everything together with wood glue, but I want this to be dry fit so that it can be taken apart and stored when the holiday is over.
To make holes in the bowls, I use the same bits and drill away. Now comes the fun part!! I have long-since loved my Dremel I received as a gift from my parents about 10 years ago. You know my motto #toolsoverjewels. {{fist pump action}} As a treat to self, I purchased this flex shaft attachmentthat allows me to do to more detailed work. I have managed with my regular tool for all those years in my creations, but this will make my job go faster and be easier on my hands and wrists. Plus, depending on the bit you use, this works for stone, glass, metal…just about anything.
FUN TOOLS
The minute I plugged it in and turned it on, I squealed!! This thing ROCKS! I couldn’t believe how much easier it was to get the detailed work done. All 7 other members of my family had a spin with it too. This is when my mind begins to reel at the doors this has opened up for me. You see, I drew my design on the bowls and used the Dremel to carve the designs. Easy enough, right? All I needed was the right bit for the job. My repurposed Christmas trees are coming alive!
I had to park myself on the floor as we are currently in hot mess state in our workshop and kitchen where our remodel is happening. All work surfaces are occupied with big projects. You’ll always find me working on the floor anyway, but at this point I keep saying to myself…I need a studio. Don’t you agree? hee hee hee
THE REVEAL
Once I got started, there was no stopping me. I was so excited to be able to achieve the vision I was after. With a bit more doing and creating, here is what my thrifted salad bowls turned repurposed Christmas trees look like now…
If you look close, you’ll see the detail work I did. Plus, I added some red beads plugged into spots I made with my tool.
For added whimsy to the top, I took more reclaimed oak from our kitchen remodel and cut a couple of stars with my jig saw. Love me some reclaimed wood…mmm.
And for added fun I even installed a few string lights so you can see the lights shining out the holes I created with my drill. Can you tell I had fun with this? Here they are with no lights on in the house, just the Christmas tree, our fireplace, and a couple of candles lit in the background.
What a wonderful feeling it is to sit with family and enjoy being together with the lights off and talking. Just being. Sigh…
Likewise, I hope you are savoring the season and making the most of this blessed time of year. It’s so easy to get caught up on the craziness. I’m all about less is more, even in the doing.
If you would like to make these trees your own you can find them and more holiday goodies, as well as many other items available in my online shop. (SOLD)
Do pin and share my repurposed Christmas trees from salad bowls. You never know when inspiration will strike someone to get their DIY groove on too!
UP NEXT
Up next, Mr. O (my youngest son) and I are going to do a mama-son project with this thrifted chair we found. Head here to see it anew.
To get these DIY tips & tricks in your inbox, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. PLUS, you will get your FREE Furniture Buying Checklist and special discount to my shop. Be sure to head below to see what my blogger friends have created for you too!
In addition, check out the fabulous makeover by my awesome Trash to Treasure friends:
Positively brilliant! I adore the way you express your creativity!
Christina, you just made my day. Thank you for the smile! 😀
Oh, my this is the best. I love this tree and let me tell you I love my Christmas trees. I am so glad JC was able to find the bowls.
You are the best, Debra!! Thank you so much. Yes, glad he followed directions. haha!
I love the trees. Your talents and creativity blows my mind. So happy you won the paint brushes contest.
Thank you!! I am blessed to be able to share.
That is one of the best repurposed projects ever! Very clever and so very cute! Love them!
Thank you for the love, Cecilia! I had fun. 😀
You are just amazing! The detail work on the bowls is simply gorgeous!!! Another wonderful trash to treasure story.
It made my heart happy to get the idea out of my head and into real life. Thank you for the kind words, Cathy.
Your creativity never stops! Who would have ever seen these bowls and thought of Christmas trees besides you! Love them. I’m glad you won the paint brush contest.
I’m a nut like that! hahahah!! Thank you, Debra. 🙂
SO Cute, Larissa!! I think God gave you my share of creativity! These are just the sweetest!
You are hilarious!! Seriously made my day. Thank you!
I love these trees! What an idea and amazing results. They’re perfect for your home.
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas to you too!!
Your detail-work skills are amazing! Bowls to trees-now THAT is some creative thinking! : )
Only a nut, right? hahaha… JC didn’t know what to think when I told him. So funny! Thank you for the love.
Of course these turned out amazing, Larissa! Only you would have the vision and be able to execute this makeover so well. xo
Hugs to you, Jen! It was fun to see my vision come to life.
Are you serious?! These are so amazing Larissa! I love them… and never in a million years would have thought to make a Christmas tree frim salad bowls. You are so creative girl! 🙂 Liz
haha!! You made me giggle, Liz. Thanks so much!
Awww I love the way that scheming brain of yours works. Ha! Not in a million years could I have envisioned these lovely trees! Way to go Larissa!!
Scheming is right. All the time. woot!
Love it! And love the story of how u finally got them after abandoning them first:)
Kicked myself a thousand times. hahaha! Thanks so much.
SO funny that you had your hubby go back for the bowls…glad they were still there! Love how that creative brain of yours works! XO
He is used to it by now, and always asks a thousand questions as to not mess up. haha… poor guy.
Those are perfect Larissa! I love the designs you put on these and how clever to add the lights! So creative! xoxo
It was a blast to just give it a try. Thanks, Nancy!
These are absolutely my favorite DIY Christmas Trees EVER!
Sweet! What’s even more fun is when JC was shipping them at his work, all the ladies came around to check them out and kept asking if I’d make more. Made my day.