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Upcycled Ceiling Fan Blades

Like every good neighbor, Prodigal Pieces is there! hee hee. Can I help my neighborhood tosses perfectly good items in the trash? If I don’t want to make use of it myself, I at least grab it and donate it so that someone can. When I came home from errands one day these laying on of the bags ripe for the picking. Shall we donate or create an upcycled ceiling fan blade project?

Trashed Fan Blades Before Upcycle by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

Of course, these are in great shape and could even be reused just as-is. However, I want to change up the typical dragonfly upcycle and create something different. If you haven’t seen those dragonflys, the jist of the project is using the blades as wings and the body using an old spindle table leg.

CUTTIN’ UP

Since I’m in the mood for spring…the real spring…without snow. ahem. First up, I remove the hardware and set that aside for later.

Removing Fan Blade Hardware | prodigalpieces.com

After that, I use my miter saw to cut off the end that held the hardware. That was a bit tricky with the angle of the blade. A steady hand and slow cutting makes it easier to get a straight cut. BTW, you can see how I made my miter hood using a baby tent HERE.

Cutting Fan Blades with Miter Saw | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Secondly, I make another cut halfway to get to semi-equal pieces. I’m aiming for a slightly shorter piece, so I trace the curved end using it as a template on the cut pieces. Then, I cut using my jigsaw.

Tracing Fan Blade for Upcycled Ceiling Fan Blade | prodigalpieces.com

NEXT STEPS

Meanwhile, I set about using my circular saw to cut a piece of scrap plywood from our current bedroom remodel. To get it looking the way I want, I use a reactive stain to give it a dark, aged look. Once cured, I then give a blue-wash of paint.

Painting Plywood Backing with Blue for Upcycled Ceiling Fan | prodigalpieces.com

For the next part, I attach the upcycled ceiling fan blades in a circular, but alternating, fashion using my brad nailer.

Nailing Upcycled Ceiling Fan Blades | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Now, I could stop here and totally leave it as-is. However, my artist side says, “It’s too flat and boring”. meh. These blades are not made of wood, but rather a manufactured material with veneers of white and wood grain. On the white side I create a flower design using my Dremel with my flex shaft attachment which makes detailing much easier. See also my salad bowls transformed. Have you ever used a Dremel? So seriously addictive.

Creating Flower Art with Dremel Flex Shaft Attachment | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Can you see the pretty flowers forming? It gets me so excited to get them all done and see it complete.

THE FINISH

After my DIY stent, the upcycled ceiling fan blades now grace the walls as a farmhouse style daisy.

Farmhouse Repurposed Wall Art from Upcycled Ceiling Fan Blades by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #farmhouse #diy #upcycled

Reclaimed Farmhouse Daisy Flower Wall Art by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #diy #art #farmhouse

If anything, it’s at least better that these blades don’t sit in a landfill, right? I’m just happy to have fun creating and the added bonus is making #trashure.

Repurposed Ceiling Fan Art from Ceiling Fan Blades by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #repurposed #diy #homedecor

Side View of Upcycled Ceiling Fan Blades Wall Art into Flower by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #art #flower #farmhouse

Likewise, aside from the use of reclaimed pieces being saved, I also love the texture and dimension it has. Even better, the fact that I get to use my tools to add even more texture is a bonus. Finally, to top it off, I use a dark wax to make those carved pieces have depth as well.

Closeup of Upcycled Ceiling Fan Blade Art by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #art #farmhouse #diy #homedecor

Now, I want to hear what you would have used the fan blades for? There are many ways, but the key is giving it a DIY a try.

Engraved Ceiling Fan Blade Wall Art by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #art #diy

Additionally, let’s inspire others to dig into their neighbor’s trash. haha! Pin and share.

Upcycled Ceiling Fan Blades are Prime for Upcycling into Farmhouse Wall Art by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #handmade #upcycled #diy

If you want to see what happens to the fan blade hardware, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. PLUS, you will get your FREE Furniture Buying Checklist and special discount to my shop. >>>>HEAD HERE TO SEE<<<<

Fan Blade Hardware Before Upcycle | prodigalpieces.com

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Also, more #trashure creations like these upcycled ceiling fan blades:

Trashure: Making Treasure Out of Trash by Prodigal Pieces | prodiaglpieces.com #prodigalpiecesA farmhouse industrial style cart made from reclaimed barn wood and a repurposed baby changing table. See the transformation at Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

Comments

  1. Jan says

    Sooooo creative!!

    I love seeing your ideas come to life!

    • Larissa says

      You just made my day, Jan. Thank you! I so enjoy sharing. 😀

  2. Rebecca - NC says

    So cute!! And I had no idea you could do that with a Dremel!!! I’ve now GOTTA try it…. ??

    • Larissa says

      You go girl! So good to hear from you, Rebecca. Thank you.

  3. Cathy says

    Wow!! I love this!!! Beautiful job!!

  4. Niki says

    So fun and cheery for spring, and pretty darn ingenuitive. Great job Larissa!

    • Larissa says

      You are so fun, Niki. It felt good to put these to use, and the hardware coming up next too. Thanks!!

  5. Michele M. says

    That is so clever and really nice artwork. Well done – yet another salvage you made into something wonderful!

  6. Cheryl Atkinson says

    Larissa, so cute.

    • Larissa says

      Thank you, Cheryl. Better to try than to fill the dump. hee hee.

  7. Jackie C says

    Found you through Confessions of a Serial DIYer. I saw something completely different looking at your 2nd picture. I thought that metal piece of hardware looked like a tulip ? Now I’m on the lookout for old fan blades with tulip-y hardware. Going to paint/seal, then poke one here and there in and around the plants in the flower beds for a bit of wimsey. Thanks for the inspiration.

    • Larissa says

      That’s awesome! Not only you finding me, but the inspiration you got from my project. Have fun!

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