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I always tell myself I’m done decorating for Christmas, but somehow the job is never truly finished. I love repurposing items and turning overlooked things into new decorations. For this project I shopped at the Dollar Tree with a specific plan in mind, but what I came home with ended up being something a little different—and better.
Today I’m sharing a simple, budget-friendly Christmas wall decoration made from dollar store finds and one salvaged item from home. At the end I’ll also mention what a few fellow crafters created for the same challenge.
When I browsed my local Dollar Tree there were lots of cute things, but on a return visit the selection had changed and most of the nicer ornaments were gone. After searching the aisles I found only a few usable pieces and two glittery stars that caught my eye. Rather than let a disappointing trip stop me, I decided to combine those stars with an old clock frame I already had at home.
What I used
- An old broken round clock frame (plastic)
- Americana chalky finish paint in a soft white (Everlasting)
- Daddy Van’s decorative wax in Cafe Noir
- DecoArt Metallic Lustre in White Frost
- Two dollar store glitter stars
- Red wired-edge ribbon
- Brushes
- Thin wire
- Clear thread or fishing line
My dad dug this plastic clock frame out of the basement and handed it over. Although it was clearly fake and a little tired-looking, it had good bones for a makeover. I left it in the living room for a few weeks until I knew exactly how to transform it into holiday wall art.
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The how-to
Step 1: Prime and paint the frame. I applied three quick coats of white chalk-style paint to the plastic frame to create a matte, even base. Chalk paint dries fast, so this part took very little time and provides a perfect neutral canvas.
Step 2: Add subtle sheen to the central area. The cardboard back of the frame was flat-looking, so I brushed a thin layer of Metallic Lustre in White Frost over it. This added a pearly sheen and visual interest without competing with the stars that would be added later.
Step 3: Apply decorative wax for depth. I used Daddy Van’s Cafe Noir wax, brushing it into the crevices and then wiping off the excess with a clean cotton cloth. The wax settled into details and gave the frame an aged, slightly rustic finish that makes the faux wood look more believable and adds warmth.
Step 4: Secure the stars. I attached the first glitter star by threading a short length of thin wire through the star and feeding it through the center hole where the clock hands had once been. The second star was tied into place with nearly invisible clear thread at two discreet attachment points so it appears to float over the backing. I chose thread instead of glue so the stars can be removed and reused for other projects later. If you prefer a permanent attachment, strong craft glue works as well.
Step 5: Add a finishing bow. I tied a red wired-edge ribbon at the top to introduce a pop of color and create a handsome contrast to the white and glitter. A burlap or neutral ribbon would look lovely too depending on your decor.
The wax and metallic layers work together to make the piece feel both polished and slightly rustic. The original fake-wood appearance is gone, replaced with a neutral, versatile ornament that can blend with many decorating styles.
This project rescued an old piece that had been cluttering my living room and turned it into a charming wall hanging. It’s simple, inexpensive, and makes a sweet handmade gift because the neutral palette will fit into nearly any home.
Keeping that old frame in sight until inspiration struck paid off. If I’d tucked it away, I might never have repurposed it. This month’s dollar store craft turned into a holiday wall decoration that is both thrifty and attractive.
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Other crafters who joined this dollar store challenge included Across the Boulevard, Dazzled While Frazzled, My Husband Has Too Many Hobbies, Purple Hues and Me, Sew Crafty Crochet, Stone Cottage Adventures, The Boondocks Blog, and Two Chicks and a Mom—each created unique holiday projects using budget finds.
More thrifty ideas and past holiday projects can be found on the blog, including an old-fashioned Christmas and simple painted candle jar techniques. These tutorials show how just a few inexpensive materials can become charming seasonal decor.
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