How to Make Shabby Chic Cast Iron Star Ornaments

Several years ago I was shopping in the antique stores of downtown Waxahachie when I ran across a booth full of cast iron hooks and shapes.  I’ve always loved the old stars that hang on the outside of the old downtown buildings so I picked up a few and made star ornaments from them!

These would be perfect for a shabby chic or farmhouse style Christmas tree! I’m even adding them to our Texas-themed Christmas tree to celebrate our first year back in Texas!

I discovered that they’re actually called “anchor plates” or “wall washers”.  They’re used to reinforce the old brick walls.  Here’s an example of one on an old brick building.

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Supplies for Farmhouse Style Star Ornaments

• 3″ cast iron stars with holes in the center   — We now sell these stars in our online shop — and we already painted them for you!!!
• spray paint – I used Rustoleum Satin Heirloom White
• rustic wire
• old rhinestone buttons
• E6000
• pliers
• wire cutters — NOT the ones you use for jewelry!  This wire is much harder and will damage your jewelry wire cutters.

Start by spray painting the stars.  This Homeright Spray Shelter comes in handy!  I use it all the time with my sprayer AND regular spray paint cans.

Watch out! Once I pull out this spray paint shelter I start painting everything in sight! It’s amazing what a little spray paint does to change up the looks of thrift store finds. I especially like spray paint for metal and plastic. It adheres better than chalk paint or latex and any rust doesn’t eventually peek through.

Next, cut off a piece of wire and wrap both ends through the hole in the center.

Then glue the rhinestone button in the middle.

Here’s the YouTube video we made to share the whole crafting process:

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That’s it… pretty easy, right?

Now, I want to hear what YOU think. Would you paint these different colors? Or keep them all white? I love how the white shows up on the tree.

You may see these again later with red and green paint… maybe for July 4th in red and blue?

More DIY Christmas Ornament & Decor Ideas

If you enjoyed these simple cast iron star ornaments, you might also like these:

• Nativity Scene Ornaments
• Doily and Burlap Christmas Ornaments
• 50 Easy Christmas Ornaments to Make
• Christmas Cloche from a Thrift Store Clock
• Terra Cotta Bell Christmas Ornament

Thanks for reading my posts!  Please feel free to pin and share on all your social media platforms!  We share at these blog parties.  Originally published on Jul 12, 2017.

‘Til the next project,

 Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim