Welcome to the first Thrift Store Decor Upcycle Challenge of the year! We took a few months off for the holidays, but now we’re back to share more upcycled thrift ideas! This year we have even more bloggers and TONS of thrifty upcycle ideas to get those wheels spinning. Today I’m sharing a DIY recipe box. You won’t believe the transformation! Here’s what it looked like when I found it at my local thrift store. Can you see the price tag? Only 50 cents!
And the best part was inside. The old recipe dividers were still there. Looks like they were owned by someone who actually did some cooking! Too bad they didn’t leave the recipe cards. I would have loved to have those, too!
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Supplies for Metal Recipe Box Makeover
- vintage metal recipe box
- DecoArt Chalky Finish, Yesteryear
- white paint
- Iron Orchid Designs Vintage Art Decor Mold – If these are sold out, this style is very similar. And find lots more Baroque style molds HERE.
- cornstarch
- paper clay
- wood glue
- paintbrush
- 7 Gypsies paper, Honeymoon
- DecoArt Decou-Page, Matte
How to Update the Thrift Store Recipe Box
First, make the baroque detail piece by rolling a piece of paper clay in your hands to get it flexible. Brush a little cornstarch onto the mold so the clay won’t stick. Press the clay into the mold. Remove excess. Turn the mold upside down and gently roll the paper clay piece out. It doesn’t need to dry in the mold.
Here’s the video to show how easy this really is.
Glue onto the front of the recipe box.
Paint the entire box with gray paint. No need to prime if you use chalk or mineral-based paint. Touch up if needed. One coat may do it.
Allow gray paint to dry completely. Dry brush white paint very lightly over the entire box.
Now for the inside, trace around the bottom of the box on the scrapbook paper and cut a little smaller to fit in the top and bottom. Brush on a thin coat of decoupage medium, apply paper and brush another thin coat on top.
More Thrift Store Makeovers
If you liked this DIY recipe box, check out all the other AMAZING upcycled projects!
Thanks for reading about my DIY recipe box! Let me know what you think about the molds.
‘Til the next project,
Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim
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Featured on: Merry Monday #143, Craft Schooling Sunday, Crafty Weekends Party Originally published on January 26, 2017.
Claire says
I didn’t even know you could buy moldings like that, that’s definitely sparked my imagination. Great upcycle.
Amanda @ The Kolb Corner says
What a score it would have been to have those original recipe cards! I love the detail you gave the front of it and the gray color is perfect!
ducttapeanddenim says
I’m still looking for vintage recipe cards!
Deborah says
Oh, it’s just beautiful and the color is amazing.
ducttapeanddenim says
Thanks!
Michelle James says
This is so great! I’ve been dying to try the iron orchid molds!
sherry cole says
It looks totally different. Great job!
Debrashoppeno5 says
I love it. And yes it would have been great if the recipes were included. Nevertheless, you did an amazing job making the plain recipe box so pretty. I need to check the molding technique.
Kimm at Reinvented says
Love this Ann! I’ll be looking forward to your video on the clay technique! Have a great weekend!
Sue Purdy says
Oh wow! I love this cute little recipe box. And that baroque appliqué is perfect.
Dru says
I see these metal boxes all the time at the thrift store and never know what to do with them. Now I know. Love it.
ducttapeanddenim says
Try it! I’m sure they’ll turn out beautiful.
Kim~madeinaday says
This looks like it always should of looked this way. Love the blue!
Kim
Lora says
I love old recipes, and this is a perfect little box for them 🙂
Ashley ~ 3 Little Greenwoods says
Adding that wooden piece to the front is so smart! Love the painting technique too.
Thanks so much for the DIY inspiration!
{BIG hugs}
~ Ashley
Chelsea @ The Johnsons Plus Dog says
That’s adorable! I love how it turned out. I love the little touch that the white dry brush adds.
Pili says
Any box looks better with a mold, and yours is perfect! Love the color too
Toni | Small Home Soul says
I love that box now but the old way reminded me of my sweet grandmas recipe box. I love the new update, and that mold technique is pretty cool!
Kim says
Ooooh, I love that molding you added!!! It looks fab!
Megan says
So clever to add the molding! Nice update!
Sam @ Raggedy Bits says
Gorgeous upcycle! Love the moulding you put on the front of the box!
ducttapeanddenim says
Thanks, Sam!
Janet Vinyard says
Lovely transformation! Love the baroque detail! What a great idea! Well done! Blessings, Janet
Florence @ VintageSouthernPicks says
I think I even have one of those “dullsville” recipe boxes around here that I figured was hopeless for selling. You have given me new inspiration! Love how yours turned out with the decal!
Marilyn Lesniak says
Thank you so much for linking at #overthemoon! I look forward to seeing what you share every week. Please come back next week and allow us to promote your content!
Carol ("Mimi") says
I never knew you could make embellishments from a mold like that. It really completely changes the look of the box, along with the paint. Really nice transformation.
Sharon@BlueWillowHouse says
I would have walked right by that metal recipe box at the thrift store. You have a great imagination for creating such an adorable recycle. Thank you for sharing your upcycle at the Snickerdoodle Create~Bake~Make link party!
Angie ~ ambient wares says
Very clever and cute! Thanks for sharing with us at Funtastic Friday! Pinned & sharing
ducttapeanddenim says
Thanks, Angie!
Emily says
What a great makeover! I love that the old dividers were still in there. Thanks for linking up with Merry Monday; I’m featuring your project in my round-up for this week’s party, which goes live tonight!
ducttapeanddenim says
Thanks so much! I just linked back to the party, too!
Kippi says
Cute card file box. I still use them, but mine is not that cute. Happy Summer, Kippi
Rebecca says
Such a great upcycle! We’d love for you to come link up at Wall to Wall DIY Wednesday over at R&R at home!
Debrashoppeno5 says
I love how you updated the recipe box. Thank you for sharing at Snickerdoodle Create Bake Make Link Party.
Angie Chavez says
I’ve missed seeing you projects at Talk of the Town! The party is every Tuesday at 18:00. I hope you’ll come back!
Beverly says
Love how you updated the recipe box and the color is perfect. Stop by over The Moon since you are being featured.
Hugs,
Bev