Happy Christmas in July! I can’t stop buying old salt and pepper shakers! I bought 12 pair last year on just ONE antiquing trip to Paradise, California! I especially love finding the tiny ones so I can make salt shaker necklaces out of them. But I couldn’t resist the larger ones either so I created a salt shaker Christmas ornament for my tree. I think handmade Christmas ornaments make great gifts, too, so I made a bunch!
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Vintage Salt Shaker Christmas Ornaments
First, I filled these with fake snow. I cut about a 10″ piece of dark annealed wire. That’s more than you’ll need but the wire is pretty inexpensive and it’s easier to work with a longer piece. I ran it through two of the holes in the top, wrapped the short end around the longer three times, and trimmed off the extra with my wire cutters.
This wire is harder than the other wires I use for jewelry so I don’t use my Vintaj cutters. I use a more heavy duty wire cutter for this wire.
On most of them I then added a freshwater pearl bead. Sometimes I use other extra beads that I have around. You can see one in the photo below is pewter.
After stringing the bead on I bend the wire about 1/8″ above it, make a loop with my round nose pliers, and wrap the end of the wire around three times before trimming off.
I made a big “S” hook with the wire to make matching hangers.
I hand-stamped several words and phrases on brass discs with my metal punches. I have 3mm alphabet stamps, 6mm alphabet stamps, and a vintage set that I got at an antique sale. Here’s the blog post where I bought them AND a lot more salt shakers.
Take a look at the video:
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And here are a few more projects with salt shakers… and I STILL have more leftover!
‘Til the next project,
Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim
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Originally published on Jul 14, 2015. We join these blog parties.
Trisha says
I love these! Now I am on the lookout for salt and pepper shakers!
~Trisha
Jess says
What neat ideas!
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Diana says
Love your ornaments, Ann, especially with the hand-stamped embellishments. We’d love it if you’d share this post (and any other vintage-y ones) at Vintage Charm (Thurs. 8 am — Mon. 8 am). Hope to see you there! Adirondack Girl @ Heart
Diana says
Thanks so much for linking up! We love having you at the party and hope to see you again 🙂
Michele Michael says
I love this post. Really , just connect with your style too. Keep on doing it lady!
ducttapeanddenim says
Thanks!
Jenny@SingleGirlsDIY says
These are so cute! I have some little glass jars that would work for this, too. Now I’m going to be on the lookout for letter punches! Thanks for sharing.
Ronda says
Absolutely gorgeous!!!
Alice says
Love the shakers I live in Paradise
ducttapeanddenim says
I loved visiting Paradise when my daughter lived in Chico… haven’t been in a few years.
Alicia Barbour says
Love this idea!! I have so many salt and pepper shakers, this will be a great use for them. Thank You for sharing this with us!!!!
Linda at Mixed Kreations says
These are super cute! I have a few salt shakers that I’ve picked up while out junkin. And just finished my first ornament the other day. 😊