Monday, October 18, 2010

Thrifted steampunk display cloche

Steampunk appears to be taking over the world. I love the historical/literature aspect of it and it happens to go with my decor so lucky me! I created this display for around $2.50 using thrifted and already-on-hand goods.


It all started with that glass light fixture globe I bought at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. It cost me a whole dollar! Gasp! ;) (read about it here)
Then I added my ten cent garage sale candlestick, spray painted oil-rubbed bronze (read about it here).
Next came the lid off a spaghetti sauce jar, spray painted black, an ornate key my brother found me at a flea market, a spool of pretty ribbon and a twig from the yard.

I needed the lid to create a little "stage" inside my display dome. I first made sure it would fit inside comfortably, painted it, and then (after letting it dry of course) used a huge nail and a hammer to poke a hole in the center.


This will hold my twig. Kindof ignore this twig because it didn't work and I ended up using one off the apple tree instead. I could have fashioned something out of wire, but I really wanted that natural element in there.


Those things go on the even bigger stage of the candlestick. The jar lid helps get my display above those threads along the bottom of the glass dome.


Balancing the key on a nubby off the twig...


And then I had to cut some off the top and it left a bald spot which I covered with this little brass gear.


I have a few thousand old dictionary pages from a falling apart dictionary. This page had a tear in it, so I cut out a rectangle and slid it into the back to create some depth and interest. Then I cut a length of ribbon and tied it around the bottom of the globe to cover the threads of where the globe would normally go into a light fixture.


Et voilà. It goes right with my entryway autumn/Halloween display!



If you're interested in adding steampunk elements to your home, I enjoy the posts at The Steampunk Home.



Linking to:

House of Grace's Twice Owned Tuesday

The Shabby Chic Cottage's Transformation Thursday


16 comments:

Princess of Everything (and then some) said...

I LOVE it!

theUngourmet said...

This steampunk is so very cool! I've never heard this term before. It's always fun learning new things! :)

Jennifer MacNeill said...

That is awesome! Martha's got nothing on you;)

Dianne said...

Very clever and cool! I like it alot!

shari said...

i LOVE what you did with the light fixture! that is awesome!! the key is gorgeous...what a perfect display for it. thanks for sharing!

Molly Dermer said...

This is fantastic . . and easy! Thanks for sharing!

Janae @ Somewhat Couture said...

Love the jar lid idea. So clever. Love all of the layering in here.

p said...

it's as simple as that.
soooo clever, you make art so easily, so thx for sharing your ideas.

make-your-own-invitations.com

coastal cavegirl said...

How pretty! I love your "stage"...very creative!

Stopping by from Transformation Thursday!

Jan
www.thesimpler-life.blogspot.com

Theresa MacNaughton said...

That is just SO cool! You did a great job with this. Thanks for sharing how you put it all together. :) I love steampunk, too. Theresa

The Polka Dot Closet said...

I love it beautiful. I found a globe like that and now I have got to find a base! I was thinking of putting it over a plate, but I like the candle stick! I am visiting for Transformation Thursday.

Carol

Vicki said...

I love this! Steampunk is such a great way to display a collection of odd items. Looks great in your homemade cloche.

Rebecca said...

Thanks for showing us how0-may have to try that this winter!

Robin Johnson said...

very cool. I will have to give this a try.

Abbi said...

Your cloche display is very cool but I really love the whole display on that shelf/table. The paper flowers in the vase are really cool!

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

Oh how pretty, what a great idea! Thanks so much for this, I'll be linking.