Transforming Thrift Store Finds into Vintage Treasures: 12 DIY Upcycling Ideas

Let’s upcycle inexpensive and easy to find thrift store items to resemble high-dollar antique and vintage treasures. I’ll share some of my favorite techniques and crafting hacks for making modern pieces look like authentic antiques. This video features 12 DIY projects including a brass hurricane candlestand, a milking stool, a Blue Onion spice rack, a vintage tin and can, books, a wicker basket with fabric embellishment, a framed landscape print, a pressed botanical on glass, a unique glass cloche, a tile trivet, and a faux tin clock.
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Video with Flower Drying/Pressing Tutorial: • MAGNOLIA DIY 14 HIGH-E...
Vintage clock face images:
ibb.co/hfTBjMH
ibb.co/M76JXN7
Image used on basket: ibb.co/tQQm9Px
Images for trivet/tile:
ibb.co/fHvJ7yP
ibb.co/Lgy7jTY
ibb.co/GsrSxDx
ibb.co/R3TqHZ5
ibb.co/0rcfxSh
Vintage book cover images:
ibb.co/q9DyDCR
ibb.co/2sMJ3rM
Landscape Images in the Public Domain:
ibb.co/nr64cn7
ibb.co/HX3dsQK
ibb.co/x5HptYh
ibb.co/X3Qg1BV
ibb.co/RPDpVbp
ibb.co/gvd2y0H
ibb.co/K6rFJxR
ibb.co/Hrv5pyj
Bird image used on tin: ibb.co/JCmy4bP
Black Cat image used on tin can: ibb.co/JCh17vg
Healing powder image: ibb.co/GvqDwdf
Blue onion napkin (available from Etsy & Walmart):
www.etsy.com/listing/93852067...
OR
www.walmart.com/ip/Keep-Uniqu...

[@patriciamalone3553]

Sherri… you are a smart girl for not throwing away such things as your goof off can.. verrry cute!

[@marthajones7265]

I'm sorry, but I can't pick a favorite. I loved all of them. Wonderful video. Thanks!

[@lauriestiver8410]

I can't wait to make over a new clock into a vintage one! I am doing some research on ebay to copy a real one! Thanks Sherri for all your fab ideas! I loved the way you transformed a basket into a treasure with the cloth transfer!!

[@rebeccaburke4348]

You are a genius at creativity. Thank you for sharing your talent with us.

[@connieh.4689]

Cloche lamp...who knew! I see these types all the time and pass them up, NOT anymore 😂❤

[@brenyule]

Oh boy Canterbury Sherry time!❤

[@ivankagren2746]

The books are a great idea. Old ones are becoming very hard to find😊

[@debramcadams7840]

All these flips were great. The lamp is my favorite 😊

[@CanterburyCottage]

Yay! Thank you!

[@m.service5584]

The lamp is MY favorite, too, Sherry!!❤

[@jenely886]

Love the clock! At first, didnt think it was going to look good. I should know to trust you! The books and lamp turned out soooooo good! And the goof off tin, what?! I LOVE that you don't waste anything. As always, amazing work!

[@CanterburyCottage]

Oh thank you!

[@melissahyatt9626]

The clock, spice rack, tins, and basket were my favs, but that all were wonderful! The lamp blew me away too!

[@dianeknott3655]

The books! And the tin can with the cat! Loved them! Oh, and the vintage landscape!

[@karenbreslauer2053]

Spoke too soon. That cloche lamp !! You knocked it out of the park You amaze me

[@dianabrown4152]

Of all of the videos that I have watched using thrift store finds, I think yours are the most enjoyable. I just started following and have only watched two, but I find them very creative and love them all.

[@joycefoster684]

The cloch lamp was amazing! Would love to find a lamp like it. I've never seen a lamp without a base! All your ideas are beautiful. Thanks for sharing your creativeness!!

[@Becky-nn3pu]

All of these projects are just gorgeous! I can't pick a favorite! Your creativity is amazing!

[@CanterburyCottage]

Thank you so much, Becky!

[@sprogohomeaway9602]

I really love all the projects, especially the books which was my favorite. Hope you will consider doing another trash to treasure video and a video of charity shop buys that most people will not purchase. Xxx

[@nancysemenko4871]

When I watch your videos, I think that it won’t work. And then , just like that you have made an amazing piece. The clock is my favorite. But then everything is amazing. Thank you for sharing your talent.

[@greatestever6738]

I think the picture in the black frame really looked like it came from the past the most to me. What great ideas! I love them all. Birds are so beautiful.

[@CanterburyCottage]

Oh, thank you so much! 😊

[@conniedelvigna9427]

The cloche lamp is so unique and beautiful. Eye catching, but serene at the same time

[@bonniesmith1179]

Gosh Sherry. I couldn’t decide which item I liked the best because they were all so good. I thought the spice rack was amazing as well as the clock and basket. Truly, they were all amazing. The framed picture turned out stunning! Your ability amazes me, and your creativity. As I’ve gotten older I don’t trust my judgement on. decorating and creating like I used to. Once I finally do complete something it turns out well but I spend so much time thinking about it things don’t get accomplished as soon as I’d like. Thank you for sharing your talents with us all.

[@dorisandujar8277]

I really am not sure which project looks more vintage but I will say that I love everyone. You amaze me with your talent and I'm mesmerized all the time. I'm 66 and I grew up all around antiques as my parents had a store. My mother was always stripping furniture and hauling things home to redo. I guess I've forgotten a lot over the years but my love for this remains. That's one reason why I love watching you so much. It warms my heart and brings back memories. The basket is lovely and I want to try doing one. I've taken quite a few home from my senior center. Thank you for sharing.

[@crystalwaters8852]

I love the picture & frame & the lamp with glass base. The trivet is pretty special too.❤

[@MamaT160]

The cloche lamp is stunning!

[@aolsweetsew]

I really liked the spice rack reimagined. I'm redoing the decor on top of my kitchen cabinets. If I can find a nice spice rack at the thrift store, I may try this. Thanks for the inspiration. Thanks also for sharing how to undo our boo boos. I have a decoupage project that I was never happy with, now I know how to redo it. P.S. I wish we had better thrift stores where I live. Even our Goodwill has gotten expensive.

[@fantan04]

Hi Sherry 😊 Having been on holiday I have missed watching my favourite crafter and am binge watching what I missed! These flips are amazing - I never fail to be staggered by your imagination and creativity. Honestly, sometimes I sit here with my mouth agape whilst shaking my head incredulously when I see the results of your talents! Love, love, love your videos and your company. 👍🥰👍 Ann x

[@barbaralauinger6350]

I like the “antique” books best. You make such beautiful things.

[@suecox2308]

All of these are clever, and I love that you used your Goof-Off tin in such an imaginative way--nothing wasted!

[@elainecivi6786]

That closhe lamp is to die for!

[@margaretdillinger5090]

I never knew you could do the reverse decoupage with scrap book paper. Loving these flips so much. The basket turned out gorgeous. Loving that lamp.

[@CanterburyCottage]

Thanks so much! I hadn’t tried using scrapbook paper before, but I will definitely be trying it again!

[@margaretdillinger5090]

@@CanterburyCottage I am going to try it. I tried reverse decoupage once but I know what I did wrong so I’m ready to try it again.

[@tammycarroll710]

The clock and the lamp, oh my I can't choose just one!😍

[@lynnnickerson6334]

Hi Sherry, it’s pretty hard to pick a favorite… they all look so nice! You come up with so many great ideas!!! You keep inspiring me, thank you for sharing!

[@ashleyrigatoni702]

That glass lamp was so cozy and you have a wonderfully pleasant voice.

[@dorothylehman4164]

That little stool is a true antique and it's so cute what you did to it I love watching what you do

[@CB-pf7go]

The milking stool and the black framed print are spot on the most vintage looking. I’ve been thrifting for so many years and can remember finding actual vintage decor for a couple of dollars. Prices at my local thrift stores are through the roof now a days.

[@CanterburyCottage]

It’s so true. I started thrifting in college and furnished my first apartment totally with thrift store finds. Back then everything was a good deal!

[@gizmo7877]

I don’t know much about antiques like you had today but I’m in love with that basket and would love to try to print on material. But only if it will go through the printer without jamming. It jams when I try to run through tissue paper adhered to copy paper. As always, you do a bang up job recreating old to new. You have a wealth of knowledge.

[@sherilynpeters6459]

The spice rack was my favorite. I really loved all of the projects. Your creativity contributed to the vintage appearance. It is always a joy to watch your videos.😊

[@kathrynrudolph5121]

Your creativity is astounding! The cloche lamp is stunning!

[@terrybazin8067]

Sherry...most motivating and inspiring video I have watched in a while. I got out of my comfy chair and started painting a few things so I could do a few decoupage projects in the morning. Thank you for the great great great video. Don't know what it was that intrigued me, but this got me out of my current state of the blahs. ❤

[@artstartdiy]

Beautiful work! The change to the birds for the trivet was a good choice, if you use a gloss topcoat on it it would resemble real tile❤️✨

[@tangerinecottage]

I love them all! I really loved the repurposed goo gone can with the cat label. I also loved the little shelf with blue and white.

[@CanterburyCottage]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@lydialangfordjoiner765]

Oh, my, Sherry, you are fantastic! I am definitely a fan and look forward to the time I can watch your episode on Monday. Something always happens and interferes which is utterly frustrating, else I would watch the moment it appears on KZbin! What a joy to finally get to see it! You truly are an amazing, creative Master of Decor.♥️ Thank you so very much!

[@CanterburyCottage]

Oh, thank you! You are always so very kind, Lydia! I appreciate your comments so much!

[@janettharpe1307]

Another great video! I love your creations!❤

[@nitachance4238]

The books and the lamp have my heart!

[@helenlouise_]

The books and the tins were spot on! I also get great ideas on how to "antique" my thrifted frames😊 Thanks Sherry!

[@CanterburyCottage]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching, Helen! 😊

[@janethayes1908]

If those GW ladies could just see the trivet now!! I love it!!😂😍

[@christineroe3887]

Loved all of these flips gave me lots of inspiration! I love when you do these adorable flips this is why I started watching your channel! Keep them coming!❤

[@riostephanie489]

I just found a little black kitten 3 weeks ago that I have named “ Sweetie”. We have become quite attached to one another! I’m definitely making this tin, it’s so adorable 🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛

[@barbaradzitko1826]

Sherry, you are definitely the best at what you do. You always come up with such great ideas.

[@maryfrancesbaker289]

The green handle is the perfect vintage shade!

[@shadygardens2256]

All of these projects are amazing! I cannot believe how authentically old and vintage these things look after you redid them. I can’t wait to try some of these projects. Thank you so much for the ideas!

[@chellepitts6677]

Most ALL looked antique!! I LOVED the gold clock, but someone beat me to it in your catalogue…haha. But lo and behold, I got your green wall clock that will match my kitchen perfectly!! The books were fantastic as well!

[@nicolemacturk4491]

I love the cloche lamp. I will be looking for a glass lamp base like that one to make my own. Also, I noticed the black picture frame on the table next to you when you were introducing the video. I have the same one, It is ivory and I have the matching tray too. I love them both. Your black and white picture looks good in the frame painted black.

[@bonnieodonnell2780]

Most vintage looking-the milking stool, the clock. I love the lamp.

[@ruthfitzwater-cn3vc]

The fabric you ran through your printer for the basket turned out beautifully. Who knew and you always find such charming images!

[@ellenswartz7203]

I love the framed print. It is beautiful. And the blue onion spice rack. No one could ever guess it’s napkins. You continue to blow my mind with your creativity. “I finished a can of Goo Gone”. Project!!! 😂

[@donnadevries-hestand1659]

I gasped when you cut that painting! Breeeaaaaathe!

[@juneramirez8580]

Finally my decor is back in style!!! Lol. I all came from an Aunt that was born in 1900! Some is 1930's and needs serious refinishing and the rest is from the 1950's. Baskets here in AZ run much higher.

[@danastory9294]

❤ them all but that cloche lamp is everything!! I will never see one of those again!!❤❤❤❤❤

[@delorisharrison6731]

Hi Sherry…love the painted black frame and wallpaper cutout! Looks so genuinely old! Landscapes are back!! 🎉

[@bethbenson1931]

That lamp has got to be my favorite. I found a large glass cloche top at a yard sale for $1. Took me a few weeks to find a lovely china raised cake plate to put it on. Also found a nice wood round for the base when I want a change. Watching you and wonderful Pinterest has given me many ideas on what to put in it. Thanks so much! 😊

[@CanterburyCottage]

I’m so glad I can share some ideas with you, Beth. Sounds like you found some great items!

[@horselady65]

You inspire me, I’ve been hitting thrift stores looking for frames for my dark academia room I’m doing. 😊

[@sherylcarter6242]

I absolutely love the spice rack. I think the revised mod podged tile goes much better than the first.

[@rhondasales5176]

Love the basket but the books look the part the most to me. Tyfs

[@heidigresh2743]

Not sure if the cloche was truly antique looking but it was my favorite piece this week.

[@robinsabo6932]

It’s always difficult to choose a favorite because everything you create is beautiful and clever! I love the basket with the cloth print in front and the cloche lamp in particular!

[@sandicantz2003]

My picks for the most authentic-looking antiques were the milking stool and the old frame and painting. Loved everything, though.

[@stephhorning4393]

I absolutely love watching you & your flips!! It is 1048 PM & I have to be up @ 3 AM but I had to keep watching!! Thank you!!😊😊😊

[@ruthfitzwater-cn3vc]

The cloche lamp and the print on fabric are my favorites! Your brain is just genius!!

[@CanterburyCottage]

Oh thank you!☺️

[@barbkrieser8972]

Lamp is my favorite!❤😊

[@SarahsOctoberHome]

Sherry, you did it again! So many beautiful ideas!🫶🏻

[@CanterburyCottage]

Thank you! 🤗

[@apropst5867]

Sherry...two thumbs up on the cloche lamp. I don't know which you like more; clocks, birds, or books ! 🤔🤣

[@loisdouglass4112]

I am just getting started in Upcycle ing and love it so love to watch your videos for ideas and inspiration!! I am doing my first show Sept 16 and 17 and I sure hope I am doing the right things! I am doing tiered tray, trays, and lifters if that is what they are called. I. Really enjoying the process!

[@lindasmith5190]

The cloche lamp is beautiful and the "old" picture with the black painted frame.

[@maryowens9179]

They all turned out great ❤

[@barbaraperry6970]

Sherry, you are truly amazing!! My favorites are the milking stool, the tin box, and the tile and wood trivet... They truly look vintage. You are an inspiration!! Thanks so much 😊

[@lumontoya9439]

Loved them all but especially the lamp and spice rack. Thanks for the clear instructions on what is needed and how to do each project. You’re so talented!!

[@chelseamorning608]

the vintage tin came out amazing. i love tins and birds, so that's my favorite

[@franceswitham8214]

I can't pick a favorite. They're all beautiful.

[@Blessedgirl1955]

Sherry I loved them all but my favorite was the glass lamp and the clock and you sure did make those books look old. Thanks for always giving us links and free printables, I appreciate that.

[@blueburytreasurelaurabrown8482]

I loved the cloche lamp…..that was my favorite today. ❤❤❤

[@CanterburyCottage]

I agree. It didn’t look vintage, but it was my favorite project this week!

[@jaynezook]

The lamp was my favorite! Because of your videos I picked up 2 free ones last week and ripped them apart to make big lanterns. Thanks so much for sharing your ideas!

[@brendamathis4374]

Sherry, I adored the basket, I am absolutely going to try my best to make one. As always thank you so much for sharing your talent and I ask the Lord to bless you

[@lovingmayberry307]

Tins and lamp! 💜

[@cassandrasuzannelalonde4758]

The clock is striking, your lamp project was enlightening. Thank you for your video.

[@jansfield5314]

We are spoilt for choice Sherry, I love them all, but the spice rack and Trivet were my real favourites! Oh how I love your videos and I learn so much xx

[@conniewojahn6445]

You are so clever and talented. I'm trying to downsize stuff in my house, and watching you makes me want to re-do stuff instead of tossing it. Maybe a makeover into something useful, but I'm at a loss to figure out what and how. I'm not clever like you.

[@conniegray3272]

The tiled decor makeover was my favorite!

[@trudy6971]

Oh my, that cloche lamp! I’m in Love 🥰!

[@tinamcivor2996]

You never disappoint Sherry! Your transformation of the modern tin box to antique look was my favorite

[@cinder8290]

Your cloche based lamp is gorgeous. I'm not sure that it looked particularly vintage, but it was really wonderful.

[@alisavogt2892]

I think my favourite is the cloche lamp. It would be so easy to change up the items inside based on seasons, holidays, etc!

[@CanterburyCottage]

Thank you! Yes, I love that idea!

[@thepennycrafters7616]

Sherry the lamp!!! Absolutely beautiful ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@petrine5]

Love them all but the bird-tin is my favorite❤ The birds are so pretty😍

[@dorothybeaty3638]

Oh my that cloche lamp was the best item yet. Sherry you are my favorite crafter so many good ideas.

[@lauramccall5892]

My favorite is the clock and the books. Love them all

[@beeline22]

Good afternoon, Sherry! Looking forward to your creative upcycles! ❤ Bobbie.

[@caronward4042]

I loved the way the vintage framed print turned out. The Black Cat Stove Polish item-- I think I might have just left it as is because the image is so striking. I adore your creatiity and charm!

[@sarahwah1255]

I too love antiques 💕All the projects are so creative and well done!🫶🏻 I really like the nature picture 🙋🏻‍♀️

[@CanterburyCottage]

Thanks so much, Sarah! 😊

[@karendeakin9628]

I can never vote for a winner in your creations couldn’t possibly choose all brilliant

[@CanterburyCottage]

Oh, thank you, Karen! 😊

[@carolkokx9638]

Especially love the butterfly