If you ask us, there’s only one thing better than spending a day getting down and crafty, and that’s getting creative with a piece of tatty furniture many would think skip-worthy or seeing the potential in an everyday find and making it into something rather beautiful.
Once you get started, it’s pretty addictive, so over the next six pages we’re serving up a substantial hit of thrifty inspiration to keep even the most avid of upcyclers occupied. This month, our designer Suzie has been busy creating fun beach-inspired makes, including driftwood tealight holders using old jam jars and a handy tray table, ideal for serving drinks in the garden. We’re also crushing on the scalloped lampshade to make for less than £5.
Driftwood candleholders
1 HOUR FAST FIX
Evelyn cushion, £12, Habitat. Fish embossed mug, £8, M&S
With some natural driftwood sticks, a couple of jam jars and a glue gun, you can make these beach-style candleholders in no time at all. They’re ideal for popping on the patio for an after-sunset gathering or using as rustic table centerpieces. Experiment with different sized jars or try painting the driftwood sticks different shades.
Takes 1 hour You will need
✳ Driftwood pieces, £4.25, Homecrafts
✳ Small jam jars
✳ Glue gun
✳ Tealight candles, £1 for £24, Poundland
Total £5.25
1 Sort the driftwood pieces into piles of similar lengths. Take a small jam jar and make sure it’s clean and dry, with the labels and any sticky residues removed.
2 Using a hot glue gun, adhere three of the longest driftwood sticks around the bottom of the jar in a triangle shape.
3 Next, glue three of the second longest pieces on top of the first three so that the ends overlap. Continue gluing layers of driftwood pieces around the jar, until you have reached the top. Leave to dry, then pop a tealight candle inside.
Burn, baby, burn
If you have children or pets, battery LED tealight candles are a safe flame-free option and can be found at Hobbycraft for just £2 per four pack, including batteries.