Over the years, I’ve thrifted and collected quite a few vintage brass candlesticks. After using a few of them to display some vintage ornaments a couple of years back, I decided I really wanted to come up with another Christmas idea for them. So, I decided to use them for a Christmas card display.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Why a Christmas card display? Well, I’ve also collected a few fabulous vintage cards over time, as well- including these colorful, mod-inspired cards.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
And I just KNEW they needed to be shown off somehow.
So, I decided to combine a few things I already had: the brass candlesticks, the vibrant vintage cards, and bar top corks.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
You find these corks in bourbon bottles- they’re also sometimes called T-corks. Either way, my husband enjoys sampling bourbons, which means I’ve amassed a tidy little collection of them. Knowing that one day…someday…I’d come up with a way to upcycle them. And I’m happy to say that that day (and project) has finally arrived.
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Upcycling the Bar Top Corks
This DIY Christmas card display idea is incredibly easy, and you only need a few things to make it. Obviously, I needed a handful of vintage brass candlesticks in varying heights.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
And, of course, bar top corks. Because as it turns out, they fit perfectly inside of a brass candlestick.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Well, the smaller T-corks do. Some of the larger ones are too big and don’t fit- but the ones with a wooden top that is just about an inch in diameter are ideal.
To make my Christmas card display look a bit more seamless, I decided to paint the bar top corks. Just the wooden top, and I chose this paint to match the brass candlesticks.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Next, I found some small plastic place card holders (similar to these) to sit atop the corks.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
I thought about using small brass binder clips but opted for these place card holders instead. Though, it might be a fun experiment to compare both options.
I used my hot glue gun to adhere them to the top of each bar top cork.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Any glue will work, of course- but hot glue is always so fast and easy. My only advice, though, is to keep the hot glue thin when applying. A thick blob or swirl will cause a gap between the cork top and the place card holder.
Lastly, I painted the plastic place holder with the same vintage brass paint to match the cork top.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
And that was all there was to it! I placed each one in their respective candlesticks, switching them around so that they fit each other nicely.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Now all my Christmas card display needed was…well, the vintage Christmas cards.
Christmas Card Display with Brass Candlesticks
One thing to remember- the slit on place card holders is wider than they theoretically need to be. This allows place cards to sit at an angle, making them easier to read while you’re standing and looking for your assigned seat.
So, I had to fill my vintage Christmas cards with some thin cardboard to make them sit straight up. My recycling bin came in handy, as I used the cardboard from a LaCroix case to do the trick- and it worked like a charm!
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
And if anyone is curious, this is the Etsy shop where I sourced these fantastic vintage cards. They have TONS to choose from.
I LOVED my Christmas card display! And I loved using my brass candlesticks in a new, unique way without having to do anything permanently to them, too.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
The larger, taller card was a tad more finicky when it came to sitting straighter and upright. So, maybe this idea is best used for smaller or horizontal cards. Either way, though, who doesn’t love a Christmas craft that uses something that might otherwise be tossed away (i.e., the cork tops)?
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
I hope you enjoyed this super simple idea for a Christmas card display. Of course, I’m no stranger to showing off my vintage cards. There was even a DIY card display idea in my craft book!
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
And I also upcycled a carousel display for some of my Victorian postcards, too.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Hopefully, this craft idea will inspire you to create your own version of a Christmas card display for your collection of candlesticks. I’m partial to brass, but any opaque version like milk glass or silver plate would work just as well.
Craft on!
S
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Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
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