After Christmas, I went looking around on ebay for wood and iron candle sconces.
I found a pair of these for less than $20. They are plentiful on ebay in all price ranges. I think they’re from the late 1980s, but not sure.
Here is a recent listing from ebay, and this one has the original glass votive holders.
In any case, it needed a makeover.
I had in mind something similar to these French Pinot sconces.
I started by spraying them with gray primer. I thought I had a photo of that stage, but I must have deleted it. I then brushed on a lighter gray craft paint, let it dry, then sanded the high spots. I didn’t like the color, nor did I enjoy trying to hold the sconce with one hand and brush paint into all the crevices, so I spray painted flat white over the whole thing, then sanded again after it dried.
I then, rubbed on a coat of dark finishing wax and rubbed it off. I was pretty happy with the finish, then I realized something was missing.
I have seen French candle sconces with wood beads, so I searched everywhere for long wood beads. I looked online and at Michaels in the jewelry and wood departments, but could not find what I wanted. I finally went to the craft department at Walmart and found a couple of options to choose from.
I thought these beads might work, but they were not really long enough for the look I wanted.
I then saw these wood caps and thought I might be able to make them work.
There were four of each size, so I decided to glue them together, since I needed four.
After applying the same paint treatment I did to the sconces, I used an awl to make a hole, then dipped a shortened wire ornament hanger into the glue then inserted it into the hole.
And…voilĂ , French candle sconces!
I love how they turned out! I did plan on switching out the candle cups for smaller brass ones, but I thought that would just be overkill and more work than I really wanted to do.
I’m still not sure where I’m going to put them, since I have two, but for now, one is here on the old door in the music “room.”
Not bad for less than $20:-)
I’ll be joining:
Looks fabulous. Great job. The beads are the perfect addition. 🙂 Julie
Thank you Julie!
You wouldn't by looking at it that had been from the 80's, great job on it and I love the finish!
I know..paint can do amazing things! Thank you:-)
Wow!!!…they are stunning!…Now there is going to be a run on eBay for old 80's sconces!…so, so beautiful and such a great idea Anita!..love it!
Thank you Shirley!! There are sure plenty of them out there too!
these look like the real things, love the makeover!!
Thank you Debra! The real ones are ridiculously expensive…or at least the ones I have seen online.
Great transformation! Amazing for $20!
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No kidding! I love a bargain! Thanks for stopping by:-)
LOVE THEM!! Great makeover!!
Thank you so much Martina!
Love this project! What a great look you gave those candle sconces. I never would've guessed that they looked the way they did when you first got them. Thanks for the inspiration and the tutorial!
Thanks so much Kelly! They were pretty dated, for sure:-)
Fabulous! They really look like the real deal! Love them!
Thank you Pinky…and at a fraction of the cost!
It looks fantastic! I love how you've transformed it into something that you will now love.
Thanks Robin! I do love them this way:-)
What a great job on those sconces, Anita! They really are lovely.
Thank you so much Lynn!!
Great project and I love the results.
Thank you so much Sherry!
Those look great, Anita. How smart are you!
Thank you Kim, and thanks for stopping by!
WOW!!! You nailed the look! Now I am going to search for 80's candle holders. Been keeping my eye on the real thing, and gasping at the price…
Thanks!!!
EBay here I come.
I know Gee…there were several out there too. Look for "homco wood and iron candle sconce" or "Wood and iron candle sconce," and they should come up. Thanks so much!!
I found one just like this in an antique shop/flea market for $5.00. I did mine in black.
I love how you transformed those dated candle sconces and made them look fabulously french.