This time of year, I can’t help but look forward to seeing all of the Halloween decorations that stores put on their shelves. Of course there are always a few treasures I can’t live without, but more often than not I’m left feeling like the selection could have been much better. Last year I began taking matters into my own hands…. transforming those ho-hum Halloween finds into treasures I could love year round. This year, I’m kicking the season off with another one of those transformations with these Gothic Antique Snake Candle Holders….
OK… so for the quick back story for those of you that haven’t heard it already…
My aesthetic is dark. I am most drawn to Gothic styles…. Old World, Victorian, even a touch of Haunted Mansion (I made that one up, but you get the point). My house is certainly a work in progress, but over the years has been filled with dark colors, antiques, furniture with Gothic details, etc.
Most people don’t actually get my taste, and assume that if it’s a Halloween decoration, then of course I’d display it in my home. Every once in a while I do get lucky and find a treasure among the offerings, but sadly, most of the Halloween decor I find on store shelves just doesn’t fit with my everyday decor. So, why do I get excited for Halloween merchandise to hit the stores?
If you read my blog, you will learn that one of my passions is transforming “trash” into treasure. I am an avid picker. I scour thrift stores, garage sales, flea markets, antique markets, even online secondhand marketplaces to find pieces that people have gotten rid of so I can give them a new life. In fact, I have made an entire business out of it… just check out my Etsy Shop. The key is to have a very open mind when exploring so that you can see the potential that pieces have. I’ve started applying that same principal to Halloween shopping. While it’s rare for me to find pieces that are a perfect fit for my home, I do happen upon pieces that fall JUST short. And those pieces are worth salvaging.
This project may look pretty familiar. In fact… it is (you’ll have forgive some of the duplicative verbiage in the tutorial). I did this exact same tutorial for a pair of Bird Claw Candle Sticks I found at At Home last year. I’ve always really loved the way they turned out! This year, Joann’s put out a line of Art Deco Halloween merchandise called “Dark & Deco”. There were a few cute pieces, but these snake candle sticks immediately caught my eye. They were made of a heavy metal material which I was thrilled by! At least they weren’t plastic! I looked past their bright Art Deco Gold finish, and knew they’d look soooo much better in that same Antiqued / Rusted finish I had used on the bird claws. In just a few short steps, I could have a pair of Gothic Antique Snake Candle Holders that I could use all year long. Like I mentioned, I collect antiques, so I’m certainly bias toward this style, but even if that’s not your thing… adding an antique finish is a great way to add a touch more sophistication to your Halloween decor…
So, let’s get into it……
On a side note…. This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but we’ll get a small commission, which helps keep the lights on. Thanks! Click HERE for more details.
Here’s what I used, and how I did it…..
- Candlesticks
- Paint Brushes
- Modern Masters Metal Effects Acid Blocking Primer
- Modern Masters Metal Effects Iron Paint
- Modern Masters Metal Effects Rust Activator
- Modern Masters Metal Effects Permacoat Xtreme
- Aging Powder
- Furniture or Paste Wax
1. Clean the candle holder…. it needs to be free of any dust or residue.
2. Paint a coat of Metal Effects Primer onto the candle holder. This prevents the rust activator solution from penetrating to the surface of the candle holder, and thus interrupting the rust activation.
3. Once dry… I painted a coat of the Metal Effects Oxidizing Iron Paint.
4. Allow to dry for at least 1 hour, and apply a second coat. This particular piece was a bit challenging because of all of the grooves. I used a bristle brush for the 1st 2 coats, which is usually enough, but I did go back in with a foam brush to dab the paint in the grooves.
5. Again, allow to dry for an hour, and then spray the candle holder with the Rust Activator Solution.
6. Walk away for 5-10 minutes, and then spray the Rust Activator Solution again.
The Rust Activator reacts with the real metal particles in the Iron paint, thus speeding up the oxidization process creating an authentic Rust finish. This does not happen immediately, but you will slowly see a change in the finish.
7. I sprayed both of my candlesticks and let them oxidize overnight.
My next step was to darken up the finish, and cover over some of the rust color, and in the process add a more weathered look to the candlesticks.
The product I use seems to come in many different names…. aging powder, antiquing dust, aging dust, dust of ages…. and also in a variety of colors. The one I used was Dixie Dirt by Dixie Belle in charcoal color.
7. Start by adding a dollop of the paste wax and small pile of aging powder onto your work surface
8. Using a small paintbrush, apply wax in the areas you want to “age”
9. Then dab the aging powder onto the areas where you applied the wax. The more powder you apply, the more texture it will create. I varied the amount of powder I was using. There’s no right or wrong way on this step…. just dab the powder until you like the end result.
10. Another method for applying the aging powder is to dip your brush into both the wax, and then powder, and then you can almost paint with it. I used a mix of both methods.
11. Lastly, Modern Masters recommends using their product Permacoat Xtreme to seal your project. This sealer was designed to stop the oxidized metal finish, minimizing any further corrosion. I, however, did not use it on my candlesticks. A reader was kind enough to let me know that the Permacoat creates a shiny finish, in contrast to the matte finish I achieved. If you choose not to use it, I’ll give you the disclaimer that your piece may continue to rust over time.
Now you can add these beauties to your creepy little antique collection.. No one has to know they’re not real antiques!!
Kaz from Oz here..another gorgeous make over..love love love them. Love your aesthetic and if I could have the stunning over the top look of Stunning Gothicness in my home year round I would ❤
I love so many different looks I can’t make up my mind so it’s all pretty eclectic round here lol! I still have candles and skulls, crosses..brooms and morrocan lamps everywhere so there’s a nod to all the things I love to have around me. Those snake candle holders are divine thanks for the great tutorial 😊
It’s great to see a tutorial from you, Alexandra! I’ve been to Joann’s a couple of times this month, seen these snake holders and each time thought….maybe….but yeah, they are too bright gold for my taste. After seeing how well yours turned out though, I just might bite!😄 Thanks!