Chalk Paint Projects and Upcycled Candles



Well I've been quiet lately but not totally quiet behind the scenes. If you read my posts you'll know I've been ill and the recovery has been slow with a lot of fatigue so I'm finding it difficult to get things done.

I have been working on some little projects though and one of those is chalk paint upcycling - I'm sure the whole world has been merrily chalk painting for ages but I only recently decided to give it a go. Now the problem is how to resist chalk painting every surface in my house :)

I had an idea for upcycling tin cans and the chalk paint is just perfect for this - it goes on easily and only needs a couple of quick coats. I've now added some of these to my Upcycled Section of shop.

Here are some of the candles you can buy there, all made from upcycled containers and pure soy wax.

Upcycled Candles




Soya candle

Soy Teacup

Candle white flowers


As for the tins, here they are individually - I'm so delighted with how they have turned out!

Tin can candle

Lavender candle



I just think they look really pretty and are great value because they will burn for absolutely ages.

Once I caught the chalk paint bug it was hard to stop - next thing to revamp were some photo frames and bathroom accessories. I repainted the main bathroom upstairs a while ago and thought that duck egg blue would be a lovely colour to go with the walls. I had random frames, all in different colours so to pull it all together I used Ruskins Duck Egg Blue Paint.

Duck Egg paint

Here's how they look -

Framed flowers

Flower chalk paint

The fittings were pretty shabby looking too but a coat of chalk paint made them good as new -

Chalk paint soap holder

Chalk paint mirror

Mark repainted the ensuite and used Ruskins Clotted Cream for the fittings, this is a gorgeous soft colour and I also used it for some other frames which I'll show further on but here are the bathroom results -

Interior design

chalk paint

Finally here are two framed pictures of watercolours my youngest daughter Izzy did - I used clotted cream again to pull the two frames together - one was found in a charity shop and the other bought in Tiger but I think they'll look really well on the wall together now that they have been repainted. 

chalk paint frame

white chalk paint frame


Well, that's it for now but I've lots of paint left so who knows!

If you have any chalk paint projects you'd like to share, I'd love to see them.







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13 Comments
  • Erica Price
    Erica Price 7 September 2015 at 11:44

    I love the chalky look of that paint. I much prefer it to normal emulsion or gloss. You've really made a difference with it too.

    • Cliona Kelliher
      Cliona Kelliher 7 September 2015 at 17:25

      Thanks Erica!

  • Rachel Neal
    Rachel Neal 7 September 2015 at 12:09

    Wow looks like you have been busy. I love the candle in the tea cup that would look lovely in my living room. I have never used to chalk paint before however may have a go with a few things we have that need a spruce up x

    • Cliona Kelliher
      Cliona Kelliher 7 September 2015 at 17:25

      It's so easy to use and loads of lovely colours available.

  • Unknown
    Unknown 7 September 2015 at 14:48

    I have such envy right now! I'm a sucker for chalkboard paint. It makes such a great simple DIY project to up-do old furniture, or create little gifts like you have. The price has always put me off purchasing though - still a stingy student at heart!

    • Cliona Kelliher
      Cliona Kelliher 7 September 2015 at 17:24

      It is a bit pricey but I just bought the little tins which were less than €7.00 and they do go a long way if the projects are small like mine.

  • Niamh G
    Niamh G 7 September 2015 at 15:40

    Cliona, I LOVE these candles!! Am so happy to have come across this site - will be making my next candle purchase from you for sure :) All so pretty. Love that you use soy wax and upcycled materials.

    • Cliona Kelliher
      Cliona Kelliher 7 September 2015 at 17:23

      Thanks Niamh, I've really been enjoying doing the tin candles especially :)

  • Cuddle Fairy
    Cuddle Fairy 7 September 2015 at 15:49

    Wow, these are absolutely beautiful! Everything is gorgeous. I love the tin cans! Love the water colors by your daughter as well, the frames compliment them perfectly x

    • Cliona Kelliher
      Cliona Kelliher 7 September 2015 at 17:23

      Thanks so much!

  • LadyNicci
    LadyNicci 7 September 2015 at 21:05

    Wow, love what you've done here, great work. Is there any thing more on trend right now than duck egg? Would love to do all the rooms in my house in it, especially as we live beside the sea side :P

  • Unknown
    Unknown 8 September 2015 at 07:12

    I need to get into this chalk painting, there is solo much I could do in our house.. I love those photo frames and the tin can candle idea is a great one. I may have to do a few myself. :)

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous 8 September 2015 at 17:00

    Oh I love these, I am mildly obsessed with chalk paint, I just painted a tin can in duck egg blue from annie sloan to hold my makeup brushes, so handy!!

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