How to Make a Vintage Wall Sconce Candle Votive
If you want to add some secondary light in your home you have to try making these super easy candle sconces out of vintage electrical wall sconces. They are super easy to transform and best of all you do not have to call an electrician over and shell out the big bucks to get some new lighting. You can find great vintage wall sconce lights at almost any antique shop, flea market, or flea n tique. I have even seen some not so vintage wall sconces sitting in a box for a $1 at the local Goodwill. To Make These Easy Vintage Wall Sconce Candle Sconces You Will Need: 1 Vintage Wall Sconce Wire Snips Tea Candle Ribbon (optional) Hammered metal spray paint (optional) Milk paint (optional) Paint brush (opiontla0
Wood gel stain (optional) The first step is to remove any old wiring left from the vintage wall sconce. You can simply look on the back of the wall sconce. Any wires that are hanging out can be easily cut off with some wire snips. If the back of the sconce will come off, then take it off, snip the wires as short as possible, then replace the back. It is important to replace the back of the vintage light fixture because in almost every case it will have some hanging mechanism on the back. You will need this so you can rehang the vintage wall sconce as your new vintage candle scone. You will get the vintage look with out the electricity. Now, take a step back a look at your vintage wall sconce. What condition is it in? If there is any rust you can remove it with a fine grit sand paper. If you do not like the brassy color, then get creative. You could paint it a bright shiny red for a contemporary candle wall sconce. If you have dark walls in your home go for a bright glossy white paint. It will really stand out on your walls. To recreate a vintage look you can always use a faux finish painted on. Be sure to prime you metal first though! If you get stuck using new electrical wall sconces, then simple take them parts and spray on a coat of faux rust or hammered metal spray paint. You will have an instant vintage look! Milk paint is a great way to take the shine off of a garish vintage light fixture. Milk paint can be bought at any local home improvement store. It is a natural primer, so you can eliminate that step! You can always rub on some wood gel stain to tone down a paint color and age any finish from brass to paint! Now, use the existing hanging mechanism to install your wall sconce where ever you wish. I always recommend hanging items on a stud if possible. If not, use a toggle bolt. They are perfect for dry wall and very secure. Now, remove the old light bulb form inside of the wall sconce. Insert you small tea candle and you are finished. You can also tie on a bow for the holidays to add some color!
Wood gel stain (optional) The first step is to remove any old wiring left from the vintage wall sconce. You can simply look on the back of the wall sconce. Any wires that are hanging out can be easily cut off with some wire snips. If the back of the sconce will come off, then take it off, snip the wires as short as possible, then replace the back. It is important to replace the back of the vintage light fixture because in almost every case it will have some hanging mechanism on the back. You will need this so you can rehang the vintage wall sconce as your new vintage candle scone. You will get the vintage look with out the electricity. Now, take a step back a look at your vintage wall sconce. What condition is it in? If there is any rust you can remove it with a fine grit sand paper. If you do not like the brassy color, then get creative. You could paint it a bright shiny red for a contemporary candle wall sconce. If you have dark walls in your home go for a bright glossy white paint. It will really stand out on your walls. To recreate a vintage look you can always use a faux finish painted on. Be sure to prime you metal first though! If you get stuck using new electrical wall sconces, then simple take them parts and spray on a coat of faux rust or hammered metal spray paint. You will have an instant vintage look! Milk paint is a great way to take the shine off of a garish vintage light fixture. Milk paint can be bought at any local home improvement store. It is a natural primer, so you can eliminate that step! You can always rub on some wood gel stain to tone down a paint color and age any finish from brass to paint! Now, use the existing hanging mechanism to install your wall sconce where ever you wish. I always recommend hanging items on a stud if possible. If not, use a toggle bolt. They are perfect for dry wall and very secure. Now, remove the old light bulb form inside of the wall sconce. Insert you small tea candle and you are finished. You can also tie on a bow for the holidays to add some color!
