The thrift stores in my area are filled with unfinished craft projects. I’m betting yours is too. I admit I always browse to see if I can find brushes and paints to save a little money. Every once in a while I find a project I have to take home. When I spotted this $3.50 mail sorter shaped like a teapot and teacup, I saw potential.
Even though I was feeling under the weather (shoutout to mom life and viruses), I couldn’t pass up the chance to bring this piece back to life. So tissues in one hand, paintbrush in the other, I set to work!
From Abandoned to Adorable
This piece was definitely a blast from the past—think late ’80s or early ’90s. It came with those old-school “destructions” (that went straight to the floor, thank you very much), and the plastic was partly melted. But that didn’t scare me off. Nope, I got to work.
First up: paint. I disassembled the sorter to make painting easier and gave it a dark gray base coat. I was going to decoupage with some napkins—ideally blue and white China pattern—but I couldn’t find them anywhere. (Did I throw them out? I’ll never know.)
Luckily, I found something else in my stash: Vintage Texture by Bungalow 47.
Let’s Talk Texture
This product is a fun way to add dimension—it’s like the frosting of the paint world. You mix it up until it’s cake batter thick. If you can’t get vintage texture you could mix baking soda in and make the paint as thick as possible as an alternative.
Pounce the mixture on with a brush to create peaks. You want different levels of texture so go wild with this.
Let the peaks dry a little. Not completely. Then knock those peaks down with a spatula from the dollar store for an authentic aged look. I always keep a spatula in my workshop. You’d be surprised how often they come in handy. Of course you could just use the edge of a piece of scrap cardboard.
It was messy and weird, and I kind of loved it.
Layered Color & Transfers
Once the texture was dry, I layered on some white paint in a dry brushing technique.
I got a little heavy handed with the paint so I wiped away some of the paint to bring out the detail. I wanted the gray to show on the high points.
I decided to add a transfer of a bee on the cup and the word “Café” on the teapot. I like transfers because they are a simple way to add images to projects. Unfortunately, the transfer didn’t go perfectly (looking at you, laurel wreath), but perfection isn’t the point—character is.
To finish it off, I used a brown aging glaze—you can find it in the cabinet paint section at most hardware stores. Wipe some off, leave some behind, and boom: instant vintage charm.
From Trash to Treasure
In the end, this wasn’t the makeover I had planned… but it turned out better than I expected. It’s cute, it’s functional, and it’s no longer an abandoned craft project wasting away on a shelf.
I’m honestly kind of obsessed with the texture and may have to try it again—maybe on a bigger scale?
Moral of the Makeover
If you see old, unfinished craft kits at the thrift store, grab them. Let’s rescue these forgotten projects and give them a second life. It’s budget-friendly, sustainable, and just plain fun.
Happy junking, friends.
—Stacy
💬 Want more DIY rescue missions like this one?
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