Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Finding Storage in Unexpected Places

Candle Storage

Who doesn't love candles?  Many of us tend to stock up when there is a great sale. However, candles aren't always easy to store.  They don't stack well and the different sizes means they take up more than their fair share of shelf space.

I have always loved vintage train cases, but they are becoming harder and harder to find.  Take a gander at the prices on Etsy and ebay.  The  price combined with shipping can get pretty expensive, so keep your eyes peeled at the garage sales this summer.

I use my train cases for candle storage.  They fit neatly under my living room shelves in what would be empty space.  I decoupaged two of them many years ago. One turned out rather cute and the other, well - not so much.  The green one on the left is  "on the list" for a redo.  And the the one on the far right is still in its original  vintage state. All three are crammed full of candles and holders

The stacked baskets hold tapers and the basket second from the right holds my greeting card file. 

My favorite is the black one. I slapped on some black paint, glued on cute cherubs and vintage musical instruments, sealed it really well, and called it a day.  



Love the cherubs on the back in their little carriage...




Each side is different and follows the music theme...



More cherubs on the top...




I'm looking forward to re-doing the green one.  When doing the green one (I have no idea of why I picked that color) I discovered that tissue paper images on a dark color don't work very well.  A real "duh" moment!

How do you store your candles?

6 comments:

Susan said...

Oh Adrienne, what a great idea! And the cherubs are darling, truly "angelic!" ha! What is your favorite scented candle? Mine are Yankee followed by Village. I love the lemon scented, plus cinnamon/pumpkin in the fall, French vanilla, and on and on. As a matter of fact, was just sniffing some of the Village selections in the supermarket! They are a close second to the fragrant Yankee candles. Take care, Adrienne. Sincerely, Susan

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Great idea. I had most of my large ones in a large basket under a antique desk. Got tired of looking at them there, so clear a section of cabinet for them. I usually keep tapers, votive & tealites in a drawer.

Adrienne said...

Glenda- I keep my tealights in a basket on my shelves. Did your basket have a lid or was it open on top?

One of my ongoing hugest ever problems is living in a very dusty area, so I have to keep stuff covered and not have a bunch of stuff sitting around

belinda said...

I love these suitcases. I've been on the lookout for them as well. I was lucky enough to find one in great shape and I keep it always "ready to go" in case I'm called out for some reason. I won't leave it alone in a hotel because I trust people as far as I can throw em' and the suitcase doesn't lock. I worry that some housekeeper will clean the toilet bowl with my toothbrush etc...

I didn't know they were called train cases and I didn't know they were expensive on ebay. I love mine. Even though it got scratched during travel.

Adrienne said...

Belinda - they were called train cases 'cause ladies took them on trains. Really!

Some of them are $30.00 - $40.00 on ebay and you can add another $14.00 or so for shipping.

I have my Mom's newer one. A padded vinyl one. think I may try to cover it in fabric - or not. Who knows. heh

MightyMom said...

cute. I don't store candles....I display them. all of them. They're in most of my shelf displays. and I put a moratorium on buying more candles a long long time ago...

I store thread in baskets like those.