Give Old Trivets a New Life

by Ann Whitfield

5 Materials

4 Hours

Medium

I picked up 3 old trivets at a moving sale for free. Fixer upper and flipped houses are showing lots of Glam this year. While glam is not my thing, I did want to spruce up these trivets. I came up with a couple of ideas to upscale the trivets.

The original trivet.

First I created a base for the trivet so that I could have a solid space. I used a picture backing because it was sturdy and easily cut. I measured the inlaid area, 4"1/16". Using my paper cutter, I cut the picture backing to size and glued it into place. I used Liquid Nails.

Using my paper cutter

Backing inserted and glued

With the backing secured, I could add some color. I again cut my 4"1/6" piece this time using scrapbook paper. I then glued it to the backing. For this, I used Emory's Glue.

I took apart an old costume jewelry and used the pendant as my glam focal piece. The pendant looked lost in the trivet so I painted gold accent areas to brighten it up. This trivet is meant to be hung as decoration

Trivet with Glam

The second trivet I did the same first three steps. Then I wrapped the picture backing with the star section of the American Flag. My husband was career military with Naval Aviation. During the years when various Tailhookers met it was usually for a reunion, they are given a commemorative coin. I gathered five coins and hot-glued them on to the trivet. Because the coins are flat this trivet will be used as just that - a trivet.

Military Trivet

I had one trivet left. I sprayed painted the trivet with a white combination Primer and Paint. Again, I began with the first three steps. This time I wrapped the picture backing with one book page and one music page. Musical manuscripts seem to never lye flat. I made this trivet as a paperweight specifically to use with our music books. In order to add some weight, I glued a heavy metal signature piece. It looked too drab, however. I then painted the metal piece silver. That made the signature piece pop.

This finished project

The decorative glam is now in my art studio. The Military Trivet sits on the dining room table. And last but not least, the paperweight trivet sitting by a music stand in our Music/Library Room. You can make more than one DIY with the same starting elements. I hope this gives you some inspiration.