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    Home » Holidays Seasonal » Spindle Ornaments | Repurposed Chess Pieces

    Spindle Ornaments | Repurposed Chess Pieces

    Published by Gail | Published October 23, 2020 | Updated December 23, 2022
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    How to make spindle ornaments for Christmas out of repurposed wooden chess pieces. This easy project can be completed in just a couple of hours. #MyRepurposedLife #repurposed #chesspieces #Christmas #ornaments #spindles via @repurposedlife

    Spindle ornaments out of repurposed chess pieces? YES! I have had these old wooden chess pieces for probably 10 years or more. If you’re a regular around here, you know I love spindle projects.

    Repurposed Chess Pieces

    repurposed chess pieces

    That’s right, these guys have been waiting around for their perfect repurpose into spindle ornaments. I was going camping, and knew that this would be the perfect project to work on.

     

    wooden chess pieces as Christmas ornaments

    My first step was to match up pieces that I thought would work well together.

    NOTE: Some of the pieces held felt on their base, I soaked them in water briefly and the felt came right off.

    *this post contains affiliate links, read more here*

     

    battery operated glue gun for spindle ornaments

    When I made my last crafting while camping project I used a regular glue gun with a battery inverter. But, I just ordered this Ryobi Glue Gun on Amazon and I’m in love with it!

     

    glue chess pieces to make spindle ornaments

    Use the hot glue gun to attach the pieces together. You can see the first one is already done on the picnic tablecloth.

    Paint Spindle Ornaments

    paint spindle ornaments

    I really liked the darker chess pieces, but was not a fan of the lighter ones, so I painted them with a white base coat.

     

    blue spindle ornament

    After applying blue chalky finish paint, I used a paper towel to remove some of the paint to allow the white to show through.

     

    colorful spindle christmas ornaments

    As I was testing out colors, I placed them on a plate to take a look. Which is your favorite?

     

    Crafting While Camping

    crafting while camping

    I opted to work on the “patio” of my campsite using my T.V. tray table I redid a few months ago.

     

    diy christmas spindle ornaments

    While I was waiting for the colorful spindle ornaments to dry, I assembled more light colored chess pieces and painted them black.

     

    fish table for crafting while camping

    If you camp, you may know that filling your tanks with unnecessary water can bring trouble. I’ve been using this fish cleaning table all summer for outdoor cleaning. It’s great for washing hands and dishes. I’ve also used it at home in the backyard for get togethers during his awful Covid 19. Wouldn’t it be great for potting plants too?

    So, long story short, it’s where I cleaned up all my paint brushes and messy hands.

    Paint & Glitter Spindle Ornaments

    red glitter spindle ornaments

    After the black chess pieces dried, I added several light coats of red glitter paint. The paint is clear, so you only see the red glitter. Perhaps it would be better OVER red paint?

    But seriously, the look really is growing on me.

     

     

    See? Aren’t the red glitter spindle ornaments pretty?

    Seal With Mode Podge

    mod podge spindle ornaments

    Back at home, I wasn’t really thrilled with the sheen of the ornaments. I felt they needed just a little shine. Out came the Mod Podge. I need to start taking it with me if I’m going to craft while camping.

     

    after mod podge (1)

    Don’t you think they look better with the mod podge applied? It’s still a little wet in this image.

    Add Screw Eyes for Hanging

    needle nose pliers to apply hooks (1)

    The red glitter pieces were shiny enough, no mod podge needed. It’s time to add screw eyes for hanging. Needle nosed pliers helped get the screw eyes started in the end of the spindle ornaments. These are so tiny--I bought them years ago for another project and never used them because they were too small.

     

    fork tine turns eye screws

    I grabbed a fork to finish turning the screw eye into the spindle.

    Christmas Spindle Ornaments—Jute or Twine?

    jute or twine (1)

    These are the two options I had for hanging the Christmas Spindle Ornaments. I chose to use the jute (right) on the colorful ornaments, and the other twine for the glitter ones.

     

    Spindle Ornaments Made From Chess Pieces

     

    My goal was to make the spindle ornaments look old, I think I pulled it off, don't you?

     

     

    Do you like the variety? Or maybe you like the glitter red ornaments better?

     

    Save & Share on Pinterest

    I'm really starting to love crafty Fridays! I use to stress out when I had to do glue gun projects--but as I get older, I'm loving them!

    gail

    I was inspired by the following:

    Ornaments Made From Spindles Lolly Jane

     

    Repurposed Mug Tree Ornaments Sadie Seasongoods

     

    Repurposed Table Legs Repurposing Junkie

     

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    1. Laurie L Kearnes

      December 18, 2021 at 12:24 am

      I love these!!!! I'd never have thought of it myself. I really, really like the black ones with the red glitter paint. You're amazing, Gail!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        December 20, 2021 at 9:23 pm

        Thank you soooo much Laurie! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

        gail

    2. Shirley

      February 10, 2021 at 4:34 pm

      I don’t know how I missed these before the holidays but I sure am glad I found them now. I’ve been racking my brain trying to figure out stuff to use for just this purpose and you did it! Congrats and thank you! Unfortunately the only sets I have are glass but they just might work too so I’m going to give it a try. So cool!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        February 10, 2021 at 10:23 pm

        Awesome Shirley, like they say, better late than never! Have fun with your project!

        gail

    3. Kathy A

      November 01, 2020 at 9:38 pm

      What a great idea! Rustic Christmas ornaments are beginning to grow on me--especially teamed with jute and buffalo plaid! I use some of the chess pieces for dollhouse table bases, lamps, etc. I destructed a magazine rack a while back with great spindles, had SO saw the spindles in half and and will eventually paint them to look like carrots (Lora B's idea I think). Prob not till after Christmas at the rate I am going! The ends became placques with small wreathes on them!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        November 02, 2020 at 8:40 pm

        How clever to use chess pieces for furniture items in a dollhouse! I love it when people think so far outside the box!!!

        gail

      • Catherine

        December 16, 2021 at 9:16 am

        Ilovethe ideas. I got the Ryobi glue gun a few months ago and love it too! Was a great investment for my crafting.

    4. girlfromwva

      November 01, 2020 at 3:38 pm

      such a cool idea! i will be on the look-out at the thrift store for chess pieces!

      Reply
    5. Diane Blake

      November 01, 2020 at 8:50 am

      It's been a while since I've been on Blogger. Found your posts and they never fail to inspire me. Thanks!

      Reply
    6. Sarah Ramberg

      October 23, 2020 at 7:41 am

      Ok, these are BRILLIANT, Gail!! What a fantastic idea!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        October 23, 2020 at 11:38 am

        Awww, coming from YOU, that means a lot Sarah! I guess you got the notification of a linkback? 🙂

        thanks for hopping over!

        gail

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    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

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