DIY Repurposed Wooden Spindle Carrots
Wooden Spindles can be upcycled and repurposed into charming rainbow-colored heirloom carrots. a fun DIY project for garden-inspired home decor.
When you see old spindles, do you want to start a fire with them (like my hubs does), or are they begging to be repurposed, and give them new life? These poor old crib spindles from different eras have served their purpose. The chippy ones on the right have even been repurposed into a table already {you can see it in “Summer Porch Tour”}. You know it’s bad when you’re repurposing the things you’ve already repurposed! Well, these old spindles are turning into heirloom carrots today! Here’s how to make DIY Repurposed Wooden Spindle Carrots.
Today’s project is part of our monthly Pinterest Challenge, organized by Cindy at County Road 407. If you’re visiting from there, I’m sure you enjoyed Cindy’s adorable hat door decor! Every month our fearless leader Cindy chooses a seasonal pic for a group of creative bloggers to design around. This month our inspiration is a fun garden hose wreath made by create craft love. You can see how to create it HERE. Thanks, Jill, for letting us share your pic!
Here are the things that popped out to me as I was coming up with my design inspiration:
Now I must admit, I’m going to go a little off-roading this time around. Because the truth is, I’ve already made quite a few hose wreaths. And I really like my version, completely made from a bunch of curbside hoses. You can get the complete tutorials in my FREE Resource Library by becoming a Lora B Insider down below or in the sidebar.
The good news is, this challenge did just that…challenged me to come up with something totally new! Have you ever noticed the beautiful bags of rainbow-colored heirloom carrots that usually show up in grocery stores around Easter? I’m taking a cue from nature’s beauty and turning it into unique door decor!
DIY Repurposed Wooden Spindle Carrots
For your convenience, this post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission. There is no additional cost to you. My full privacy policy is here.
Old spindles have been repurposed into carrots before. I really liked the versions done by some of my friends HERE and HERE. I figured they wouldn’t mind if I made my own version and popped them onto a Spring wreath.
Here’s how you can make your own! (find old spindles HERE)
Craft your Spindle Carrots First
- If you can find tapered spindles, they will look the most like carrots. I used a mixture of styles. Cut the spindles in 6-8″ sections. They should have rounded tops and tapered ends.
- Paint the spindles. with craft paints. If you need color inspiration, google images of heirloom carrots. I used a classic orange, purple and a soft gold.
- Don’t mind if the spindles look brushy; the added texture will look more real.
- Drill holes in the end of the spindle carrots to fit your greenery stem.
- Choose feathery faux greenery that resembles carrot’s foliage. THIS garland works really well if you clip it into small pieces. You’ll still have plenty to decorate other places with.
- Using a hot melt glue gun (HERE), glue small sections of greenery into your drilled holes. Finish off the top of the carrots by gluing small pieces of lichen (HERE)
- You’ll have beautiful, heirloom-variety carrots when you’re done!
Add Repurposed Spindle Carrots to a Grapevine Wreath
These fun, upcycled carrots can be used so many ways! But for today’s challenge, I’m attaching them to a grapevine wreath for Springtime door decor.
I kind of forgot to take a pic of my first step:( But I started by gluing a large, longer light green leaf (about 3″x 6″) at about 1-3 o’clock on an 8″ wreath form (HERE).
Then I glued on the purple and yellow spindle carrots like they were laying on each other.
Next, I tied a bit of raffia (HERE) and knotted it on the orange carrot before gluing it on the top.
Finish the Spring Door Decor Wreath with Butterflies
I usually have butterflies in my stash, but came up empty. And since we’re not supposed to be going out to stores right now, I had to get creative to come up with butterflies to finish off this cute wreath. Luckily I had some pretty paper with butterfly illustrations. I simply cut them out, bent up their wings a little and hot glued them on. Second best idea wasn’t that bad; scarcity promotes creativity, right?
Hang your Repurposed Spindle Carrot Wreath on your Door!
As a nod to our inspiration pic hose wreath, I added a section of hose to hang my wreath from. I like the addition of a little junk, too, and a bit of black always sets off everything nicely.
Ready for the big reveal? I love it, and still have plenty of spindle carrots to spread around the house in other vignettes!
Need old spindles? Look HERE.
There’s definitely similarities to our inspiration pic, don’t you think? I can’t wait to see what everyone else came up with. If you’re going in order, visit Thistle Key Lane next! I’m sure you’ll love Michelle’s cute garden gloves bouquet on her door!
Thanks for visiting! Hope this DIY Repurposed Wooden Spindle Carrots idea finds you hunting down some old spindles and giving them new life. That’s what Spring and Easter is all about!
Pin, Share, and Enjoy the Rest of the Ideas!
Spring Door Decor Pinterest Challenge
Sharing at these lovely parties:
Your spindle carrots are fantastic. An idea I must persue.
Definitely do, Linda!
LOVE these spindle carrots Lora! We are sharing this project this week over on the Creative Crafts Linky Party! Thanks for joining in the FUN!
Wonderful, Beth! Thanks so much:)
Adorable Lora! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm–pinned!
Thanks, Cecilia!
What a cute idea! I’m glad you didn’t allow your husband to use the spindles for kindling!
Michelle
http://mybijoulifeonline.com
I’m glad I caught him before he did, too, Michelle! Kind of makes me wonder what other cool junk he’s burned:( After 20+ years of repurposing vintage junk , he still doesn’t get it; I give up! I just have to keep a close eye…
Your spindle carrots are AWESOME, Lora! I like them so much better than mine (thank you for the shout out BTW). Such a great idea of making heirloom carrots and another great idea adding them to a Spring wreath! Pinned both the carrots and the wreath 🙂
Thanks, Marie! When I saw yours and Sarah’s, I just knew I had to make some this year! They are so. much. fun.
Adorable wreath, Lora!!! I hadn’t seen your other hose(s) wreaths but I had seen some of your carrots. I LOVE the purple carrots as they look sooo real! Fun, fun idea!!! <3
Sending you virtual hugs,
Barb 🙂
Thanks, Barb! I had so much fun with those carrots!
Such a unique idea, love the colors of the carrots and the butterfly really stands out!
My eye just craves all the pretty, vibrant Spring colors this time of year!
Lora, this is such a cute idea. I will now look for spindles at flea markets and garage sales. I really like that you used different colors for your colors. More natural for a spring wreath. Great explanation too. Happy spring and hopping.
Thanks, Carol! Good luck on your spindle hunt; hope we get some Spring treasure hunting in this year!
I love these carrots, great idea and so cute. The colors really are nice together.
I had way too much fun with them, Marlene:) Thx!
How cute! I love how you made them different colors!
Tania
Trying to go heirloom-rainbow colored, Tania. I might make a few rosy-red ones, too! They were fun!
You come up with the best ideas! I adore your carrot spindles and the wreath that you made using a few of them is as cute as can be. I also love the hose wreaths that you made in the past. They are perfect for hanging on a garden shed or on a porch.
Thanks for your sweet compliments, Paula! My brain does come up with all kinds of crazy, junky ideas; wish my hands could keep up!
I have LOTS of spindles (I cannibalized an old chair), and I SO want to make some spindle carrots! So pretty that you made them in all different colors, too!
You’re well on your way, then, Julie! Think I might want to add a few rosy red ones, too, now that I found some pictures on google! They’re so fun to decorate with!
Lora, what a great way to re-purpose the spindles. I love your wreath and the hose wreath as well. Hope you are staying safe and healthy!
Glad we’ve got Spring decorating and DIY to help our mindset these days, Terrie!
The wreath is fantastic! I even loved them all clumped together. I have several and was just waiting for the perfect idea. Love it! Thank you for joining in this month. Stay safe my creative blogging Bestie!
I’ve got so many old spindles hanging around here, I just had to come up with another project to make with them! Loved all the variety this time around! Thanks for rounding us up!
Love your creative DIY. I love the carrots.
Thanks, Amy! I’m spreading the rest of them around the house:)
Lora,
Absolutely amazing!!! I love this and you always have a supply of great pieces and see the vision to turn them into something spectacular!!🥕🥕🥕
Cindy
Thanks, Cindy! Yes, my stash of junk, craft supplies and decorating items is never ending! It all inspires me to create!Thank you!
This is adorable. I am making some carrots today actually. I always love your crafts. They are so, so cute.
Fun, Katie! I love decorating with carrots this time of year; they’re perfect for Easter into gardening season.
Lora, I knew you would come up with something totally unique and adorable! Love those carrots and the little bit of lichen moss on each one is the crowning touch.
Thanks, Michelle. I knew they needed another texture to bridge the wood and the greenery; luckily I had the lichen on hand!