Upcycle Vintage Glass Light Shades Into Cute Cloche Decor With A Simple DIY

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Glass cloches are making a stylish comeback that doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon. You've probably seen them pop up in your favorite home decor magazine or store. Historically, a cloche (the French word for bell) is a dome-shaped glass used to cover plants, protecting them from cold temperatures and storms. Glass bell jars are also commonly used in science labs and as food covers. At some point in this storied history, however, homeowners and designers alike decided to turn them into indoor decorative items filled with their favorite candles, dried flowers, small statuettes, or pretty orbs ... There are just so many ways to decorate them!

If you'd like to hop onto the cloche trend, you might already have the materials to make one in your home. Yes, that vintage glass light shade you purchased on a whim from the thrift store years ago can be upcycled into a decorative cloche. All you need to create this vintage decor item that's finding its way back into trendy homes is said light fixture and a large doorknob. A few other materials you'll need for this project include a pack of J-B Weld Epoxy for a bit over $6 and popsicle sticks and a small piece of cardboard or heavy paper for mixing the epoxy. You'll also need a base for your cloche. Almost any material will do, but be sure it's wide enough to cover the mouth of the light shade. Wood rounds, ceramic dishes, plastic platters, or round trinket trays are all good options.

Start by cleaning your glass light shade using glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Wipe any dust or dirt off the doorknob, too. Squeeze the epoxy onto a piece of cardboard and mix it together using a popsicle stick. Apply the glue to the underside of the doorknob — the area where it will make contact with the light shade's rim. Press the epoxy-covered doorknob onto the rim of the light shade and allow the glue to dry. Now all that's left to do is to arrange your decorative items of choice on the base and cover the vignette with your newly made cloche.

Give your decorative cloche a nature-inspired theme by filling it with moss in seasonal hues, soft stones, and battery-powered LED lights, then sit in on a wall-mounted shelf or side table. Add gold or silver leaf to the doorknob for a more elegant touch or sprinkle small pieces onto the glass for a cool holiday effect. You can also upcycle glass jars into this unique home decor in much the same way as the light fixture. Use the screw-on lid as the base. If you don't have any doorknobs, create a modern farmhouse look by substituting the knobs with twine-wrapped stoppers. Don't be afraid to decorate the exterior of the cloche, too. Use the epoxy to secure a ribbon bow around the base of the glass cover or wrap it in a seasonal wreath or artificial vining foliage.