Upcycling thrift store finds just got more fun for me. Since I became an independent designer for Chalk Couture I look at things a little differently. Now I found myself asking: How can I update this thrift store find with Chalk Paste or Ink? (What is Chalk Couture?)
I think that painting will always be the fastest, cheapest, and most impactful way to update a thrift store find.
The Rules:
- Upcycle an item(s) from a thrift store, resale store, or garage sale into a new piece of decor.
- There’s no monthly theme.
- There’s no budget to stick to.
Meet the Hosts
Angela | Simply Beautiful by Angela
Victoria | Dazzle While Frazzled – Yami | The Latina Next Door
Kathleen | Our Hopeful Home – Jennifer | Cookies Coffee and Crafts
Deborah | Salvage Sister & Mister – Jeanie | Create and Babble
Gail | Purple Hues and Me – Michelle | Our Crafty Mom
Denise | My Thrifty House – Sue | A Purdy Little House
Marie | The Inspiration Vault – Michelle | Michelle James Design
Victoria | Dazzle While Frazzled – Yami | The Latina Next Door
Kathleen | Our Hopeful Home – Jennifer | Cookies Coffee and Crafts
Deborah | Salvage Sister & Mister – Jeanie | Create and Babble
Gail | Purple Hues and Me – Michelle | Our Crafty Mom
Denise | My Thrifty House – Sue | A Purdy Little House
Marie | The Inspiration Vault – Michelle | Michelle James Design
How to update thrift store finds with Chalk Couture
Materials (affiliate links are included):
- wooden thrift store find
- chalkboard paint
- Chalk Couture Chalkology Paste
- Chalk Couture Transfer
Step 1 – Find a wooden thrift store item to upcycle!

This is what I found. A wooden mail sorter? Organizer? Not sure exactly!

But I thought it would be a good candidate to paint and use as a mail/coupon organizer.

Well, whatever it was, it’s getting a makeover. Obviously, the thrift store thought it was Bric Brac -whatever that means! Is it related to knick-knacks???
Step 2 – Paint
I grabbed a bottle of chalkboard paint and brushed on a couple coats.

And it’s looking better already with just two coats of chalkboard paint.
Step 3 – Use chalk markers

I used a white chalk marker
to label each section. Am I the only one who gets to the store and realized that I forgot the coupon book? Every. Single. Time.

Step 4 – Add a finishing touch with Chalk Couture®


And to keep with the simple look, I used white Chalkology Paste. I smoothed it over the silk-screened area of the transfer, removed the excess chalk paste and removed the transfer while the chalk paste was still wet.

I gave it a quick shot with my hair dryer to speed up the drying process. I’m so impatient!

I couldn’t wait to get it hung up! No more forgetting coupons!

And now for more thrifty goodness!
Check out what my fellow upcyclers created below!
Here is Where I Party!
This looks fantastic, I need something like this so I can see it so it reminds me. I love the flower you added.
Oh, I love me some chalkboard paint projects! Fun makeover.
I love all of the treasures that can be found in the wood aisle of the thrift store. This is a handy little piece made handier with the chalkboard paint. It looks great.
This turned out really nice. What a difference chalkboard paint and a fun stencil design can make. It is perfect.
For .99cents how do you say no? I like the idea of creating a coupon organizer that is in the line-of-sight. I’m constantly — CONSTANTLY — forgetting coupons. Super cute idea! And I see things like this at the thrift store all the time so it would be an easy idea to duplicate.