Upcycled Thrift Store Globe

There is nothing that I love more than a thrifted and unique piece of decor. When I saw this old globe at the thrift store I immediately knew that it was getting the makeover of a lifetime! This Sunflower Upcycled Thrift Store Globe is one project that you are NOT gonna want to miss!

Upcycled Sunflower Thrift Store Globe Makeover decoupaged with sunflower and black and white check rice paper, and totally dazzled bling for a unique and fun piece of makeover decor on a budget.

I am a little bit obsessed with finding fun, different, and unique things at thrift stores and then jazzing them up to fit my style. First, it was this Thrift Store Lamp, and now this Upcycled Thrift Store Globe!

Ever since I discovered printables from Cathy at Digital Deco Designs I have been literally obsessed. I’m telling ya, go check them out for yourself and I dare you to not get addicted!

The main print I ended up going with for this gorgeous Upcycled Thrift Store Globe was the Vintage Sunflower print called “The Victoria”, which I thought was just perfect for the Vibe I was going for on this one.

I complimented it with the Black and White Hand Painted Checks, and it couldn’t go together more perfectly!

2 pieces of rice paper, hand painted black and white checks on the left and sunflower on the right.

I have a printer, so I download and print them onto rice paper at home, but she offers print and ship as well for those that may not have a printer. Either way, once you start Mod Podging rice paper, you can’t stop!

This Sunflower Globe is the very definition of a Statement Piece, but it doesn’t have to be made Sunflower like mine. If you can get your hands on one of these awesome globes from your thrift store, you can make it over in any way that matches your decor or that your little heart desires!

I got way more then this uh-maz-ing globe thrifting that day, so if you’re curious what else I scored you can check out the replay where I showed the whole haul!

This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a cent more!)

Supplies Needed to Upcycle a Thrift Store Globe

A thrift store globe, totally dazzled bling, and 2 pieces of rice paper.

Thrift Store Globe (You can get them on Amazon but they are expensive!)
Digital Deco Designs “The Victoria”
Digital Deco Designs Black and White Hand Painted Checks
Twine
Burlap ribbon with frayed edges
Vintage Lace
Paper Sunflowers
Faux Sunflower Head
Totally Dazzled Rhinestone Applique
Totally Dazzled Antique Gold Bows
White paint
Mod Podge
Hot glue gun

How to Upcycle a Thrift Store Globe with Sunflower Printable Designs

I made over this Thrift Store Globe on video, so you can WATCH it or click on the picture right below.

Amanda holding the completed project on a Facebook live thumbnail.

Watch the video here

This was THE single longest live that I have ever done at a solid 3 hours. But you don’t have to watch the entire thing to get the point and see how it was made, as 2 of those hours were spent ripping and Mod Podging pieces of rice paper to the Thrift Store Globe.

The very first (and very important) first step is to paint the entire thing white, base and all. It helps to take the globe apart, but you can do that either before or after you paint. I painted the round part first, and then took it apart and painted the base.

A thrift store globe before it was painted and decoupaged or upcycled.

The next part is tedious and time consuming, but it’s really very easy. Rip up a bunch of squares of rice paper approximately 5″x5″ and begin Mod Podging them to the globe in a patchwork fashion. One by one, decoupage them on until your entire Thrift Store Globe is covered in rice paper.

Close up of the sunflower rice paper decoupaged to the globe.

Now cover the the base and the side metal part with the Hand Painted Checks paper. This was a bit tricky, but I basically Mod Podged a large piece of paper on, and then sanded off the edges. This was much easier than trying to cut the paper to be the exact size and shape of the metal parts.

The base of the globe decoupaged with black and white check rice paper and a mini rhinestone bow.

Once you have the whole thing covered in the rice paper (probably hours later), you’ll obviously need to put the globe back together. But then it’s time to decorate and jazz it up with some burlap, Totally Dazzled bling, and some sunflowers!

Several pieces of Totally Dazzle bling on a table.

I took some burlap ribbon with frayed edges and glued it all around the “equator”, aka the center of the Thrift Store Globe.

Then I glued the on Rhinestone Applique and a couple of paper sunflowers on each side of it.

The center of the globe with burlp ribbon and a rhinestone applique, with a small sunflower on each side.

I made a super simple bow with some of the same burlap and a strip of vintage lace, and then glued a faux sunflower head right to the center before gluing that to the very top of the Upcycled Globe.

My sunflower head was wayyyyyy too bright yellow, so I grunged it up with a little Antique Wax so it went with the vibe of the rest of the globe.

A bow with burlap, vintage lace, and a faux sunflower head.

Here she is in all her glory! This is quite possibly one of my very fave projects I have ever done and I have it on my Sunflower living room as we speak. It’s the perfect compliment to my new Sunflower Gallery Wall!!

If you want to see another Thrift Store Flip I did with Digital Deco Designs, check out this gorgeous Lamp Makeover!

Are you going to Upcycle a Thrift Store Globe ? Shoot…are you gonna upcycle anything at all?! If you do, I’d love to see it! Pop on over to our free Craftspiration Facebook group, and join in on the fun by posting a pic of your Tiered Trays, DIY’s and crafts. I just love to see all your creative and crafty creations.

If you’ve got a million projects on your crafting ‘to-do’ list like I do, than you need my FREE Craft Project Planner so you can plan to make *all the things*! When you sign up for the craft planner, I’ll also send you lot’s of fun, easy, and budget friendly ideas for you to fill it up with!