Repurposed Salt and Pepper Shakers

23 November

Salt and pepper shakers are one of the most common things I see at thrift stores and garage sales. There are so many different styles and designs. Some are cute, some are very elegant, and some are... well... ugly! 😄


I love the cute ones and I always want to buy them when I see them, but for me, they are also one of the hardest things to sell online in my shop.


But I've discovered a fun way to repurpose them and I'm going to show you how. This isn't my original idea, I've seen different variations and techniques online and I wanted to try some of my own.


I'm sharing this project as part of this month's Do-It-Over-Designers challenge. A group of us blogging friends create projects from old and forgotten items that we find and we share them together on our blogs. At the end of my post, you'll be able to check out all their projects.


I'm using these Thanksgiving turkey 🦃salt and pepper shakers that I found at the thrift store for $1.49 for this project.


Repurposed Salt and Pepper Shakers


Repurposed Salt and Pepper Shakers

Aren't they cute? I love how one is dressed like a pilgrim and one is an Indian.


I'm going to transform these into decorative tassels for my challenge project😃


Repurposed Salt and Pepper Shakers

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Supply List:
  • Salt & Pepper Shaker(s)
  • Fabric scraps (at least two or three coordinating)
  • Yarn and/or lace scraps
  • Embroidery floss
  • Large needle
  • Beads (I used three wooden beads)
  • Hot glue gun and glue sticks
  • Trim (pom-pom trim, fringe, etc.)


To get started, remove the stoppers and clean the salt and pepper shakers.


Repurposed Salt and Pepper Shakers


Pick out a few different fabrics and some yarn that coordinates.


Repurposed Salt and Pepper Shakers


Tear the fabric into strips about 1/2" wide and double the length that you want them to hang below the shaker.


Cut the yarn to the same length. You can add anything else you want to the mix. I added some vintage lace.


Repurposed Salt and Pepper Shakers

Lay the strips of fabric, yarn, etc. on top of each other in a criss-cross fashion.


Repurposed Salt and Pepper Shakers


You can make the pile as big as you want just remember it will be folded in half for the tassel.


Repurposed Salt and Pepper Shakers

Use a piece of embroidery floss and tie a knot around the center of the pile.


Repurposed Salt and Pepper Shakers


Make sure to leave a long enough tail on the embroidery floss that you can thread through the salt shaker.


Repurposed Salt and Pepper Shakers


Thread one of the embroidery floss tails through a large needle.


Repurposed Salt and Pepper Shakers


Then thread it through the bottom of the shaker where the stopper was and up through one of the holes of the shaker. Don't remove the needle just yet!


Repurposed Salt and Pepper Shakers


Thread it through the beads. You can use just one bead or several. I used three wooden beads.


Repurposed Salt and Pepper Shakers


Repeat this process with the other embroidery floss tail pulling it through one of the other holes in the salt shaker and then through the beads. 


Pull the whole thing tight so the fabric tassel is tight against the bottom of the shaker.


Repurposed Salt and Pepper Shakers


I put one final bead at the top and tied the floss in a knot around it.


Repurposed Salt and Pepper Shakers


Now, use some trims of your choice and hot glue it around the base of the shaker.


Repurposed Salt and Pepper Shakers


I used some green fringe.


Repurposed Salt and Pepper Shakers

You can layer different coordinating trims or just do one layer.


Repurposed Salt and Pepper Shakers


Finally, add a ribbon hanger by threading it through the top bead with the needle. You can skip the beads altogether if you like and just loop the ribbon through the embroidery floss.


Repurposed Salt and Pepper Shakers

You can pull off any loose strings from the fabric and trim it up if necessary.


But that's it, you now have cute salt and pepper shaker tassels!


Repurposed Salt and Pepper Shakers

I hung these on my Thanksgiving fireplace mantel.


Repurposed Salt and Pepper Shakers

Repurposed Salt and Pepper Shakers

Repurposed Salt and Pepper Shakers

Repurposed Salt and Pepper Shakers


As promised, here are the links to the other ladies' projects, Just click each one to hop over to their blogs!


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  1. These are absolutely adorable and, as usual, super creative. I love the way you mind works!

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  2. Tania, I think you had too much fun creating your salt and pepper shakers tassels! They are adorable and so unique! Have a great Thanksgiving!

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    Replies
    1. It definitely was a lot of fun Gail, I'll be making more for sure!

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  3. What a fun idea. Those shakers were pretty cute to begin with but now rather than just seeing them on the dinner table once a year you can enjoy them in your decorating for a good few weeks. I've never picked up novelty shakers when I've fallen across them in charity shops and car boot sales but now I will see additional potential in them!

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    Replies
    1. I thought they were cute to begin with too and like you said, they can be enjoyed for a longer period now. They would even make a cute hostess gift if you're going to dinner at someone's house.

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  4. This has to be the cutest upcycle I've ever seen! They would also make adorable ornaments for the tree. Great project, Tania...now I have to take a closer look at all of those salt and pepper shakers I see all the time!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Ann, I'm looking at them with new perspective now too!

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  5. Those tassels are so adorable Tania! Such a beautiful way to embellish your Thanksgiving decor; love them!

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  6. What a fun and original idea. I don't think I've ever found salt and pepper shakers this cute but I'll keep a look out now.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Rachel. This S&P set is pretty sweet for sure!

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  7. These are so cute Tania! I would not have thought to use salt and pepper shakers in this way, but now I am wondering where I can find a set in need of some love. Great idea!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! They don't even have to be a set, in fact the ones that are missing their mates probably need rescuing even more!

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  8. You are right, you can find these in thrift stores all the time. I have never thought to make something different with them. Great project and they are so adorable.

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  9. Your salt & pepper tassels turned out super cute Tania! Such a great way to use bits and pieces of a craft stash.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Tuula! Yes, I love it when I can use things from my stash.

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  10. The S & P's were adorable to begin with and the tassels make them so festive!
    Very cute idea!

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  11. This is an adorable upcycle! I have a couple of turkey shakers from the late 80s that might have new life with some trims, but mine def need a coat of spray paint!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Gina, I hope yours turn out SO cute!

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