Several weeks ago, Lee and I began monthly DIY projects focused, in part, on being more “green”. For us, that means finding new uses for common auction finds!
This month’s project features something that is always readily available at most live auctions –candlestick holders! Candlestick holders have been a common household item, both decorative and useful since the 1600s. While today’s most common uses of candles, and their respective holders, are for aromatherapy or “mood lighting”; for over 200 years from the 1600s-1800s, candlestick holders were commonly used as courting candles. When the candle burnt down to the holder – the date was over!
We decided that an item which boasts such an interesting background certainly deserves a second chance at being a centerpiece. Each estate auction brings a sundry of mismatched candlestick holders – many of which end up discarded and in landfills.
With this in mind, here are two ways to repurpose candlesticks into fun new centerpieces: 1) a cake plate and 2) a center piece fit for a princess party!
Lee’s Project: Inspired by this post
Materials Needed:
(1) Candle Stick
Spray Paint
Cheap Transparent Plastic Beads (Pony Beads)
Cake Pan (I used a 9” pan)
E3000 Glue
Directions:
First wash and dry your candle stick
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees
While your oven is heating up take your candlestick to a well ventilated area and spray first coat of paint (depending on your paint it may need a couple of coats)
Pour beads into an UNGREASED cake pain ***Disclaimer*** Be sure that the cake pan is unmarked on the bottom otherwise the letters will show up on your cake plate.
Put beads and pan into oven and turn on the fan ***Second Disclaimer*** Make sure your kitchen is well ventilated, the beads will smell when they melt.
Check your candlesticks, if needed apply a second coat (Heather and I spray painted ours together to save on time, for this project you only need one candle stick
Check on your beads, they should be starting to melt, once they are fully melted pull them out of the oven and let them cool slightly (we put it in the snow to help it cool). It should come out of the pan cleanly. Once out of the pan let the beads cool completely.
Once the bead plate is cool use your E3000 glue to affix it to the candle stick.
Let glue dry and admire your new fabulous cake plate!
Heather’s Project
Inspired by this
Supplies:
Two Candlesticks of Similar Size
Spray Paint
Cup and Saucer
Florist Foam
Silk Flowers
E3000 Glue
Directions:
First wash and dry your candlesticks
Take your candlesticks to a well ventilated area and spray paint
Let dry and add a second coat if necessary
Once your candlesticks are dry, use your E3000 Glue and adhere your candlesticks together
While your candlesticks dry, cut the foam to fit inside your teacup and arrange your flowers
Use your E3000 glue to adhere your cup to the saucer and plate
Once the glue on your candlesticks and cup and saucer is dry, apply glue to the top of the candlestick and bottom of the saucer plate and adhere and let dry
In the end, we were both tickled by the outcomes and can’t wait for next month’s project! If you have any ideas or suggestions please feel free to email us and let us know! As always, you are welcome to share your auction DIY projects with us, we will feature them on our blog and Facebook page. For more ideas on DIY projects, be sure to check out our Pintrest page!
