Turn Wooden Spindles into Unique Candle Holders
By Jane Lake and Twila Lenoir
I’ve seen bed headboards discarded on the side of the street all the time. But it didn’t dawn on me, until I went up in the attic to get some of my craft supplies, how pretty the legs were on my daughter’s old headboard.
I brought the headboard, which was already painted white and gold, down from the attic – and then I saw it. A candle holder!
You could actually use any wooden spindle that takes your fancy for this candle craft. The spindles are commonly used as furniture legs, or as part of a fence railing or wooden gate. If you like the “turn” of a wooden spindle but can’t use it any more for its original purpose, why not recycle it into a unique and decorative candle holder?
Supplies:
- wooden leg spindle
- candle
- small clay pot – or a nail with a point at both ends
- sandpaper
- wood saw
- acrylic craft paint
- epoxy glue
- spray sealer
Instructions:
1. Saw the spindle off, reserving the prettiest part for your candle holder.
2. Sand the top flat. You may need to sand the entire leg if the paint is chipped.
3. Glue the terra cotta pot to the top of the leg with epoxy glue. Or tap a nail with a point on both ends into the center top of the leg.
4. Paint the leg and the clay pot in the color of your choice. I chose white and trimmed with gold. I also decided to paint a free hand design on the white areas…the photo shows my design of holly, berries, and gold swirls. An ivy vine clinging around the spindle would also look very nice.
5. An alternative to decorative painting would be rub-on decals in a theme that suits the season or your decor.
6. Finally, spray on a glossy sealer to protect the finish. Add your candle – then consider making another candle holder so you’ll have a matching set!
Caution: Never leave children alone with candles – and never leave a candle unattended while burning. Please use candles safely!
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