How to Make Candlesticks from Old Spindles

Hi friends!  Have you ever found some cool architectural pieces while out thrifting that just need a little love?  That’s what I thought when I came across these balusters at an estate sale.  So today, I’m going to show you how to make candlesticks from old spindles! Let me just say that I don’t have woodworking skills and I have a healthy fear of power tools.  So I needed to find a way to attach a candle that didn’t involve drilling.  That’s when I came across two silver candle cups at a thrift shop.  Mind you, I didn’t know that’s what they’re called…I figured this out by doing a Google search.  You can purchase candle cups for less than a dollar each on Amazon.For this project, you’ll need:

  • sand paper
  • tack cloth or paper towels
  • chalk paint & paintbrush
  • wax & wax brush
  • cotton rags
  • candle cup
  • strong glue
  • taper candle

Step 1.

Clean the spindle with a rag dipped in warm soapy water and dry with a paper towel.Step 2.

Sand the spindle to add some “tooth”, which makes it easier for the paint to adhere to the wood.  These spindles were pretty shiny, so I really roughed them up!  Then remove the dust with a tack cloth or damp paper towel.

Step 3.

Paint the first coat of chalk paint.  I used Dixie Belle Chalk Mineral Paint  in Fluff.   Let dry for about half an hour.  Apply a second coat of paint and let dry.   Step 4.

Distress the spindle with sand paper.  Make sure to focus on the areas around the curves to really bring out the features.Step 5.

Apply wax with a wax brush.  You can also use a cotton rag to apply wax if you don’t have a wax brush handy.  I used mostly clear wax with a tiny bit of brown wax mixed in to give it an antique look.  I also didn’t want it to be quite so white.  I used Dixie Belle Best Dang Wax. Step 6.

After about 30 minutes, wipe away the excess wax with a cotton cloth.Step 7.

 

Apply glue (I used Gorilla Glue) to the rim of the candle cup and affix it to the top of the spindle.  Step 8.

Let the glue dry for at least 12 hours, then put a taper candle in the candle cup and you’re done!I hope this inspires you to keep an eye out for architectural pieces when you’re out thrifting.  I also made bookends from a pair of corbels that I bought for 25 cents each.  I used them in my Easter Tablescape post.

Thanks for stopping by today!  Hope to see you again soon!

Rebecca

 

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3 Comments

  1. Seriously you were able to find something called candle cups. I had no idea. I need to go look, thank you for the tip and tutorial. Love this.

  2. Rebecca, great idea for repurposing wonderful pieces into something useful and pretty. Thanks for sharing at Happiness is Homemade Link Party.

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