Host Cindy Piccoli makes colorful candlesticks out of wood pieces such as furniture legs and stairway spindles.
Materials:
wood pieces (stair spindles, posts, furniture legs)
drill and wood-boring bit set
small copper plumbing pieces
brass candle cap
candle shaver
primer
paint
sandpaper
Steps:
- Collect wooden stair spindles, posts or furniture legs; try checking salvage stores, home centers or unfinished-furniture outlets.
- Cut the pieces by following the lines of the wood and looking for a natural cut-off point.
- Drill candle holes in the wood using a wood-boring bit set. If needed, use a candle shave (similar to a pencil sharpener) to trim down the bottom of the candle until it fits into the hole. Also, try using a one-inch bit. It may create a larger hole than needed but the space can be filled in with candle wax. Note:When drilling the wood, be sure to secure it in a vise or with clamps. A drill press is great for this project.
- Insert small copper plumbing pieces (figure A) into the drilled holes to create a nice copper base for a candle. In addition, a brass candle cap can be inserted into the hole for a perfect fit.
- Once the holes have been drilled and any rough edges sanded, prime the wood with either latex or oil-based primer, depending on what kind of topcoat has been selected.
- When the primer is dry, paint the candlesticks.
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