It’s DIY time again! The amazing Sarah is back with another fun DIY project! We’ve made it all the more fun by adding in a GIVEAWAY so be sure to scroll to the bottom for details!
Happy summer, lovely readers! It has been a hot one down here in the South, but I’ve had lots of fun projects to keep me busy inside where there is air conditioning (and usually ice cream)! I’m pleased to share this month’s DIY, perfect for a summer wedding with a vintage twist. We were inspired by gorgeous, vintage chandeliers and the glittering rainbows of light that shimmer from glass prisms. We captured that lovely idea with faceted glass beads hanging from custom cake stands. Make one big one for your wedding cake, or make a bunch and have small cakes adorned with flowers as centerpieces. Juxtapose the delicate prisms with a bright summery color for a modern look, or go metallic for the “Wow!” factor! The yummiest treats will look even more delectable when sitting on one of these bejeweled pedestals! See below for the step by step! *Plan ahead, this is an all day project*
Materials:
- 1 wooden plate/plaque and candlestick per cake stand. The plates and plaques are available at any craft store, but I found everything I needed at a secondhand shop. Thrift stores tend to have a lot of wooden items, so if you like the thrill of the hunt, check there first. If you want to make one to hold a large cake, have some wood cut to size at a hardware store.
- Chandelier prisms/crystals or faceted glass beads. Authentic chandelier prisms can be hard to come by (and expensive!), so check your bead store for glass beads. I used 8 beads for the larger cake stand, and 4-6 for the smaller ones, but you can use as many as you like.
- Lace trim
- Flat eye pins
- Wood glue
- Super glue
- Wood primer or gesso
- Acrylic craft paint in color of your choice
- Flat craft paintbrushes
- Needle nose and round nose pliers
- Ruler and pencil
- *Optional* Protective sealant or topcoat (I used Minwax Polycrylic Protective Finish spray)
Step 1: Start by measuring the bottom of the plate to get the middle. Place the candlestick and trace around it to have a guide for when you glue it down. Apply a small amount of wood glue, press down and wipe off the excess. Place a few heavy books on top of the upside down cake stand and let it dry for about an hour before you move it.
Step 2: Apply gesso or a wood primer all over the surface of the cake stand. This will seal the wood so the paint doesn’t soak into it. It took me about 3 coats to get it fully covered, but use your best judgment. If you are using a dark paint color, you may need less. Let each coat dry thoroughly before adding the next one.
Step 3: Once the primer is dry, apply the paint. I used a metallic paint, and it took about 5 coats to get it covered, since metallic paint tends to be more translucent. Let dry in between each coat, and let dry completely after the last coat. If desired, apply an acrylic topcoat or sealant to the paint for an extra level of protection from scratches.
*Keep in mind that this and many other craft paints/sealants are not food safe. You will need to use a cardboard disk or wax paper in between the food and the cake stand. If you want to use food directly on the surface, find a food safe paint or sealant to ensure your health and safety.*
Step 4: While you wait for the cake stand to dry, start assembling the chandelier beads. Thread the bead onto the eye pin, cut the pin to size (I usually leave about 1/2 inch) and then using round nose pliers, form a small loop at the other end of the pin, leaving slightly open. Make as many beads as you want to hang from your cake stand.
Step 5: Once the stand is completely dry, take your lace trim and superglue, and begin gluing to the edge of the plate. Use a very small amount of glue, a little goes a long way, and you don’t want a messy finish. Cut the trim to overlap slightly, and glue into place.
Step 6: Take the chandelier beads and start hanging them onto open spots in the lace, using needle nose pliers to close the loops. Make sure the beads are all evenly spaced.
You now have a lovely, one of a kind cake stand! Have fun and stay crafty! Until next time, my lovelies!
Now to make it all even sweeter, Sarah has decided to giveaway this adorable peach cupcake stand! To enter, just tell me about the best cupcake you’ve ever had! Contest is open today through next Wednesday the 13th. One lucky reader will be randomly chosen and then announced on the 15th. Good luck! The green and gold stands will be available for purchase in Sarah’s Etsy shop.
