Staircase Spindle Candlesticks

Please forgive me.  I forgot…AGAIN…to take pictures of the finished reupholstered wingback chair.  I’m going to stop making promises, because frankly, being as tired as I am while I’m making the final push to finish up John & Alice’s family room and kitchen, I just can’t make any guarantees.  I was at my mom’s house all day yesterday working on the second wingback chair.  We did finish it, though…at 10:00pm!!

So the most that I can guarantee is that I’ll TRY to remember.  (I really need an assistant!!)

Anyway, in the absence of chair pictures, I thought I’d share a super easy project with you—these DIY candlesticks.  All three cost me about $6…

A while back, I purchase these staircase spindles from a thrift store.  I think I paid about $2 for each of them.

Using my handy miter saw, I cut off the excess bottom portions.

I also cut them to varying heights.

Then I used some scrap 1” x 3” MDF boards that I had on hand, and cut out nine squares.

Six of the squares were the same size, while I cut three of them a bit smaller.

Then I glued and nailed two of them to the bottom of each spindle (one big one and one small one), and then glued and nailed a big one to the top of each spindle.

After that, I did a little sanding, priming, painting, and then sanding again to distress the finish.  The result was three pretty little candlesticks that cost about $6.

Not to shabby for six dollars, right?  And I think they make a beautiful addition to John & Alice’s fireplace mantel.

The mantel still needs a little somethin’, but it’s getting there!

I love how this is turning out, and I especially love that it’s a collection of DIY projects…including the mantel!!  If you missed any of these projects, you can see them here:  mantel, painting, and wood shim mirror.

So have you ever made anything out of spindles?  I have now made these candlesticks, and the fancy chalkboard that I shared with you yesterday.  They’re so pretty and come in such a variety of shapes and sizes.  I feel like there are probably a thousand project that can be made with them!  If you have any brilliant ideas, or have a project that you’ve already made with them, please share!

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