Savvy with Salvage: Finial Candle Stands

You've definitely seen them before, shapely caps on newel posts are a hallmark of traditional ornamentation. You'll see them not just on stairways but on fence posts, the ends of curtain rods and the tops of bed posts. New furnishings often incorporate this classic look, and they're nearly ubiquitous in old homes. Salvaged finials show up in antique stalls and flea markets, separated from their original posts but as comely as ever. The wood or painted finish all the more attractive for its aged patina. Antique finials are very appealing to decorators and you often see them placed on bookshelves or side tables in magazine spreads. But lovers of old things and shabby chic decor take note: a finial can be more than just a decorative object. Give one of these lovely pieces new life by re-purposing it as a candle stand.

If you are the type to treasure hunt antique malls, you may already have some finials. If not, they are easy to find at places that sell old stuff -- think antique malls and fairs, flea markets, salvage yards, junk shops. You should not have to pay more than a few dollars for your finial. The typical ball cap finial (that topped a newel or fence post) can stand on its own base. But finials with an attached rod (that would have inserted into a bed post or curtain pole) can also work for candle stands. For now we'll focus on how to create the stand pictured at right, and then have a look at other examples.

Supplies for Heart-Decorated Candle Stand

• old wood finial with a wide base (so it will stand freely)
• a pre-cut, 5" diameter, 1/8" wood disc (check craftparts.com)
• decorative paper ( I used Mabel 'Love' Letters Paper by My Mind's Eye)
• linen-type fabric (handkerchiefs have a pretty, semi-transparent quality)
• buttons (I like old mother-of-pearl buttons)
• heavy thread (I used a hemp twine) and needle
• white craft glue and a sponge (I recommend Mod Podge)
• finishing wax (Minwax) and a soft rag
• 6x1" flathead screw
• scissors, heart-shaped craft punch (if you have it), pinking shears (if you choose), a pencil, screwdriver, drill with a #6 bit, glue gun

Step 1: Cut the papers and fabric. For the top piece, place the wood circle on the decorative paper, trace around it and cut it out. An appropriately sized, heart shaped paper punch is by far the easiest way to cut multiple hearts. I used a Fiskars squeeze punch to make the 11 (2 inch) hearts encircling my candle stand top. You could also print out or copy a heart image (in any size) and use it as a template for tracing and cutting. Just remember that you will need enough hearts for the edges to slightly overlap as they circle the edge of the top. For your fabric template, take an extra paper heart, fold it in half and trim the edge by about 1/8th of an inch. Place it on the fabric and trace. I cut my fabric hearts with pinking shears for a decorative edge, but any scissor sharp enough to cut your fabric will do. You will need the same number of fabric and paper hearts.

Step 2: Sew together the hearts and embellish with buttons. In this step you are basically making a garland to attach to the edge of the candle stand top. It's possible to hot glue all the pieces together, but sewing makes for a sturdier finished product and adds one more layer of visual interest. I used a very fine hemp twine because I liked its natural color and rough texture with the linen and paper. Your thread or twine should be long enough to circle the edge of the top piece with 2-3 inches to spare at each end. Note: Choose a needle with an eye large enough for your chosen thread to pass through but small enough to pass through the button holes. If you are using a natural twine, rub a little furniture wax on your index finger and thumb and then down the length of the twine. This will help the paper glide more easily over the rough surface. Pick up a paper heart and push the needle through from the underside, slightly to the right of the center indentation of the heart. Thread a fabric heart on the needle, also right of center, and then your button. Push the needle back through the opposite button hole and then the fabric and paper, this time slightly to the left of the center indentation. Gently slide the heart to within several inches of the end of the thread and continue with the process until you have completed the garland.

Step 3: Attach the top to the finial. Center the wood circle on top of the finial. Drill a hole about 1 inch deep through the circle and into the top of the finial. Dab a little wood glue between the pieces and join with a flat-head screw.

Step 4: Decoupage the paper to top. Spread a thin layer of glue across the top. Place your paper round on the glue and smooth out creases and bumps with a slightly damp sponge. Spread another thin layer of glue over the top of the paper and wipe off any excess with the sponge.

Note: Once the glue has dried on your candle stand top, rub a very thin layer of finishing wax across it. Wait about 20 minutes and buff the wax off with a soft rag. This adds an extra layer of protection to the paper and will make it easier to remove candle drips.

Step 5: Glue on the heart garland. Lift one end of the garland and hold the first heart in place with one hand. Tilt the heart slightly and with your other hand dab hot glue on the edge of the candle stand top. Quickly place the heart on the hot glue (the button should be over the glue spot). Continue around the edge gluing the hearts into place. Let the hearts overlap slightly so that the edge is not exposed. After gluing the last heart in place, trim the ends of twine (which should be dangling where you started and finished gluing the garland).

As mentioned above, there are different types of finials. Some finials have an attached wood rod (or dowel). Wood dowels are easy enough to saw off but metal is trickier. Try to remove the metal piece with a wrench. If the finial's base is not wide or flat enough for it to stand freely, you can make a base. A thick (1/2 to 1 inch) wood round can be attached to the bottom of the finial using the same method you used to attach the top. You will just need to make sure the screw is truly flat -- or even slightly indented, on the underside of the stand so that it will not wobble.

Customize your candle stand for any season or decor by using the tools and adapting the steps described above.