Thursday, March 18, 2021

Martini Stand Made From Thrift Store Finds

Martini Stand Made From Thrift Store Finds

You know how there are some things you never knew you "needed" until you see it? That's how it was for me when a friend recently posted a martini stand. 

Wait, what? A small stand that takes up very little space as it sits next to a chair or sofa holding drinks? Genius, and something I had never seen. Martini stands are on offshoot of cigarette stands that in the quite distant past where a staple in many homes, but are thankfully, rarely used any more. 
Martini Stand Made From Thrift Store Finds
I knew a martini table was the answer to our where should put a drink when we are sitting in the cozy, chaise corner of the sectional sofa. Although I am not a martini drinker, I do enjoy a good gin and tonic or margarita from time to time and the cozy corner is where I typically drink my morning cup of coffee and this stand will hold all of those perfectly. I also knew I could make a martini table for much less than I was seeing for sale (average price I have seen is $100--this one is from Ballard Design). 
Martini Stand Made From Thrift Store Finds
The next day I set out to the thrift store to find my martini table components and was very pleased to find everything I needed for $10.50 at the same thrift store.
Thrift Store Finds
I knew I needed a heavy candlestick or lamp base that would be stable and not tippy. This candlestick is perfect and although $6 is more than I would usually spend for one, when I saw the original price and felt the weight, I was happy with this thrift store find.
Martini Stand Made From Thrift Store Finds
I wanted the stand taller than the candlestick, so I added a wood turned candleholder that was $2. To attach this, I drilled down through it. I did quite a bit of counter sinking because I didn't have a long enough screw. I added a small piece of a dowel into the candle cup on the tall candlestick. this was a tight fit, I had to hammer it in to get it in the cup.
Martini Stand Made From Thrift Store Finds
I didn't want to glue the small, $2 brass tray directly to the top of the small candle holder because I felt it would easily pop off if it is bumped. There is a small lip under the brass tray, so I decided I needed a thin piece of wood to screw to the top candle holder. I didn't have any thin wood, hmmm? Ding, ding, ding--I always have extra backs of picture frames so I used one of those. I rounded the ends using the handheld jigsaw to cut it. 
Martini Stand Made From Thrift Store Finds
I then spray painted the candlesticks base dark blue. To attach the tray, I used Gorilla Glue and put 12 pounds of weight on top and let it sit overnight. 
Martini Stand Made From Thrift Store Finds
I knew I didn't like the alligator skin look and the candlestick. I thought that I would maybe wrap it with jute or fabric. Then I remembered that I had some wood craft veneer that I had previously purchased for 50 cents at the same thrift store. 
Martini Stand Made From Thrift Store Finds
I made a cardstock template and then cut the wood veneer with my paper cutter. 
Martini Stand Made From Thrift Store Finds
I used wood glue to adhere the wood veneer and then used rubber bands to keep the edges down and tight. I let it dry a couple hours and then finished the wood veneer with Wise Owl's Furniture Salve. You can get it HERE from a friend that sells it.
Martini Stand Made From Thrift Store Finds
I love how the martini stand doesn't take up hardly any space and sits easily next to the sectional. 
Martini Stand Made From Thrift Store Finds
It tucks away nicely too and is very sturdy, plus making it for $10.50 makes me just a bit giddy--or maybe that's the gin. 😉
Martini Stand Made From Thrift Store Finds

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