Make It Monday Simple Modern Candlesticks

Happy Monday! It is a cold and snowy day here in Montana--the perfect day to work in the shop with a lovely, cozy fire burning nearby in the wood stove. Today's project was born from an accidental Amazon order. I ordered candle cups that I wanted to add to some green glass votives I bought. 

(This post contains affiliate links which means if you buy something from the link provided, I may receive a small compensation.)

BUT, I either looked at the size wrong or wasn't thinking and ended up with teeny-tiny candle cups (HERE). I thought about returning them, I thought about painting them black and making them into snowmen hats, but then I thought of a way I could use them to make some simple, modern candlesticks using a few supplies.

I realized a could find Menorah candles to fit in the small candle cups. I got these at Target--there are plenty you can find online too. Once I had the candles, a scrap piece of 3"x3" white maple and about an hour of time and I created simple, modern candlesticks perfect for the holidays or year round.

Keep reading to see how I made these PLUS, if the organic modern look isn't your style, I have some ideas to create candlesticks that fit your home decor.

I cut a scrap piece of beautiful white maple that I found in the workshop into nine pieces. I just randomly cut them, trying to cut each one a little different length. I found the drill bit that the candle cups would snuggly fit. I drilled a hole in the top of each one (mostly in the middle 😁).

I sanded each candlestick and then used Wise Owl Furniture Salve (You can get it from my friend Tina HERE) to add a little shine and to protect the wood.

I used some Antique Gold Rub-n-Buff on the top rim and inside of the candle cups.

When the gold was dry, I used a rubber mallet to pound the candle cups into the drilled holes. I covered the cups with a rag when using the mallet to protect the gold finish.

The menorah candles are a little bit small for the candle cups so I wrapped the bottom with a little double stick carpet tape. I could also use some tissue paper or poster putty or hot glue or wax to hold the candles.

There are so many different ways to display these and use them. I grouped them together on a brass tray and added a little greenery.

They would look great arranged inside of a wreath or placed in a row on a scrap of wood. They also look nice sitting in a windowsill.

And yes, that is a white, wintery scene outside and no, I wouldn't burn the candles with the wreath string hanging down on them.

How can you personalize this project and create some candlesticks if you don't have some lovely wood scraps?

* Have a lumber yard or home improvement store cut a pine piece into different lengths. Stain them or paint them colors to match your home.

* Like a farmhouse look? Use spindles cut to different lengths for the candlesticks.

* Stack and glue wood beads with a large enough hole to fit the candle cup for a boho look.

* Use vintage, wood, children's blocks for a fun, colorful, vintage style. Stack and glue the blocks for different heights.

*Use small wood logs or branches for a lodge look.

Sometimes a mistake can lead to happy creation. I can't wait to use these for the holidays.