Make Your Own Cupcake Stands

While planning an adorable safari baby shower, I decided I wanted to add something to the table to add some height & color BUT this shower was being hosted for less than $50.  My options were limited, however, I remembered some recent cupcake stand ideas I've seen posted on numerous websites and headed to our local Dollar store.  I wondered down the long aisles, searching through plates and saucers trying to find something that I could use for a cupcake stand and still get the most for my dollar.  Then, I came across the stove burner covers (2 for a $1) and a pack of small plastic bowls (4 for $1). Perfect!  I tossed 6 candlesticks, to separate the levels, into the cart and called it a day.  

    I consider myself somewhat crafty but I'm by no means an expert as you can see in the picture below.  Apparently, not all spray paints are created equal.  Not only did I not take any precautions by wearing gloves, but the paint absolutely would not come off!  I scrubbed my hands with soap, scraped them with rough sponges, and poured a number of strange homemade concoctions on my hands with no luck.  That's when I started to panic.  I finally admitted defeat and gave into to the fact that I would have one blue smurf hand for the rest of my life.  This is when my husband decided to intervene and drove to the home improvement store for some expert advice.  My hero returned with a bottle of pumice hand cleaner.  The paint came off in minutes!  Lesson learned, gloves are your friend when spray painting. 

Materials: (makes 2 stands)
Plastic gloves & goggles for painting
1 can of spray paint 
6 glass candlesticks 
4 stove burner covers (2 large and 2 small)
2 small bowls 
hot glue gun

Step 1: Painting
Put on protective gear (goggles and gloves).  Follow instructions on the paint can and spray paint each item (candlesticks, stove burner covers, and bowls) individually.  Items may need 2-3 coats of spray paint to thoroughly cover all surfaces.  Allow items to dry completely.

Step 2: Build the Stands
Use a hot glue gun to attach each layer of the cupcake stand.  Start by applying hot glue around the top edge of a candlestick.  Attach the candlestick, glue side up, to the bottom of the large stove burner cover.  Repeat with the remaining candlesticks, burner covers, and bowls.  Allow glue to cool.  

Step 3: Stack Cupcake Stands 
Begin with the base (the candlestick attached to the large stove cover) on a steady surface.  Place the candlestick attached to the small stove cover on the top center of the base.  Then place the candlestick attached to the bowl on the top center of the stand.  Repeat for the remaining cupcake stand. 

If you love these cupcake stands, check out this adorable safari baby shower.