2016 GARDENER'S IDEA BOOK
• Tall Candestick
Find one that screws apart in three pieces.
(Garage sales, estate sales, and antique stores are good places to check out)
The one we used is Indian-style brass,
and about 4ft tall.
• Wood bowls
One should fit inside the other for a tiered effect. The color doesn't really matter.
You'll spray-paint it to match the
candlestick you find.
• Metallic Outdoor Spraypaint
The color should match your candestick.
• Small ruler
• Potting Soil & Flowers
You'll want to choose plants that don't need
a lot of water since the bowls won't hold
that much soil.
• Candle
MATERIALS
TOOLS
• Power Drill
We winged it using a 1/8'' drill bit to drill a circle of holes, but you can use a spade drill bit or a hole saw to speed up the process.
• Small Saw
Something like the one pictured above is ideal for this project. If you'll be using a hole saw, you can ignore this one.
• Sandpaper
80-100 grain will do well
• Dust Mask
It's always a good idea to protect your lungs from small particles while sanding.
TIPS
• Prepare Your Work Area
You'll be sanding and using spraypaint, so pick an area with good ventilation. Lay down newspaper or dropcloth to avoid unwanted paint splatters.
• Don't Oversand
You only need to sand off enough finish for the spraypaint to hold.
• Metal Bowls Last Longer
If you're lucky you'll find thin metal bowls that you can use in place of wood ones. Aluminum would work well. If you go this route, make sure you have quality drill bits that can handle the task.
HOP TO IT!
Drill Out A Circle
Measure the diameter of your candestick at the spot where your bowl will sit. The circular hole you'll make should be sized accordingly. The bowl needs to fit over the shaft of the candle holder without being too loose.
Drill Enough Holes To Pop Out The Wood Circle
After you've drilled enough holes, the center piece
of the bowl should become loose enough for you to
remove it. If you have a spade drill bit or hole saw, use it to make the hole.
Smooth Operator
The hole is bound to be a little wonky - that's ok. Use the little saw and some sandpaper to even it out and smooth any rough areas.
Repeat Steps 1-3 With The Other Bowl(s)
The holey wood bowl.
Rough Em Up With Sandpaper
The spraypaint you will be applying will hold better
once any smooth finish has been sanded.
Make Sure It Fits
This is a good time to make sure the bowl fits the candestick. Make sure you can screw the candle holder pieces together with the bowl in place.
Spraypaint Time
Make sure you're in a well-ventilated area and are working on a surface you don't mind getting some paint on.
Spray On A Few Coats
Cover the outside of the bowls with the spraypaint. Do one coat, let it dry for a few minutes, then do another coat to get a consistent metallic sheen.
Alchemy Accomplished
Voila! You've turned wood into metal.
Zen And The Art Of Watching Paint Dry
Give the paint 20 minutes or so to dry before you move on with assembly. Meditate until the fumes have dissipated.
Assembly
Screw the candlestick together with the bowls in place. You're ready to plant it up!
Planting
We used Supertunia® Honey Petunia and Sweet Caroline Raven Ipomoea. Try to use plants that will coordinate with the color of your candle.
