Repurposed dishes = DIY cake stands

This one was my friend Kristi’s idea. While window shopping one day last spring, we saw a glass cake stand in a jewelry store window. She said, “You could make one of those.” I spent the next couple weeks scouring thrift stores for plates, candlesticks, vases — anything I could find to make a cake stand. As you can see, I couldn’t stop with just one. (This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, I may earn a small commission. You can read my full disclosure here.)

Plates, vases, candlesticks, etc., photo

How to make cake stands

SUPPLIES & TOOLS

plate
vase, pedestal bowl, candlestick, etc. (look for a wide base and a flat top)
Loctite glass glue
rag or paper towels

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Clean and dry both dishes well. Find the center of the plate. Mark the spot if you need to. Apply a thin coat of glue along the edge of the top of your base. Don’t touch the glue with your bare hands. Note: I originally tried Elmer’s epoxy cement, but Loctite glass glue worked better for this project.

2. Turn the base upside down, and place it in the center of the bottom of the plate. Work quickly but carefully because the glue dries fast. Wipe off the excess with a rag.

Place heavy books on the cake stands while they dry, photo

3. This is where Harry Potter comes in handy. Place a heavy book on top to hold the base down. Let dry overnight. These cake stands are supposed to be dishwasher safe, but I haven’t tested that yet.

Crafty Nest repurposed cake stands Pinterest photo

Reader Gallery

Made this project? Email your photo(s) to monica (at) craftynest (dot) com, and I’ll share your version here!

Cat from Ride Cat, Ride! made this pedestal from “$3.98 worth of GW glass + epoxy.”

Ariane C. Smith made eleven cake plates for her wedding. She used them as centerpieces on each table and placed cupcakes on them. These are her first batch.

Carrie at This Mama Makes Stuff made these little cupcake stands out of thrifted materials. She already used them for two birthday celebrations.

Brittany from Pretty Handy Girl made this cake stand and yummy-looking cheesecake. She wrote, “I remember seeing your adorable cake stands a while ago, and when I saw a striped candlestick at a yard sale, I snatched it up knowing I could do something similar.”