How many times have I found something interesting at a thrift store…brought it home…repurposed it for my blog…and then realized I didn’t know what to call it? I’ll answer that for you- LOTS AND LOTS OF TIMES. And so we have this thrift store find: a wooden candle stand or perhaps a wooden candelabra. Regardless of proper name, though, I knew right away I wanted it to become a ribbon organizer.
For whatever reason, the wooden candlesticks themselves reminded me of spindles. Thinking of spindles made me think of bobbins, which in turn made me think of vintage ribbon and lace ribbon.
Now, I *have* upcycled items from the thrift store into ribbon holders before. Remember this countertop wine bottle holder project?
But for this new one, I drew up a romantic vision in my head of a ribbon organizer for my messy collection of lace and trim. BUT, I also wanted it to spin.
So, I needed to transform it into a Lazy Susan- something I had never done before.
This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. All blue, bold, and underlined text is a clickable link, either to a product or to a related post.
Turning a Wooden Candelabra into a Lazy Susan
First, I went to a craft store and purchased a wooden oval plaque that was slightly smaller than my candlestick base. Then, I purchased a Lazy Susan bearing or lazy Susan hardware.
Next, I stained the oval plaque (i.e., the lazy Susan base) to decently match the wooden candelabra. It wasn’t going to be a perfect match, but close enough for my craft room!
After I sealed the stain, I attached the lazy Susan hardware to both the wooden candelabra and the base. Here is a YouTube video tutorial on attaching the Lazy Susan hardware.
A close up of the hardware between the candelabra and the base:
And that was it! Now the wooden candelabra was ready to be upcycled into a ribbon organizer.
Ribbon Organizer for My Craft Room
Now all I needed to do was wind my vintage ribbon and lace ribbon around the wooden candle stand. First, though, I wrapped a few rubber bands on the candlesticks to help the ribbon stay put.
If you ever shop at Whole Foods, then you’ll recognize my collection of green bands!
Then, I simply wound some lace ribbon (from my grandmother’s stash) around the stick and carefully pinned it in place.
I continued to wrap my vintage ribbon around each of the candlesticks until each one was covered.
It really worked brilliantly as a ribbon organizer or ribbon storage!
How fun is that?! Much better than wadding up snippets of lace ribbon and trim in a baggie or box. And it spins- smooth as butter!
Ribbon Organizer from a Wooden Candelabra
Well, after nearly 4 years of keeping this as is, I recently decided to switch it up! I removed the lazy Susan hardware (salvaging it for a new project) AND I painted the wooden candlesticks with white paint.
How cool is that?? It’s so pretty that I use it as both ribbon storage AND decor.
AND I’m pretty sure I’m going to turn other things into Lazy Susans while I’m at it. What can I say? This project has my mind a-spinning…
If you enjoyed this upcycling idea for ribbon storage on a wooden candelabra, then you may also be interested in this jewelry tree from a silver one!
And for even more repurposing ideas for craft storage, this organization is full of inspiration!
Craft on!
S
Want to be notified when I publish my next upcycling project tutorial?
Join me on Social Media:
PIN ME!
Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
I thought ya was gonna ‘shabby-tique’ it, which would have been awesome too. I still like it as a candlehabra *snork* with a chalk paint finish. But of course, ya went with something I would totally not think of and once again, genius! I’m thinking of all the lace I’ve got out in my barn/crafts & exercise laundry room, scattered hither and yon and I have to have a major hunting expedition to find what I want…now where in the heckalicious universe am I gonna find one of them thar candlehabras? Or reasonable facsimile? I’ve never seen one of those and I was most likely around when the original was produced. With longer hair and less body fat. Me, not the candlehabra. Never mind, I’m gonna just go and take my meds : )
LOL you always crack me up, Denise!! 😀
Now that IS cool! I have lace bundled in bags and can never find what I want….thrift shop…here I come!!!
Thank you!
That is certainly an unusual item. I would say send photo of it, all areas, top bottom, sides to Country Living where they let you know what it is, what it’s worth if anything. Or take it to reliable knowledgeable antique dealer. See what they say, could take while if you send to Country Living to get any info back. Your item might get featured in “what’s it worth” section of zine. What have you got to lose?
I’m old (75) but don’t remember seeing anything like this before. It’s in really good condition. We used to go antiquing alot in different states where we lived and as we’d come to antique stores on road when hubs a trucker. Good luck
Great idea using it for lace holder/organizer. Happy week
Thanks so much! I’ve never seen anything like it either- definitely unique!!
Great storage idea! As always, super creative. Visiting from Two Uses Tuesday link party.
You will not believe but I was going crazy today thinking about how to sort out my lace and ribbon stash. what a brilliant idea, absolutely love it and it looks gorgeous too !! Thank you for sharing with OMHG Wonderful Wednesday, co-host Evija x
That is so stinkin’ clever!! makes me want to go out and buy a bunch of wooden candlesticks to make one myself! The rubberband trick to keep things from sliding? Genius! I wouldn’t have thought of that!
What a great tool to show off your collection of pretty laces.
Debra
Thanks, Debra!!
Sarah, You amaze me every single week. So clever! What a fantastic way to store lace and ribbons! Thank you for sharing with us this week at Brag About It. Pinned (check), tweeted (check). Have a great week!
~Laurie
Thank you so much, Laurie!!
This is probably one of the most unique uses of ‘found’ stuff I have ever seen…my mind is ticking to think of what to do with the actual candle holes…? Great look, Thanks, Sandi
Thanks, Sandi!!
love your idea
Thank you, Janice!
Wha a really great repurpose Sarah! I didn’t even know they made lazy susan thingies!
Right??? Such a fun discovery for sure!!
What a neat idea!
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Hmmm, its pretty unlikely that I’d ever stumble on that ….whatever it is! Still, this is a great inspiration and I am thrilled to learn about the lazy susan bearing. The possibilities are limitless! Thanks for posting this!
RIGHT?? If you use the bearing on anything, look up a tutorial on YouTube- it’s actually pretty easy to do, but there is a trick to it.
pretty creative and organized all my favorite things. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop. xo
Thank you, Katie!
Visiting from #MERRYMONDAY and shared to FB this morning!
So cute with the spindles!!
Have a great week, Karren,Oh My Heartsie GIrl
Thanks so much, Karren!!
Very clever idea! As I looked at it I wondered how I could turn this into a stand to display cupcakes. Thanks for getting the old wheels turning and for sharing this at Celebrate Your Story!
Looks pretty! Pinning 🙂
Adorable! Thanks for sharing a Merry Monday!
Thanks, Dee!
I have never seen one either but need one so will attempt to make one.
We are always impressed with your creativity at Merry Monday and this is no exception! Love it and I know it adds so much character to the craft room too!
Awww, thank you so much!
Dear Sarah, this is just beautiful with a capital B. I’ve missed you at Five Star Frou-Frou? Will you join us this week? Love, Mimi xxx
You turned a very unique item into a wonderful organizational tool. I love it. Great tutorial too! Thank you for sharing at Vintage Charm.
I love this idea! Who knew there was a lazy susan bearing?!! Thanks for sharing this with us on Throwback Thursday!
Mollie
Right??? MAKE EVERYTHING A LAZY SUSAN NOW! 😉
lol!
Not sure what to call it, but you certainly did a fabulous job of re-purposing it. Love it. Talk about one of a kind!!
Hugs,
Bev
Thanks, Beverly!!
I think I would still have been in the thrift store staring at it, trying to figure out what to do with it. I feel like sometimes my imagination is on vacation…on a different planet. You never cease to amaze me with the ideas you come up with. You certainly up-cycled this into a very useful tool. Thank you so much for coming by and sharing at Celebrate Your Story! I hope we see you again this week.
Thank you so much!!!
awwww. this is soooooooo cute and shabby-chic
Thank you!
What could you use the candle holder spot for? Seems like there should be something…love it though!
I agree!!! But I couldn’t think of anything in time. I suppose I could make dainty, dainty pin cushions in each! 😉
Sadie,
You have such a talent for creating the most beautiful objects and treasures!
Of course I just had to pin this!
Thank you oodles for joining us at TOHOT!
Jemma
Thank you so much, Jemma!
Another fantastic idea Sarah, you really aren’t short of those, hey? 😉 I dont’ know what I’d call that candle holder, but you really made a super fun, pretty and functional piece out of it! The laces look so nice with the dark colour of the wood!
Thanks so much, Katrin!
Very chic!
I would so love to find one of these!