How to Make a Homemade Cake Stand

It's been several months since I promised a tutorial on how to make a homemade cake stand. I finally got around to doing it when I made a cake stand as a bridal shower gift for my friend E(L).

(Look away E(L) if you don't want to see how little I spent! Actually, we've been friends for so long I know she doesn't care about things like that. Besides, the cooking lesson is worth waaay more. :P)

Anyway, the plates were finally washed and the photos are somewhat styled so you should get a better idea of the possibilities. Think of how pretty afternoon tea can be!

This was the cake stand I made for E(L). I figured simplicity was best so I chose a plate with silver trim and silver leaves on the inside rim. Glued onto a glass candlestick.


The cake stand was modeled with banana caramel cupcakes made by lil' sis.


Let's get started shall we? How to make a homemade cake stand for less than $1 (or $3 if you're not as good a bargain-hunter :P .)

How to Make a Homemade Cake Stand
Inspired by Design*Sponge

You'll need:
Candlesticks and/or heavy glasses or goblets
Plates
Epoxy, industrial-strength adhesive
Books, cans, or anything heavy to weigh the plate down
Ruler or measuring tape

I hit up the Salvation Army Thrift Store during one of its 50% off store-wide clearance sales and scored the candlesticks and glasses below for about 45 to 60 cents. Upturn the glasses and make sure they're straight and solid so they can hold up a plate and food. Obviously, wine glasses or similarly thin goblets would not be suitable. The plates ranged from 45 cents to $1.74 (that would be for the fancy Limoges).


Epoxy is an industrial-strength adhesive that can be found at most hardware or craft stores. I bought mine at Jo-Ann for about $4. Make sure it's the invisible, transparent kind.

A measuring tape will help you make sure the plate is centered on the stand.

And you'll need heavy stuff to weigh it down.

Then it's a simple matter of applying the adhesive to the candlestick and putting it on the plate. The glue won't stick right away, so you have time to measure the distance between the candlestick and the plate to make sure it's centered. Epoxy can be toxic, so make sure you're in a well-ventilated area and that you're not gluing a surface that will touch food.


Then carefully flip the cake stand over. I added tuna cans to evenly distribute the weight. Then a few books on top of that. Then my cast iron enameled tomato pot. Probably excessive, but I wanted to make sure it stuck.


Leave overnight to make sure the glue sets.

And you get this.

Ooh. Ahh.


Of course, the trick to making a nice homemade cake stand is choosing just the right candlestick or glass to go with the right plate. Also, make sure you scrub every last bit of candle wax from the inside rim of the candlestick.

The view from on top.


Of course, there are endless combinations.


So let's look at some of them, shall we?

A smaller plate with shorter candlestick.


Perfect for mini cupcakes or cupcake balls. This combo was 90 cents, 45 cents for each.


A heavy glass goblet to support a heavy glass plate. This one cost a little more than $2, mainly for the plate.


A short vintage goblet for a slightly smaller plate.


The plate cost $1.74 but it was Limoges. Funny thing. At the thrift store, the goblet was quite yellowed, which I thought fit well with the plate since it made the whole cake stand look vintage. Turned out, the glass just needed a good wash.


I still think it's a pretty combo.


A more typical goblet, but quite heavy and sturdy.


Which I paired with this awesome Chicago souvenir plate that cost $1.74.


There's the cake stand in its entirety.


And styled with leftover store-bought cookies. (I didn't buy the cookies mom! They were a gift and I obviously didn't eat the sweets since they're still all on the plate. OK, OK. I ate one, but only one! :P )


Cupcakes were courtesy of E(L)'s bridal shower.


Now, don't you want to rush out and make some too?

Oh yeah, and while epoxy is very strong, hand wash the cake stand just to make sure it lasts. Although, Lan of Angry Asian Creations used a glue gun and said she had no problem with hers.

And if a single cake stand isn't enough for you, I also have a post on How to Make a Homemade 2-Tiered Cupcake Stand or How to Make a Homemade 3-Tier Cupcake Stand.

Other craft projects can be found on my quilting page. Ha! Yeah, I know. Random.

If you'd like to purchase these handcrafted cake stands, check out my Wandering Chopsticks Etsy Shop.

*****
1 year ago today, Banh Mi Thit Kho Trung (Vietnamese Braised Pork and Eggs Sandwich).
2 years ago today, spicy Sichuan cuisine at Chung King Restaurant - San Gabriel.
3 years ago today, one of my most popular recipes, Bo Luc Lac (Vietnamese Shaking Beef).