This week I’m adding a dark & slithering spin to one of my Trash to Treasure projects…. a DIY Snake Cake Stand or Display Pedestal. Whether you’re already planning your Halloween dessert table or prefer a hint of darkness on every table… this snake is for you!
I actually bought all of the supplies for this project last year. I had good intentions to create the stand as part of a Halloween dessert table. Snakes are always a great addition to Halloween decor…. along with rats, bugs, spiders, birds…. the usual. But my original plan was to use the snake in its original color. I was planning to go for a creepy lifelike version. I pictured a snake, not just crawling along the table, but winding itself around the serving pieces….. I still think the idea is a good one depending on the theme of your Halloween decor… So, if a lifelike snake is more up your alley, skip the gold paint.
For me, my ideas and tastes change like the wind. The more I contemplated completing this project that I started so long ago, I realized that what was holding me back was that the lifelike snake, while a great Halloween prop, was limited to just that. I wanted to create something that I could use all year long instead. I have a fondness of black & gold serving pieces, so it didn’t take long for me to realize I would love this stand much more if the snake was gold. While no longer as realistic, it has a richness that I love.
Now.. you may already know that I have a thing for making cake stands… the Black & Gold Stand and the Black Beaded Fringe Stand were two early DIY projects I did. I have always loved the versatility a cake stand provides if you’re throwing a party and plan to put out a buffet of food. You really can serve anything you want on one of these… Candied Apples for instance… even candles! They easily fit any theme. And they make such a good use of space on the table!
Here’s the other thing I like most about cake stands….. while it is may be hard to find dark and decadent ones in the store… they are so easy to make!! All you need is a candlestick and a wooden plaque. I pick my candlesticks up at thrift stores. Because I use them for so many projects, I always buy them whenever I find them. For only a few dollars a piece.. it makes sense for me to collect an assortment. For this particular project, you’ll need to make sure the candlestick is wooden, because you will be tapping a nail into it.
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What you’ll need:
- Wooden Candlestick
- Round Wooden Plaque
- Black Paint
- E6000
- Spar Urethane
- Paint Brush
- Rubber Snake Toy
- Primer
- Gold Paint
- Polycrylic Spray
- Finishing Nails
- Tack Hammer
1. Clean and/or sand your candlestick in preparation for painting
2. Paint the wooden plaque and candlestick. The urethane I use to finish the top of the stand gives a glossy finish, so I use a black gloss paint on the entire project.
3. Using E6000 glue, attach the candlestick to the underside center of the plaque.
4. Allow to dry for 24 hours.
5. Brush the top of the stand with Spar Urethane.
My standard note about Spar Urethane….. After much research for a food safe sealant product for my serving trays and boards, I found research that suggests Spar Urethane is a good option. However, the finish is not considered food safe until it has completely cured. A general rule of thumb for full curing is about 30 days at room temperature. I cannot make claims about it’s 100% safety, so please make your own decisions about whether you are comfortable putting food directly onto the stand.
6. Paint the snake with a primer that bonds to rubber.
7. Allow to dry completely.
8. Paint gold. I used two different color gold spray paints, and intentionally left some areas of the snake’s original color exposed. I just thought it gave a slightly more realistic look despite being gold. I also touched the eye with black paint.
9. Because you are painting on rubber, some paints can stay a bit tacky. Spray the snake with a couple coats of Polycrylic to seal the paint.
10. Once dry, starting with the head of the snake, use the tack hammer to nail the snake into the wood top. Finishing nails are small enough that you should be able to drive the nail just below the surface of the snake. It may not be visible, but if it is, just add a touch of gold paint to cover it up.
11. Begin winding the snake around the top and base, and nail into place. This step may go a little quicker with two sets of hands!
That’s it!! Top with an eerie dessert and Enjoy!
This is GORGEOUS! Now I want to make one too. 🙂
Thanks Miranda!! you totally should! It’s so easy!
I need a gold rubber snake in my life! Another gorgeous make my love. Sue x
Thanks Sue!!!