DIY Cupcake Towers! (Dollar Tree Finds)

I recently finished a DIY project that I am so proud of! These adorable CUPCAKE TOWERS! :D

I originally wanted to buy some but realized that cupcake towers weren't very cheap...but you know what is? The Dollar Tree! Yup! That's right! Each one of these towers only cost ~$5 (+ cost of paint brushes if needed, paint and some heavy duty craft glue) I created these 2 towers for a friend's baby shower and when we are done using them, I will repaint them so I can use them for my son's first birthday party (still a while away) and any other occasion where these little cuties can be used!   First, what you will need to make ONE tower: -*3 silver plates (The Dollar Tree)--they have all different shapes--Round, square, and oval plates. I used 3 round plates. -*2 candle sticks (Also, The Dollar Tree) -*paint. (Spray paint is the best so you don't see any brush strokes but in my case, I used 1 can of spray paint for 6 plates and ran out before I could finish the last 2 plates so I ended up painting over them! lol I ended up using acrylic paint from Michaels. One in "vanilla" for the plates and one in "light pink" for the candle sticks--2 fl. oz. each) -*heavy duty craft glue. (I used E-6000) -*a medium sized paint brush -*pencil -*ruler or tape measure ...don't forget to lay down some newspaper while you paint (outside!!!)   Once you have all your items, make sure they are all cleaned and get started on painting! I started painting the plates first. (Remember, I have double the plates and candlesticks because I was making TWO towers.)

Then, get started on painting the candlesticks. You don't need to worry too much about painting the "inside" parts of the candlesticks because this part won't be seen when they are attached to the plates. 

Once, all the plates are painted (front & back) as well as the candlesticks and they are all dried, here comes the fun part! Measuring & gluing!! This is actually the trickiest part because you want to get everything centered as much as possible. Here's what I did to make it a little easier. First, take 1 plate and 1 candlestick. Place the WIDEST (base) part of the candlestick on the BOTTOM of a plate (this is so that you get more "serving space" on the plate when using the smallest part of candlestick on the top of other plates...you will see what I mean :)
Then, I took my tape measure and measure the candlestick to the center of the plate. For the plates I was using, it was 2" around (from the candlestick to the edge of the inside part of the plate).
Once I got the candlestick to the center with 2" measured all around, I took my pencil and traced the candlestick to the plate.
Then, take your craft glue and put it around the candlestick where you will attach it to your plate. Proceed to place the candlestick on the plate where you traced. Press firmly and let dry. (If there's any oozing, take a warm damp cloth to wipe off)   You can do this same step with your other plate as well. *Remember, the WIDEST part of the candlestick on the BOTTOM of the plate...so you end up with 2 plates, each with a candlestick on the bottom of each. Your third plate will serve as the base of the tower (so leave it set aside for now).   Once the candlesticks are dry and stuck to the plates, stack one of the plates (the top of the plate) to the narrowest side of a candlestick. Use the same steps to measure it to the center as we did for the widest/base part of the candlestick to the bottom of the plates. (So, you will have a plate on the bottom, then candlestick, then plate, then  candlestick)   I didn't take a picture of this part so I tried to edit this photo to sort of show you... Sorry it's really bad! lol Then, it's time to place the last plate! Place the TOP of the third plate to the narrowest part of the last candlestick, measure to center, trace, glue, press firmly, let dry, and turn it all right side up!   Viola! You are done!!!

Now, these cupcake towers aren't for food DIRECTLY on the plates! If you plan on putting food on them, remember to use cupcake liners, napkins, or doilies, etc.!   You can also use these towers for jewlery, bath necessities, etc. Look at some of these other great ideas for cupcake towers! :)  credit credit credit   Have any questions? Ask away! Let the DIY fun begin!   {Have a BEAUTIFUL day!}