DIY Log Candlesticks

This summer, one of our neighbors cut down a beautiful Black Walnut tree. They sold the tree to a wood company, because they hated the nuts and black walnut is worth some cash. The tree company that dropped it and took it left behind a big old pile of branches that have just been sitting there since. I looked at that pile often….. and then one day it hit me! Instead of letting that wonderful wood waste away, I was going to make something out of at least one of those beautiful branches!

So after looking over the now weed infested jumble of branches, I picked out a nice sized one (easy to carry and work with) and marched it home. My kids thought I had lost my mind when they spotted it, but I couldn’t wait to get out my miter saw and break the branch down into usable pieces. My first thought was making those wooden disks that are all the rage these days. You know, the over priced ones you can buy at the craft stores or on Etsy.

As I was working my way along the log making disks for another project, (or two or three) I came to a slightly bent section of the branch missing some bark. It was so unique and beautiful that I made three varying size lengths to turn into candlestick.

Of course my children looked at me like I had lost my ever loving mind at that point because they just couldn’t see rustic log candlesticks. They just didn’t get how I was going to make this branch into candlesticks, even after I tried to explain it to them. No imagination, none. They must take after their father…..

After I finished cutting up the reaming branch into disks, I set to work to turn my mini log pieces into candle sticks. I started with a 1” spade drill bit only to quickly realize a tea candle was bigger than that and would never fit in the candlesticks. *sigh* So, I started drilling again, this time with a 1 ½” spade bit. Bingo! Perfect fit for a tea light candle!

Unfortunately in my haste (I was super excited) to make these log candlesticks, I may not have followed proper safety protocol. May I suggest, that unlike myself, you use a vice grip to hold your log pieces as you drill them out. I was all crazy woman, holding the pieces in my hand (very tightly, because boy did they want to fly out) and as one of the pieces wiggled, I might have pinched my pinky finger between the wood rail of my porch and the log piece.  It has been a very long time since I have had a blood blister. *pout* The pain is gone but I am still sporting an ugly pinky and probably will for some time.

Now I’m not one to brag, but I think these turned out awesome. I love how you can see the texture and beauty of not only the wood, but it’s imperfections in the bark. That is what you call character, folks. And when the light is dimmed and the candles are lite…..

I know a few people who would really love these as gifts this Christmas. Guess I better head back over to the branch pile, because this set is mine! Good thing these log candlesticks are so stinking simple to make. Simply cut, drill, and done!

42 thoughts on “DIY Log Candlesticks

  1. LOVE it Mindie! That's a hard core saw you have there too! Great post. I'm going to make some of these.

    1. I do love my power tools! LOL And just so you know… all the tools in this house belong to me 🙂 I might let hubby play with them but they are mine!

  2. How pretty – I love that it's a decoration you can display all year long. Thanks for sharing at Over the Moon.

  3. Holy crap, these are amazing! So I love your blog. I just found you this morning and now I like link parties again. For today.
    Oh and sorry about your splinter. 🙁

  4. Your poor finger! Lol these are so rustic and cozy feeling. Love it! Thanks for sharing on #TurnItUpTuesday

  5. My husband and I made these last year from pecan tree branches in our yard for a gift, they turned out beautiful, so easy and fun to make and I love that it is using what God supplied!

    1. They are so easy to make, aren't they. I hope lots of folks make themselves some. They are just so dang pretty.

  6. Ouch, praying your hand is doing better! These are beautiful. They would be perfect to decorate our home in the woods. 🙂

    1. That dang blood blister is now a black mark on my pinkie but at least it no longer hurt 🙂

  7. Very cool! We had several trees taken down near the end of the summer. I should totally try some of these because they look neat and I like doing wood projects. 🙂

    1. They will be all the rage this year. I showed my project to a few friends and guess what they are making?!?! LOL I even had on friend raid my branch pile!

  8. Wow…these are so cute!

    I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

  9. I've seen these in shops and loved them – but wow were they expensive. Now I can make my own (Or, well, get my husband to do part of it! LOL) – Thanks for sharing on the Pleasures of the NW's DIY Party!

    1. It is amazing how easy and simple they are to make. They so should not be expensive. Well at least you can make your own now!

  10. I'm sorry you hurt your finger – but I can totally identify with getting so excited about making something that that sort of thing happens, Mindie! This is such a lovely way to use black walnut – your DIY log candlesticks look so beautiful. Thank you for sharing with us at Hearth and Soul. Sharing on our Hearth and Soul Facebook page.

  11. Now I need to go buy power tools ha! Thanks for sharing, and for being on the Homestead Blog Hop! Hope to see you next Wednesday!

  12. One year, I nearly cut my entire hand off, being, as you said, not so safe and using safety common sense! My family was away, and I wanted to make a nice frame for an oil painting I had done for my dad. So I got my husbands miter saw out (he was a contractor and had tons of specialty power tools!!!) It was in a corner of the garage, and instead of towing it out, I just did it by leaning over …heck, the piece of base was so long, and that was the problem. As I made the cut, it jerked out of my hand, and fortunately, all I got was an inch long cut from the outside of my left hand at the pinkie angling down toward my wrist. To the bone. I nearly passed out, had it continued, my hand would have been a nice triangle from my pinkie to my wrist. AND I'm left handed!!!
    So yes, PLEASE ALWAYS use caution and all of the safety protocol EVERY time!
    Carol L

    1. Yes, I new the minute I started to drill that I should have clamped it. Lucky I am only left with a black mark on my pinkie, that hopeful will go away, someday!

  13. These are so beautiful! I almost want to go find a tree I can rescue from some of it's branches to make something similar. Thanks for sharing on the Waste Less Wednesday Blog Hop!

  14. I would have loved to have thought to salvage some branches to do this when we lost a tree a couple years ago – thanks for sharing with Party in Your PJs!

  15. These are fabulous! My husband and I can definitely team up and make this happen! Thank you!
    #SaturdaySparks

  16. So beautiful! I love them. I also love your blog's new look. 🙂
    Thanks for sharing on the Homestead Blog Hop. I hope we see you again this Wednesday.

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