(More pics and different candlestick styles at
http://www.sisteroo.com/2012/12/diy-industrial-candlesticks.html.
1. Pick up an assortment of large, medium, and small hex nuts from your local hardware store, with one small tapered hex nut for the top of each candlestick (Large = 1" Medium = 7/8" Small = 3/4"). While you're still in the store, stack the nuts on top of each other from largest to smallest (or alternating large-medium-large-medium-small-medium-small-etc.) to make sure you have the sizes and candlestick height you prefer.
2. Purchase a wooden dowel that fits through the smallest hex nut snugly (it will be loose on the largest hex nut, but you will remedy this shortly). Cut to size by threading the nuts on the dowel and cutting 1/2" below the top edge of the last nut (you need to leave room in the top nut for your candle).
3. Prepare a simple paper mache (one part water, two parts glue, one part shredded newspaper) or purchase a light drying dough (e.g. Fimo Air).
4. Place a dab of strong glue (I used E6000. Gorilla Glue or another strong, slow drying glue should work fine) on the bottom 1" portion of the wooden dowel, and thread the largest nut down onto the base. Fill the space between the dowel and the nut with the lightweight paper mache or Fimo Air. The nut should be firmly wedged around the wooden dowel.
5. Place glue along the top edge of the threaded nut and on the next 1" portion of the dowel. Thread the next nut on the dowel and press firmly on the nut below. Repeat the paper mache/clay stuffing in the space between the nut and the dowel (you will need to stuff less and less as you move to the smaller nuts). Once you are finished stacking and gluing all of the nuts, let dry several hours.
6. You may prefer your candlesticks in their original silver. To add a little color, spray your candlesticks with in the color of your choice, and then finish with a coat of high gloss spray. I used Rustoleum Enamel for the red candlesticks and Krylon Metallic for the gold and silver candlesticks.
7. For added bling, use a glue gun to affix round gemstones or other fun objects on alternating hex nut levels.
8. Finish your candlesticks off with some taper candles--I was able to fit regular 10" tapers in my candlesticks (you can whittle the candles down with a knife or melt the ends with a match for a minute if the fit is too snug).
(More pics and different candlestick styles at
http://www.sisteroo.com/2012/12/diy-industrial-candlesticks.html.
