Let’s Create a Brass Candlestick from a Lamp!

If you love a project that is fast and simple but makes a big statement, this project is for you! Not only is it fast, but it’s also easy AND you only need a few supplies! I saw this idea on Instagram. Danelle (debanddanelle.com is her website) was sharing this project. Once I saw it, I couldn’t wait to get to the thrift store to search for a lamp!

Let’s find a brass lamp!

Is it REALLY brass?

*To determine whether or something is made of solid brass as opposed to brass colored metal, grab a magnet. If the magnet attaches to the lamp, it is not solid brass. A magnet will not attach to solid brass. Although I was confident that my lamp was solid brass, I did confirm that with a magnet. The magnet stuck to the harp but not to any part of the lamp itself.

Step 1 – Disassemble lamp

Now that I had my lamp, it was time to convert it into a candlestick! I removed the finial which is also solid brass (it is now on another lamp in the house) and the harp. I figured there would be a nut on the bottom of the lamp but it was covered with a piece of felt so I couldn’t tell. I removed the felt and there was no nut. Hmmm, how would I get the pieces to come apart?

With one hand close to the top and the other on the bottom piece, I started twisting. The pieces started to loosen but weren’t coming apart. I used wire cutters to remove the electrical cord and continued twisting. Still no luck. Finally, I figured out that I had to hold the light socket with one hand and the base with the other. Once I did that, the pieces came apart. *Turns out that I didn’t need to remove the felt after all. If you try this project, twist the lamp first to see if it will come apart. If not, then remove the covering on the base and look for a nut.

Step 2 – Clean & polish brass

Step 3 – Decide on the design

Now that the pieces were clean, it was time to create a candlestick. When I bought the lamp, I figured I’d only be able to use the bottom three pieces. Since I planned to use the circular piece as the very top one to hold a candle, I didn’t think that the piece above the circular piece would be able to be used. Once the lamp was taken apart, I found out that ALL of the brass pieces could be used! I stacked the 3 pieces on the base and arranged them a couple of different ways before settling on my design. I turned the circular piece upside down because, being indented, it would be a better surface to hold a candle.

Step 4 – Assemble candlestick & glue

Enjoy your creation!

I sat our new brass candlestick in our family room and places a flameless candle on top. It is SO pretty! I love using flameless candles because there is no live flame so no concern about fire. This candle comes in a set of three with a remote. They look like real candles with a flickering flame. The candlestick & candle give the family room a nice, cozy vibe!

Finished Brass Candlestick

Thoughts on the project

This project was SO much fun! Hunting for a brass lamp was fun, finding a solid brass lamp was thrilling, taking the lamp apart was easy. Rearranging the pieces was creative. Gluing the brass pieces back together was quick. Converting one item to make a different item was just so much fun! I hope you give this project a try! If you think you will, let me know in the Comment section below. 🙂

Candlestick: Before, during, after

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