Western General Store

  Candle lanterns are so popular and there are endless ways to decorate them. So, I thought, why not make one? Instead of the posts being square with the base, I decided to angle them 45 degrees. I went with the wood I had. The barn wood posts are 8 1/2" tall x 1" x 5/8". The cypress base is 6 9/16" x 5 5/8" x 3/4". The top piece consists of 2 pieces that are 3 11/16" x 1" x 3/4" and 2 pieces that are 6 9/16" x 1" x 3/4". After assembly, The Candle Lantern will be 10" tall. To make the top piece, I arranged the pieces on top of the base to keep them square. Glue, clamp and let dry overnight. A board was clamped to the table saw fence. Each post was glued on one end, placed on the base and against the 'fence board' and nailed. Blue tape was placed on each corner of the base to show exactly where each post should be placed on a diagonal. Glue was applied to the other end of each post and top piece was nailed on. I u...

Here's a way to use old stirrups in your home décor. I cut a 6 1/2" disc out of wood and rubbed on a coat of dark brown Briwax. I wrapped the stirrup leather around the wood and placed the stirrup and tea light on top. Gather several old stirrups from friends and family to create table center pieces for parties. You could also use a flameless candle. I sanded the disc and painted it aqua and white and added 3/4" silver Clavos  around the edge. Here's another old stirrup I've had for many years. I used a 5" cast iron Star in Rope  and the Leather Star Bracelet (No longer available) to connect it together. Stirrup Towel Holder