I was shopping recently with my mom, Erika, and we ran across a beautiful red metal footed cake stand that I just loved. I prefer to buy vintage or handmade when I can, but this cake stand was new and mass produced.

So my shoulder devil started arguing with my shoulder angel, saying I should just go ahead and buy it. But then Mom’s voice cut through the clamor.

“You could make your own.”

So I gave it a try.

A Visit to the Thrift Stores

Originally, the plan was to use a metal candlestick for the base and the lid of a cookie tin for the platter. But I ran across a small metal flower pot at a thrift store. Used upside down, it would be a nice stable base for the cake stand. Price: 69 cents.

I wrote off the cookie tin lid idea after realizing that most are not big enough. So at a second thrift store, I found a round metal platter that would do nicely. Price: $2.39.

Painting the Cake Stand

I used two Rust-Oleum paints that I already had on hand.

For the base and for the top of the platter, I used Rust-Oleum Gold Rush Metallic. It has a vintage appeal and is the same spray paint that my husband, Chris, used when he spruced up the heat registers in our 1927 house.

For a little contrast, I used good old Rust-Oleum Satin Heirloom White to paint the underside of the platter. It’s same color I used to paint this hose basket for my greenhouse and this serving tray.

A little Super Glue held the two pieces together.

The Result

The cake stand looks nothing like the red one I originally fell in love with. But my Frankenstein monster cake stand is unique. And I can use it for many things: Cakes, cookies, appetizers. Elevated food stands really add a festive touch to a buffet table.