Use Leftover Bits and Pieces to Craft a Heart Spindle

I pretty much save all my scraps and leftover bits from other projects. You never know when inspiration will hit and a scrap will be the perfect piece to a crafting puzzle. At least that's what I tell my husband. I have accumulated chairs, headboards and shelves in a variety of shapes and conditions. Some are just parts of a whole piece. I use these parts to create new things, sometimes marrying several parts to create one beautiful item. I ALWAYS seem to have leftovers of one sort or another.

Spindle ends are just one of the cool scraps I can never bring myself to throw away. Their simplicity seems so chic. Make a heart spindle decoration for a book shelf, table of doodads or counter top arrangement. Use the instructions I provide using recycled scraps of leftovers you already own. They make wonderful craft show items and last-minute gifts for family and friends.

Just a quick note about the spindle. The piece I used was from the top of a headboard. It had a rounded top. A flat or cut top would also work well for this project.

Things You Will Need:

Spindle-approximately 4 inches tall
Ruler
Miter saw
Sandpaper
Scrap wood, 1/2-inch thick
Pencil
Jigsaw
Electric bench sander
Drill and 1/8-inch bit
Acrylic paint
Paintbrush
Hanger
Wire cutters
Scrap of fabric

Step 1
Measure and mark the spindle approximately 4 inches long. This is the stage for your heart, so use the top of a spindle or a section of a spindle with a nice shape. Cut the section using a miter saw. Sand the spindle piece to remove any rough spots and splintered edges.

Step 2
Freehand-sketch an elongated heart onto a scrap of 1/2-inch thick wood. The heart's dimensions are approximately 2 inches wide at the top and 4 1/2 inches long. Perfection is not necessary. If it is lopsided, it will only add to it's appeal.

Step 3
Cut out the heart shape using a jigsaw. Sand the edges of the heart to resemble knife whittling marks by using an electric bench sander. Sand the surface of the heart by hand.

Step 4
Drill a hole an inch into the top center of the spindle and an inch up through the point of the heart.

Step 5
Paint the spindle and the heart in any color you desire. I chose two different shades of a dusty green acrylic paint. One color for each piece. Allow the paint to dry. Sand the edges and surface of both painted pieces to give the appearance of wear and age.

Step 6
Cut a straight 5-inch section of wire from a wire clothes hanger. Apply craft glue to one end of the wire and insert it into the hole on top of the spindle. Apply craft glue to the other end of the wire and insert it into the bottom of the heart.

Step 7
Rip a 1/2-inch wide by 4-inch long strip of fabric scrap. Tie the strip around the wire, below the point of the heart.