Make your own handles

My home was taken over today by staff of Woman & Home magazine. They are going to feature one of my console tables in the September issue. I am honoured to be chosen, but boy was it a tricky one.

 

If you read my posts on facebook you will see the one where I popped into my local Builders Warehouse last night, only to find out that they closed at 6:00 pm, and not 7:00 pm as advised on their website. Anyway, now I'm in a panic because I left everything to the last minute, thinking I could grab a couple of handles to pop on the table. Nada.

The photo shoot called for a console table that had butterfly-design handles, and I had originally said that wasn't possible. However, having decided to see if I could make them myself why not make them a butterfly design? I did one freehand drawing and then replicated this for a total of three handles.

It's fairly easy to cut 6mm SupaWood and I used my jigsaw and a thin wood blade. Starting from the outside, I cut in at various points along one side to remove large sections to gain access to inner areas. I tried to keep the board in one piece while cutting out all the fiddly bits - it's much easier to do it this way than try to cut a small piece.

With a Dremel MultiTool and drill bit, I drilled holes where I need to make cut outs.

This allowed me access for a cutting blade to remove the remaining 6mm PG Bison SupaWood.

I forgot to take a picture of where I used my Dremel MultiTool and carving bit to make small circular depressions in the surface of each butterfly - just for added effect.

Although you can't really see it here, I first spray the butterflies with Rust-Oleum Universal Metallic spray in oil-rubbed bronze, and again, ever so lightly with Rust-Oleum Universal Metallic spray in aged copper. This left a two-tone finish that looks identical to a bronze handle. To add a bit more detail I used a Rust-Oleum copper leafing pen to add a line around the outer edge of the butterfly.

For the handle itself I used a large eyelet bolt, which was sprayed in the same colours. I drilled a hole through the butterfly and drawer front to insert the eyelet bolt, and the nut is screwed on at the back of the drawer front.

The ladies from Woman & Home magazine were very impressed, and the fact that they didn't know it was a fake was good enough for me! So, the next time you need a unique handle and can't find one - make your own!