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November 29, 2011

Make It : Champagne Chairs

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Today Joel Henriques from the popular blog Made by Joel is a guest on The Martha Stewart Show showing Martha how two pieces of wood and a little bit of imagination can create a clever doll house for a kid.

While prepping for the segment, prop stylist Robert Diamond made a request for small things that could be used as decor. I instantly thought of my collection of champagne chairs that I have been making for many years to mark special occasions or occasions that are marked with champagne. Based on the classic designs of ice cream parlor chairs, they are quick to create, and a fun memento. And so I don't forget the event, I write a note on the bottom of the chairs with the date.

Since it was just Thanksgiving (a great moment to celebrate) I thought I would share my how-to for a heart back chair. I do this style often as a gift for friends when they get married. I save a wire cage from their wedding, and give it to them the next time I see them. Big Hit.

Back
1 of 12
Finish heart back chair

1 Finish heart back chair

Start with your saved wire cage from a bottle of champagne.

2 Start with your saved wire cage from a bottle of champagne.

Untwist or clip where the wire ends meet.

3 Untwist or clip where the wire ends meet.

Straighten out ends to remove from the

4 Straighten out ends to remove from the "legs".

Work out as many of the kinks in the wire as you can. If paint flakes off it can be touched up later.

5 Work out as many of the kinks in the wire as you can. If paint flakes off it can be touched up later.

Fold in middle, and make a V shape. you may need pliers

6 Fold in middle, and make a V shape. you may need pliers

Twist to create a loop.

7 Twist to create a loop.

Push twist down into the loop. Use your pliers if you need help forming your hear.

8 Push twist down into the loop. Use your pliers if you need help forming your hear.

Fold ends down around the heart shape to create the back of the chair.

9 Fold ends down around the heart shape to create the back of the chair.

Twist each end onto a leg.

10 Twist each end onto a leg.

A couple of wraps makes it secure.

11 A couple of wraps makes it secure.

Don't forget to note what the occasion was for the celebration!

12 Don't forget to note what the occasion was for the celebration!

Not feeling so confident with your pliers? I also really like how a chair can look when the wire is simply twisted to the legs, leaving the bends and twist that happen naturally to the wire when the bottle is being opened.

So now that the holidays are upon us, don't forget to save those wire cages! Great for a doll house, a book shelf as a reminder of a great event or even as Christmas tree ornaments, the variety you can come up with is only limited by your imagination.

Enjoy!

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Posted by on November 29, 2011 in Make It

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