This cupcake stand can match any party decor! With just a few supplies from the home store, you can make a cupcake stand with plastic plates.  The best part is that it easily comes apart and can be stored flat. There is also another bonus.  This project uses inexpensive plastic plates. You can even use bowls.  For sure this is an easy way to make a tiered serving tray that can easily be interchanged with different plastic plates and bowls.

how to make a cake stand

The supplies for this project can be found at home improvement stores (like Lowe’s). The plastic plates are from Target. I also found some cool plastic plates at a local thrift store.

Supplies for Cupcake Stand

  • 2 plastic plates
  • one knob that fits a threaded rod
  • 1 – 1/2″ X 3′ round aluminum tube (there are cool square ones too!)
  • 1 – #8-32 X 3′ threaded rod
  • 1 package of #8-32 X 1  1/4 combo round w/nut (or one nut to fit the end of the threaded rod)
  • 2 rubber washers 3/16″ X 1/2″ X 1/16″
  • 11/64″ drill bit
  • fine sandpaper
  • (we did not end up using the #10 flat zinc washers)

You will have plenty of supplies left over. These would make great gifts!

How to make a cupcake stand step by step

Cut aluminum tube with a saw, making sure cut is level. You will need a 6″ length and 3″ length (these can be adjusted to your own needs)

Cut threaded rod into a 9 1/2″ length

Lightly sand aluminum tubes to make surface even and remove imperfections

Drill hole in the center of two plastic plates. It worked best to place masking tape where the hole needed to be drilled and drill from the front.

Put 9 1/2″ threaded rod through the bottom plate and put a nut underneath the plate.

Next place rubber washer on top of the bottom plate, place 6″ aluminum tube around the threaded rod.

Place next plate, a rubber washer, 3″ aluminum piece and then screw knob tightly to the top. The pieces can be easily removed and interchanged with other plastic plates to fit any party theme or color scheme!

cupcake stand

 

If you a cake to display along with your cupcakes here is an easy way to make a wooden cake stand.  It would also be a great cupcake stand.

How to make a Cake Stand

how to make a cake stand

 


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Comments

  1. What makes this idea so genius is that it can be unscrewed, taken apart and stored flat! Just genius! I live in a condo that has a dinky little kitchen and very little storage and I’m put off from buying cute serving ware like this because I have nowhere to put it. This is a fabulous solution and I love that it can also be interchangeable. I will definitely be trying this one 🙂 So crafty!

  2. Fabulous idea, and so simple! Love that you can change up the plates. Maybe one design for each season?

    One question – is it level? With the nut on the bottom of the plate, how do you keep it from wobbling?

  3. Wow! Love this idea! I’ve been wanting a fun tiered stand for tea parties with my girlies and this is the PERFECT SOLUTION! Not only that, but now I can easily and cheaply change out the plates so we can enjoy different ones for different seasons. Thank you so much for sharing!!

  4. Love this! Am so excited, Christmas presents here I come!! And an excuse to go yard saleing!! Always a good thing. My dh’s boss had him buy a drill bit for ceramics when I needed a planter drilled out. So can use “real” plates. Off to print this off. Thank you so much for sharing!!!!

  5. Thank you so much! I need cupcake stands for the center pieces at my wedding and they are SO expensive to buy or rent. This is perfect for us!!

  6. This is great! I loved those plates at Target, and have been wanting a cupcake/treat stand for a while – how much were all these supplies in total??

  7. Super cute! Thanks so much for sharing!! I made one tonight and am overall happy. My plate doesn’t have a large enough lip, so we’re going to try rubber feet to help balance it out. Still practicing screwing it all together to make it straight and not leaning. I think I just need to get the hang of centering the washer and the pole. 😉

  8. Great minds think alike because I just got the tools to do this a couple of weeks ago with some clearance trays from Michaels. But I didn’t think about the aluminum tubing. Glad I found this tutorial before I started. Thank you so much for sharing. I LOVE IT and I’m obsessed with tiered trays so I’ll be making lots of these!

  9. What a great idea! I’ve been looking for a cupcake stand for a while, but this one sounds pretty easy to make and I can custom design it.

    Thanks for sharing!

  10. I love the fact that now your favourite dishes can be turned into something with the “wow” factor!

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