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Build a Cupcake Tower

CrafterBerly by CrafterBerly

Build and decorate a custom cupcake tower

Instead of making a cake for a friend's baby shower, I chose to go with cupcakes. With all the other projects I had going on I was simply running out of time and needed a little help from my local bakery. Plus cupcakes make serving simple. But just because there was no cake didn't mean there was no presentation. At the last minute I decided to build a cupcake tower.

What to use, what to use...a box, some cardboard, some cans of soup, check. In about half an hour (sans photography time), I had a cute and functional cupcake tower to add a little jazz to the food table.

I'm no entertainer, but if I can build this, so can you!

The Cupcakes 

A few tools you'll want

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First, gather your supplies

I had everything I needed to get started

Here I have a photo of the supplies I initially gathered for this project.

I have:

* a box to act as the base
* cardboard for the tiers
* paper to cover the box and tiers
* full, unopened soup cans for the stem
* tacky spray, but you can use tape, a glue stick, or the glue gun
* a glue gun
* Provo Craft's Terrifically Tacky tape which I LOVE
* sharp scissors
* a circle cutter (which I actually didn't use for this particular tower)
* ribbon

I also ended up using:
* a straight ruler
* a compass with pencil
* double-sided tape

A closer look at my supplies

Any type of permanent tacky spray adhesive will make this project go a lot faster.

Any type of permanent tacky spray adhesive will make this project go a lot faster.

Any type of permanent tacky spray adhesive will make this project go a lot faster.
I LOVE Provo's Terifically Tacky Tape. I use it everywhere.
I got this gift ribbon at a charity resale shop for a few cents. I'll use it to embellish the tower.
I got this box at a resale shop too. It was originally part of a perfume gift pack.
A sample of some of the paper I'll use.
More paper I've selected.
A compass was used to draw a circle on the cardboard for round tiers.

Building the tower

I started with a variety of boxes, soup cans (full cans, for weight), and cardboard sheets, and narrowed it down to this design.

I started with a variety of boxes, soup cans (full cans, for weight), and cardboard sheets, and narrowed it down to this design.

I started with a variety of boxes, soup cans (full cans, for weight), and cardboard sheets, and narrowed it down to this design.
I used a compass to draw circles on two pieces of cardboard and cut them out for round tiers.
A little bit of repositioning and voila! A cute cupcake tower framework. Now let's add some bling.

Decorating the base

Measure the size of your base.

Measure the size of your base.

Measure the size of your base.
Cut a piece of scrapbooking paper to fit. If your base is longer or wider than 12", you might need two pieces.
Measure and cut paper to cover the sides
Use the spray adhesive to adhere the paper.
Use the spray adhesive to adhere the paper.
Carefully smooth out the paper and let dry thoroughly so moving the base doesn't shift the paper off center.
A perfectly decorated base!

Decorating the tiers

I'm working outside so I don't get spray adhesive everywhere.

I'm working outside so I don't get spray adhesive everywhere.

I'm working outside so I don't get spray adhesive everywhere.
First I sprayed the top of each circle and stuck them to the back side of the paper I'm using as a cover. It's a good idea to "dry fit" these first, so you know the paper is big enough.
Once the adhesive is dry, cut the paper away from the cardboard discs.
Those are some cute tiers! But wait...there's more...
Measure the height of your can or dowel and cut a piece of paper to fit.
Use the Terrifically Tacky tape along the very edge of the paper to ensure a good seal.
Roll the paper around the can...
...and position it before you seal it.
I'm adding ribbon to the bottom of the can, so this barcode edge won't show.
Two perfectly wrapped posts!

The Finished Tower! 

What did you think?

  • kathysart Jan 22, 2012 @ 11:14 am | delete
    Major FUN!! It is a must do for the next time I make cupcakes. Cupcakes are so perfect, just the right amount of cake.. love it. Angel blessed lens.
  • Edutopia Jan 15, 2012 @ 1:15 pm | delete
    My girlfriend loves making cupcakes. She'd be thrilled to have a display tower like this. Looks like I have a new project to get started on!
  • miaponzo Jan 15, 2012 @ 2:25 am | delete
    Cute idea! Blessed!
  • Pennyseeker Jan 14, 2012 @ 8:54 am | delete
    Interesting lens!
  • baby-strollers Jan 14, 2012 @ 12:46 am | delete
    I think that's fabulous,well done.
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CrafterBerly

Which craft is the best? I simply can't decide. Sewing, crocheting, scrapbooking...I always have at least a dozen of each project started. My indecisi... more »

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