Antler Accessories.

Yes, my dear, deer do shed their antlers every year. It generally happens in the springtime, and new antlers begin to grow back almost immediately. The shedding is usually complete in two weeks in temperate climates. Older deer begin losing their antlers in February and March but younger deer sometimes keep theirs until May. Full growth and hardening of the antlers is completed in late July or August. The antlers of the young deer are usually short spikes, but as the deer matures they become longer and acquire more points. A diet rich in vitamins and minerals is essential for normal antler growth. The antlers are appendages of the skull and are solid bone covered in a fine-haired skin called velvet, which is sloughed off as the animal rubs its antlers against trees.

If you have access to an area abundant with deer, you might find yourself on an antler search this spring to create these beautiful, sculptural accessories to complement your decor or that of a rustic back-to-nature retreat. They make perfect accents for a masculine study or teenage son's living space. These deer antler projects are easy to accomplish with few materials and a modest amount of time. Each candlestick, candelabra, plate holder, or plate stand becomes a work of art with specific qualities of sculptural beauty. Add color with candles and beads and touches of nature with small strips of leather and feathers.

SINGLE CANDLESTICKS

Six antlers are needed for a pair of candlesticks. Each candlestick requires 3 antlers. If you are making a pair, make sure to make the candlesticks compatible. Trim the base of each antler with an electric saw to achieve a smooth surface. For each candlestick, place two antlers in various positions until you achieve a sturdy stand with the antler points used as the legs of the candlestick. Hot glue the two antlers together at this point of intersection with the two bases of the antlers reaching upward and the points facing downward to make candlestick legs. Allow the antler stand made of the two antlers glued together to dry thoroughly. Drill a small hole through the glued intersection point going through both antlers and insert a small screw. Cover the screw head with a small amount of wood putty and touch up with matching paint. Glue the third antler base to the base of one of the antlers of the antler stand with the points reaching gracefully upward. Drill a hole into the other antler base and glue the h ead end of the nail into the drilled hole producing a nail to hold the candle. String a few beads on the leather cord and knot the end. Lash the leather cord around the candlestick intersection point and let several inches hang down. Add a feather and glue into place. Carefully slide a candle on the nail.

CANDELABRA

To make a candelabra, use four, five, or six antlers. Trim bases of each antler with the electric saw to make them smooth. Arrange antlers with points downward for legs and bases upward for candle holders. When you are happy with your design and the legs make a sturdy stand, glue the intersection points and drill a hole into each intersection point and screw the stand together. Cover screw heads with putty and paint to match antlers. Drill a hole into each antler base facing upward and glue the head end of the nail into the drilled hole. String beads on several leather cords and tie the ends with knots, lashing leather cords onto candelabra with ends hanging down. Add feathers and a candle on each nail holder.

PLATE HOLDER

Showcase a favorite plate on an antler plate holder. You will need one large heavy antler and two small antlers. Place the large antler on the table to form a sturdy stand to hold the plate. Arrange the other two antlers on the larger antler to hold the plate in a standing position. Glue the smaller antlers into place. Drill holes in intersection points and screw into place. Cover screw heads with putty and paint. Display plate in plate holder.

PLATE STAND

To make a plate stand you will need four antlers. Trim bases of each antler with electric saw to achieve smooth surfaces. Arrange two antlers crossed with points downward for legs to create a sturdy stand. Glue intersection, drill intersection, and screw into the drilled spot. Cover screw head with putty and matching paint. Glue other two antlers with base to base to stand. Make sure to place antlers so that points spread outward to allow space to insert a plate. Drill and screw points of intersections of bases. Cover screw heads with putty and matching paint. String beads on leather cord and knot ends of leather. Lash leather cord around stand. Add a few feathers and a plate of your choice between the spread points of the antlers.

ANTLER BASKET

For antler basket, glue antlers pleasingly to handles. Reinforce with leather cord that has been strung with beads, and add feathers.