Weddingbee boards

Hello all...  I need help with one of my last DIY projects.  I have this great brazilian wood that is 7" wide X 5" tall X 3/4" thick.  I have cut scrapbook paper with pinking shears and wrapped up half the wood, and then I punched out the table number and affixed it the the bare wood.  They look great, the only problem is that I need to come up with a stand.  We have 22 tables, and I need these babies to be up off the table by at least 18".

I have more of the wood to make a base if necessary, does anyone have any ideas on where to get a brushed stainless or brushed nickel rod?  or even better a stand with it's own base that I could affix by hollowing out a hole in the bottom of my table number wood and gluing the stand into place

Here is a picture of the paper wrapped table number

You can get rods at Home Depot or Lowe's.

How about using tall candle holders (those made for pillar candles so they are thicker at the top and can support your sign)? 

Good luck!