Creative Candle Craft Ideas

 Home craft projects are a great way to stay busy and creative.  These projects also make great gifts and can be used to decorate your home.  If you’ve ever wanted to try crafting with candles, here are some suggestions to spark your creative spirit.

Stained Glass Candles

To make colorful pillar candles that glow as they burn, you’ll need the following items.  You can find them at any large craft store in the candle-making department, online, or at a specialty candle store.

·         Sheets of colored pre-rolled candle wax or colored beeswax

·         Parchment baking paper

·         Small cookie cutters (simple shapes work best)

·         2 – 3 large white pillar candles

Lay the sheets of colored wax on a large piece of parchment baking paper.  Use the cookie cutters to gently punch out shapes from the wax.  Press the shapes onto the sides of the white pillar candles.  If the shapes aren’t sticking easily, rolling the pillar candles in your hands for a few minutes will help warm the wax.  As the pillar candle burns down the light will shine through the sides and illuminate the colorful shapes decorating the outside.  

Seasonal centerpiece

The holiday table centerpiece is a treasured tradition in many families.  Often, these centerpieces are purchased from florists; these professional centerpieces are very attractive but can be very expensive.  You can make your own centerpiece for a fraction of the cost.  Don’t limit yourself to holidays, either; you can craft a centerpiece to celebrate any season.  These items can be purchased at any craft store that sells flower arranging supplies.

·         Sprays of real or artificial flowers and greenery

·         Wire-edged ribbon, bobbles, and other decorative elements

·         2 – 3 small tea light candles (the kind that come in metal cups)

·         Floral foam (a must if you’re using real flowers)

·         A container with a wide flat bottom (If you’ll be using real flowers this container should be water-tight; if you’re using artificial items a basket will also work.)

·         Florists tape

·         Scissors and wire cutters

Begin by cutting the floral foam to a shape that will fit in the container you’ve chosen.  You might need to round off some corners.  Wrap the flowers, greenery, and decorative sprays into small bundles using the florists tape.  Use the scissors and wire cutters to trim away some of the stems but leave a few long.  Once several bundles have been made, insert the long stems into the foam.  If this is difficult, gently pour a small portion of water on the foam; the foam will become softer as the water is absorbed.  Arrange the floral bunches until the foam is obscured.  Leave a couple spaces clear for the candles.  Depending on the finished arrangement you may not be able to safely light the candles.  Natural and artificial flowers will both burn, as will any container made of flammable material.  If you wish to light the candles on your centerpiece, consider using pillar candles or tapers instead.  This will raise the heat above the surrounding arrangement.  Taper candles will require a holder to prevent accidental tipping.

Crafting with candles is an easy hobby to get into.  The supplies are generally inexpensive and can be easily acquired.  Kids and young adults will also enjoy expressing themselves with these simple activities.  There’s not much mess to clean up afterward and you can enjoy the lovely finished project for a long time to come.