DIY Tealight Candle Holders

Don’t you just love the ambiance that a soft flickering tealight candle adds to a room?

Being both inexpensive and versatile, these tiny candles are a staple in most homes these days.

I like to use the lightly scented ones to freshen a room, but I also burn them in decorative holders for lighting or to add a warm glow to my decor.

 

 

I’ve recently been creating and experimenting with polymer clay and these sweet little tealight candle holders are one of the projects I created.

They are plain and simple… and a little bit shabby…

And with the addition of a small handle they are also practical.

 

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How to make Tealight Candle Holders

Materials:

• 1 packet of Sculpey white Polymer Clay
• Sculpey Bake and Bond
• Acrylic clay roller
• Scone cutter
• Clay tools
• Baking paper and foil
• Baking pan and oven.

Instructions:

1. Start with clean hands and work surface area. I used silicon baking paper on my work surface and in my baking pan. Knead clay until soft and smooth. Roll the clay between two level surfaces – I used 2 popsical sticks and my clay roller.

2. You will need a base for your candle holder. I had a round scone/cookie cutter that was just slightly larger than a tealight candle, so it was the perfect size, but you could use any round surface to trace a base.

 

 

3. Next you need to make the sides of the holder. I measured the circumference of my base, which was 13.5 cm and I wanted the candle holder to be slightly higher than my tealight, so I made that 2 cm high. To make the side piece I rolled out the clay, as in step one and then used a ruler and craft knife to cut out a piece of clay using these dimensions.

4. Wrap the side panel around the circumference of the base. To ensure I had a good bond between the two pieces, I used a small amount of Sculpey Bake and Bond between the two surfaces and where the ends of the side panel met. Smooth and blend the edges together so they look seamless. I used a couple of tools from my clay tool set to smooth the edges, being careful not to handle my clay piece with my hands too much. Every little fingerprint and nail gouge shows up once baked.

5. I rolled a piece of clay to make a handle, which I attached at the side of the holder where the seam is. I then rolled some small pieces of foil into tubes to help keep the shape of the handle for baking.

 

 

6. Bake at 275 °F (130 °C) for 15 minutes and allow to cool.

The candle holders I made have a simple rustic/shabby look, so I chose not to varnish them.

Tip: On one of my candle holders I rolled a piece of crochet lace across the clay before cutting my side panel, which left a nice imprint on the clay (see below).

PIN for later

 

 

This was a quick afternoon project, but I’m thrilled with how they turned out.

Whether used singularly in a vignette or as a collection on a dining table, they will add a wonderful shabby look to your decor.

 

Happy crafting,
♥
Kerryanne

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