Butterfly Candle Holders-Hobbies
Butterfly Candle Holders
Butterfly candle holders are easy to make and a great gift idea. The materials are very inexpensive, and you can use your imagination for a variety of designs. To get started, you will need:Materials:Small glass candle holders
Butterfly wrapping paper
Yellow tissue paper
Decoupage
Cuticle scissors
Small paintbrush
Damp paper towelYou can buy whatever glass candle holders you like (or use some you already have laying around). I bought mine at Walmart for about $0.59. You could also find them at thrift stores or yard sales.I chose butterflies for my design, but you could choose whatever design you'd like--maybe keeping in mind the tastes of the person you're making them for. You can cut out pictures from anywhere, including calendars, greeting cards, magazines. Thin paper decoupages best.After you have some pictures in mind, use cuticle scissors (the kind you cut your fingernails with) to cut out the pictures. These scissors work best on small pictures and cut rounder corners than regular scissors. If you're not going to use the pictures right away, store them in ziploc bags.You can buy decoupage at any craft store. It is normally found with the glue. It allows you to permanently affix a picture to another object, giving the object an overall glossy effect. Make sure the glass you're working with is clean. Tear a piece of tissue paper into small (approx. 1 inch) pieces. Using the paint brush, brush some decoupage on to the back of one of the pieces of tissue paper. Position the tissue paper on the glass and then brush some more decoupage on top of it. Continue gluing on pieces of tissue paper, overlapping at the edges, until the entire candle holder is covered (including the bottom--set the candle holder on its top to dry). Brush one last coat of decoupage over the entire candle holder. Use damp paper towel to wipe off any excess decoupage.After the decoupage has dried for about an hour (or more), position the butterflies (or other pictures) on top of the tissue paper. First brush some decoupage on the backs of the pictures and place them on the glass. Brush another coat of decoupage over the entire glass and set the candle holder on its top to dry again. After the decoupage has dried, add 2 or 3 more coats of decoupage after each coat has dried.That's it! These candle holders are only limited by your imagination. Use different colors of tissue paper and a variety of pictures for different themes. You could make these with holiday themes, like for Christmas or Easter. They also make great birthday presents, hostess gifts, or party favors. They are very easy to make and you can make several of them at one time.Photo of completed project:
http://www.crafty-moms.com/articles/102701a.shtmlRachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom of four. For scrapbooking, card making, gift-giving ideas, and more family memory-making activities, visit http://www.crafty-moms.com
Candle Making 101 – Home-Improvement
Candle Making 101
If you'd like to try your hand at candle making, set aside two hours one day next weekend, and start with an easy project, using your old candles to test the waters. If it's instant gratification you crave, you'll see the fruits of your labor in just a couple of hours with a minimum expenditure for supplies.People often speak of candle making and soap making in the same sentence as if they are similar experiences. The process is not the same. If you have thought of making your own soap, try candle making first. The process may appear similar, but it's simpler and safer. When you make your own candles, you are simply melting wax, not conducting chemical experiments in your kitchen.We'll give you a play-by-play preview of the process, but consider this an overview. Before you actually set up shop and play candle maker for the afternoon, download a proper set of step-by-step procedures from the Internet. You'll find hundreds of candle-making projects available online, but start by recycling your old candles just to get a feel for the process. In fact, in this overview, we'll describe the process of melting down your old candles and turning them into brand new votive candles.If you enjoy the experience, which is similar to cooking, then you'll want to order more supplies before beginning your candle-making hobby in earnest. With a little practice, you can give unique, hand-made holiday gifts, and delight your friends with something that you personally created.Safety FirstAnytime you work around an open flame, you have all the ingredients for a potentially dangerous situation. Work carefully and mind your safety P's and Q's at all times. Candle making requires your undivided attention. Don't even think about multitasking while working with hot wax.Materials and PreparationBefore you begin, you'll need to gather the following equipment:Old candles ? anything that you would otherwise throw away
Votive wicks, pre-tabbed
Votive molds (metal is best)
Scissors
Silicone spray for metal votive molds
Old saucepans to create a "double boiler"
Candy thermometer
Oven mittsTo minimize cleanup, cover your burners with aluminum foil and spread old rags or newspapers over a flat work area.Prepare the MoldsIf you prepare your molds in advance, you won't have to scramble at the last minute, and risk the possibility of your wax cooling before you can pour it.Spray the inside of each mold with Silicone per the instructions on the can.
Place a pre-tabbed votive wick in the mold, and set aside.Melt the WaxThis process requires your undivided attention.Remove old wicks, labels, etc. At a bare minimum, clip the burnt part of the wick.
Melt the wax.If you're using old jar candles, you'll need to melt the wax in the jars separately.Pour the MoldsAllow the melted wax to cool to 160 to 180 degrees F.Pour the wax into the prepared molds.Allow to cool and shrink.Melt wax for the repour and allow it to cool to 180 degrees F.Repour to top off the molds.Allow to cool.Remove the candle from the votive holder.The key to successful candle making is preparation and setup. If you have everything prepared and within easy reach, you'll have a smooth melt to pour process. If you haven't prepared in advance, the wax may cool faster than you can prepare your work area and molds, costing you additional time.That's all there is to creating brand new candles from your candle remnants. If you enjoy the process, you can progress to creating your own custom candles from scratch, giving them as gifts, or even starting a brand new career path.M J Plaster is a successful author who provides information on shopping online for candle making supplies and candles in general. M J Plaster has been a commercial freelance writer for almost two decades, most recently specializing in home and garden, the low-carb lifestyle, investing, and anything that defines la dolce vita.