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Here is an easy craft project that will duplicate those beautiful, yet expensive decorator candles that you see at the candle shops. The candles that have the pressed flowers poured into the wax., that sell for about twice or three times the price of a regular candle. Just follow these step by step instructions and you can make these yourself for a fraction of the cost.
Here is a list of the items you will need:
fresh, dried or silk flowers, leaves and ferns (silks can be purchased cheaply at discount stores or gather your own flowers and greens from your garden or from along the roadside)
3-inch diameter dripless pillar candles- be sure to color coordinate your candles and floral’s. Look at discount stores or sale tables to purchase these candles inexpensively. Dripless candles burn on the inside, leaving the outside intact.
1-inch foam brush- these disposable brushes can be purchased at craft or department stores and also at hardware stores, look either in the craft or paint section.
Mod Podge- or any other type of decoupage glue. This also can be purchased at any craft or department store that has a craft department.
Select the flowers and leaves that you would like to use to decorate your candle. Flat materials work best so you may need to “press” your flowers and greenery. The best way to press fresh flowers is to pick them in the morning, after the dew is off. And place them under a heavy item, such as a book, or you can use a flower press. Let them sit until the next morning. They do not need to be dried, just flat. If using silk flowers, remove them from the stem, you may need to remove a bit of the plastic remaining on the back of the flower or leaf with scissors. These may also need “pressed” overnight to flatten them.
To decorate the candles, work on one side of the candle at a time. Using your foam brush, brush on a nice thick layer of the Mod Podge, covering the area that you plan to decorate. Next start pressing your flowers and greenery into the Mod Podge on the candle. Keep moving around your candle, adding more of the Mod Podge and flowers, until the entire area that you wish to decorate is covered.
Now after your flowers and greenery are all in place. Gently with your foam brush dab another coat of Mod Podge over the entire area, making sure all the flowers and greenery are covered. Let dry completely.
Here are several decorating suggestions; try pansies or violas on a pastel colored candle for Easter. Brightly colored autumn leaves on a cream colored or green candle for fall decorating. Small silk poinsettias will nicely accent a candle for Christmas. Also try a “vine” type flower and gently spiral it around your candle.
As with any candle, use caution while burning and do not leave unattended.
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