Sherri's Helpful Hints

Lighted Crafts

Year-Round Luminarias craft
Clear glass canning jars in a variety of shapes and sizes
Sand in the color (or colors) of your choice
Pillar candles in sizes and colors to coordinate with your jars and your sand

Thoroughly clean jars with soap and water so that the lights will really shine.

Put sand in the bottoms of the jars, at least 2 inches deep - deeper for shorter candles. Seat one candle securely in each jar.

Although the flames are enclosed, don’t leave lighted luminarias unattended.

Miracle Candle craft
1 plain white candle
Colored wax (one solid color)

Melt the colored wax. Fill a saucer with melted colored wax, and place the white candle standing in the center. Quickly submerge the candle and saucer into a sink filled with cold water, pushing down quickly and removing quickly. The result will be a candle which resembles silk blowing in the wind.

Scrap Candle craft
Old candles, stubs, votives, sticks, etc. *
Old or new wicks
Wick anchor (if using)
Canning jars, baby food jars, etc.

* Use only one scented candle for each scrap candle you make.

Remove all the wicks and wick anchors before beginning. Melt all the scraps together in a double-boiler. If you don't have a double boiler, use a large metal can in a pan of boiling water. Place an old or new wick into the container. You may use a wick anchor in the bottom if you wish. This is suggested. Pour the hot wax into the jar of your choice. Put the container into a sink before you pour in the hot wax (just in case the container should break). Use a clothespin to hold the wick in the center until the candle has cooled and hardened.

Glass Mosaic Candle craft
Pillar candle
Egg carton
Glass mosaic tiles or flat marbles*
Tile grout
White glue

You can buy glass mosaic tiles at your craft store, or use bits of glass from bottles or dishes. You will need something to hold the candle in place while you glue the tiles/marbles onto it.

Place the candle on its side in the egg carton. Put a dab of glue on the tiles/marbles and press firmly onto the candle. The tiles want to slide down the sides of the candle, so work on one row at a time, allowing each row to dry fully before turning the candle and beginning the next row.

When the candle is covered with tiles/marbles, and fully dry, mix the tile grout in a small bowl. (Follow the instructions on the grout container.) Apply the grout to the outside of the candle with a flat stick (tongue depressor or Popsicle stick will work) or just use your hands. Allow the grout to set for about 10 to 15 minutes and then wipe with a damp rag or sponge. Wipe off the excess grout so that the tiles/marbles show through, but leave it about the same thickness in between all the tiles. Smooth the grout along the top of the candle. Allow to dry, then wipe again to fully clean all the glass tile surfaces.

You can make several of these and arrange them all together on a table, or put one candle in a shallow bowl and surround it with glass marbles, glass ornaments, etc.

When the candle has burned down almost completely, you can re-use it indefinitely by placing smaller candles in the center.

Apple Candles craft
Yellow and red apples make a wonderful candlelight decoration for fall entertaining.

Toothpick
Paring knife
Melon baller
Votive candles
Several medium-size apples, any colors desired
Lemon juice

Set one apple stem side up. Set the bottom of the votive candle over the stem. With a toothpick, poke holes around the base of the candle about 1/4 inch apart. This delineates the area to be removed so that the candle can fit into the hole.

Using a paring knife, cut along dotted circle and straight down about three-fourths of the way into the apple. Do not cut through the bottom of the apple.

Using the melon baller, scoop out the core and insides. Trim the opening with the paring knife to smooth any ragged edges. Rub the edges with lemon juice to prevent browning.

Repeat procedure with remaining apples.

Place a votive candle into each apple. You can place the prepared apples in the refrigerator until you are ready to set them on the table. This will also help to keep the candles burning longer! Light the candles just before guests come to the table.

Courtesy of Recipe Goldmine