Two Cute Candle Holders You Can Make Yourself

It's that time of year when, if you're throwing a party, you better be lighting some candles. Check out these two easy DIY ideas to spruce up your Yankee Candle finds.

Why not make your candle decor even more special by creating it yourself? Here, two crafters show you how.

First up, Melissa from No. 2 Pencil makes a chalkboard candle.

Here's how she did it.

Gather your supplies. You'll need acrylic chalkboard paint in a color of your choice, a paint brush, chalk, rubbing alcohol, and a jar candle with the label and residue completely removed.

Prepare the glass jar for paint by applying rubbing alcohol. Paint two to three coats of chalkboard paint onto glass, allowing it to dry between coats. Be sure to work in a well-ventilated area when painting.

Allow to dry for 24 hours. Prepare the chalkboard surface by rubbing it with a piece of white chalk. Wipe off the chalk with a damp towel.

Decorate your candle! Use chalk ink pens for best results. Write names, numbers, doodles — whatever you like.

And now, Mandy from Fabric Paper Glue creates cubic candlestick holders.

Follow her steps to do the same.

Collect your materials. You'll need 3 gold taper candles, matte black craft paint, gold or brass liquid gilding (or craft paint), a paint brush, wood glue, an electric drill, a wood drill bit of the same diameter as the base of the taper candles, and the following wooden blocks: (6) 1" cube, (6) 1.5" cube, (1) 2" cube, (1) 2" x 2" x 4" block, (1) 2" x 2" x 6" block. (You should be able to find all of these blocks at your local craft store. You don't have to use the exact same sized blocks as listed, but the base of each stick should be a different height with alternating smaller and larger blocks building on top of each base).

Mark the center point of three of the 1.5" blocks. Drill a hole approximately 3/4" deep using a wood drill bit that is the same diameter as the base of the taper candles. A 3/4" drill bit oughtta do the trick.

Paint all six of the 1" cube blocks a gold/brass color. Allow to dry.

Paint all twelve of the 1.5" and 2" cube blocks black. Allow to dry.

On of each of the 2" cube block bases, glue the following blocks in the following order as pictured: 1" gold block, 1.5" undrilled black block, 1" gold block, 1.5" drilled black block. Make sure each block is centered on top of the last and that your drilled hole is pointing towards the top of each candlestick.

Once the glue has dried, insert gold taper candles through the drilled holes. Now throw a fabulous dinner party to show off your art-deco decor.

Pippa Armbrester is a quilt maker and designer. Follow her adventures in quilting and life on her website.