Decoupage is the art of decorating an object by gluing colored paper cut-outs onto it.
Each layer of paper is sealed with a glue or varnish before adding another new layer.
You can use the decoupage technique to create a beautiful votive candle holder.
Materials Needed
To do this project, you will need a small glass container. I found lots of small clear vases and votive holders at the dollar store — one of my favorite places for craft supplies!
You will also need some light-colored tissue paper, an old paintbrush, and either Tacky Glue or Mod Podge. Both of these can be found at Michael’s. (TIP: If you use Tacky Glue you will need to thin it down with water to a consistency a little thicker than milk.)
Lastly, you will need some pressed flowers. This is optional; you could just use colored tissue paper if you like. Here, I’ve used some wildflowers that I pressed using the book press method.
Instructions For Making Decoupage Candle Holders
Once you have everything together, cover your work surface with newspaper or a plastic tablecloth — it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Using an old paintbrush, brush some of the Tacky Glue (or Mod Podge) onto the glass. Take one of your flowers and place it on the glue. Remember that pressed flowers are fragile, so handle with care. Press the flower onto the glue with the handle end of the paintbrush. Now, brush some more glue gently over the top of the flower.
While the glue is still wet, tear a small piece of the tissue paper and press it into the glue over the flower. (Press it down with the handle end of the paintbrush.) Brush glue over the tissue paper. Layer more of the tissue paper over the flower and over the glass. Working in small sections, add more flowers around the outside of the votive holder and continue covering the flowers and glass with the tissue paper until the entire outside of the candle holder is covered.
When it has dried, light a candle inside and watch the flowers glow!
BONUS TIP: You can also try printing pictures onto vellum and cutting them out to use in place of the flowers. Your images just need to be translucent so that they glow when the candle is burning.
I like to share fun ideas for easy arts & craft projects that you can do with kids. I especially enjoy coming up with unique ideas for kids crafts that can be enjoyed when you’re on the road, traveling, or vacationing outdoors (camping).
