Welcome to my blog!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I believe that everyone can have a beautiful home without spending a fortune! One of my favorite things to do is find creative ways to re-purpose things I already have on hand, or have picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Join me as I share with you some of my favorite ideas for crafting and decorating, as well as travel adventures, and fun things that I pick up on my treasure hunts! Much of my work is influenced by my love all things French, nature, and of course shabby chic! I have gotten so many creative ideas from you very talented bloggers out there, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you as well!

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Glittered Valentine Jar Candle Tutorial

One of my favorite things to create are glittered jar candles, which are not only lots of fun to make, but super easy, too!  With just a few inexpensive supplies, you can make one for yourself, or as thoughtful little gifts.
Here is all you need:
 You can find the jar candles at the dollar store, or most grocery stores carry them in the Hispanic food section.  You'll also need Mod Podge, a foam sponge (I like to save plastic containers from produce as handy little trays), a sheet of vintage sheet music, and the image of your choice.  I found this beautiful vintage Valentine image over at the Graphics Fairy.  Of course, you don't have to use vintage sheet music, you can always print some out from the Graphics Fairy.
 I would be totally lost without my Martha Stewart glitter!  Yes, I would:)  As a matter of fact, several people here in blogland have bestowed me with the title "Glitter Queen"!!
 Cut your sheet music to fit the candle, and brush with a thin even layer of Mod Podge.  I always keep a roll of waxed paper handy in my craft room to use whenever I have messy projects.  Believe me, your work surface will appreciate it!
 Adhere the sheet music to your candle, pressing out any wrinkles or bubbles.  Do the same with your image, and set aside to dry.
Next comes the fun part, creating the embellishments!  Of course, you can keep your candle plain and simple, but I like to add a few pretty additions.  I decided to make a heart for this one, so I cut a small heart shape from "grunge paper", by Tim Holtz.  You could easily use chipboard for this, or even cardboard from a cereal box.  I'm a big "use what you've got" kinda girl, and I know that many of you are, too!
 Then I cut two heart out of the sheet music, the same size as the grunge paper.  Using a thin coat of Mod Podge, glue the sheet music hearts to the front and back of the grunge paper & set aside to dry.
 It's no biggie if everything doesn't line up, you can always trim it with your scissors later.
 Ok, now for the really fun part, the glittering!  Of course, you can skip this step if you are a glitter phobe, like some of you here happen to be (and whose names will go unmentioned, tee, hee!)  Anyway, go over your candle with a thin coat of Mod Podge, and lightly cover with the glitter of your choice.  Again, this is where I use the waxed paper to protect my work surface, and make clean up much easier!
 Do the same thing with each side of your heart.  Oh, I almost forgot to mention, punch a small hole in the top of your heart first.

 Once everything is all dry, tie a pretty ribbon around the top, adding your heart to the end.  I used pale pink crinkly seam binding to tie a very generous bow
 And there you have it!  A fun and easy project that even the kids could help with! 
 I'm giving this lovely to my neighbor as a little thank you gift.  She is very musically inclined, so I think she will love the addition of the sheet music!

 The candles look absolutely magical at night when lit!  Here are some of my candles.  The one below is one of my all time favorites!
 Ok, I take that back, this Eiffel Tower is one of my all time favorites!  For this one, I used a silver fleur de lis charm as an embellishment.
 Oooh, la, la!

 I made this Valentine jar candle last year.  Aren't those little birdies sweet?  I love the pretty blue forget me nots, too!  All of the images that I used for these candles are compliments of the Graphics Fairy.
 Now get your glitter out, and get crafting!
Linking up with Karen at The Graphics Fairy for Brag Monday
and Debra at Common Ground for her Vintage Valentine Party

21 comments:

The Bear's Blog said...

Beautiful. And yes, the Martha Stewart glitters are great - you get spoiled after using and don't want anything else.

You are very artistically gifted, you do know that, right?

So thankful to see you back to being your crafty self. Don't forget to rest though.....

Hugs

Blooming Rose Musings said...

Hello Ms. Glitter Queen! Your candles are so lovely. But then again, everything you do seems to turn out beautifully.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Linda M. said...

Oh I like glitter. Thanks for sharing this quick tutorial on making these candles. Have a great week. Joyous Wishes, Linda

Susie said...

DONNA, THE GLITTERY CANDLE IS WONDERFUL. VERY SWEET AS A GIFT TOO. SMILES, SUSIE(SheJunks)

ShabbyESP said...

Hi Donna!!!
LOVE LOVE LOVE the candles you made!!! I will need to make a trip to the dollar store!!!
Thank you for sharing!!!
Suzann ~xoxo~

Musings from Kim K. said...

Fabulous tutorial. Your candles are simply breath-taking. Glitter is definitely the key to your success! My Emma is still in love with all things Paris. Your special Paris-themed ornaments that I bought a year ago, are out year-round. I think of you every time I go in her bedroom. Hugs.

NanaDiana said...

Dear Glitter Queen- You have done a beautiful tutorial here. I love it...but then I love everything you do. Just wondering if your bed is full of glitter when you climb out in the morning?;>) xo Diana

Tete said...

I know who you're talking about! Love the lesson in glitter, though I will never use it, unless I go senile and forget it scares me so.
Love those tall candles. We had a couple in the 70s that my mom got, one had Jesus on it.
I like the paris one, too. Pretty.
I like the Graphics Fairy- found some of my coolest stuff there.
;)

Myric said...

This is really gorgeous and brilliant!!! Especially the Eiffel tower! It looks pretty when lit up!

Amazing!

Xoxo
myric

FRENCH LAUNDRY said...

Oh Donna,

I LOVE that Eiffel tower especially! I adore your liberal use of glitter. I look at the beautiful pieces you sent me on your giveaway every day and I think the way the images peek from behind the clear glitter is brilliant. Must get me some of that MS course glitter. Note to self...

Have a great weekend,
Judy

Kim Gillian said...

Wow, Your candles look amazing! I really like them, I may have to try one, thanks for the tutorial!!
-Kim :)

Karen said...

Great candles! I love them all.

Your neighbor is certain to love the one you made for her.

Hugs, Karen

Lisa ~Suburban Retreat~ said...

I am not a crafty person at all but your tutorial makes it seem so easy! Your candles are sooo pretty!

john said...

These look wonderful and even better when lit ! love the way the Eiffel tower lights up...have a nice week ! Gail x

Unknown said...

Love how your transformed a plain ol' candle! It's stunning!
Beth
http://alyssabeth1.blogspot.com/

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh, Donna, I LOVE glitter, too, so I adore this project! Gorgeous! Thanks for the tutorial!
Hugs, Cindy

Sherry@Back2Vintage said...

Wow....What a difference music and glitters makes!!! Your neighbor will love the candle...such a special gift!!!

Susan EvelynAndRose said...

Lovely! You really need a glitter crown to go with your glitter queen title, Donna! :)

Unknown said...

Holy cow, these are gorgeous!!! And the little embellishment on the side? Perfection. I love these!
xo
lynn

Leo said...

Love love love this candle. Your candles are the best!!

Linda M. said...

Hi Donna, I made one and I love it. Thanks for sharing. I do have a question about the glitter. I didn't have Martha's, I used what I had on hand by Sulyn it's a light fluffy type of glitter. I think the candle looks great but I was wondering if you coat the glitter layer with anything to help keep it from coming off? Thank, Linda