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!
