Learn how to both adhere and “draw” with hot glue to create a dripping wax look on these faux candles then stack together to create a unique centerpiece for your Halloween party table or gothic themed get together.
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Be prepared when the darkness falls with a tool to light up the night! A flashlight is fine. Candles are ok. But a candelabra that has no chance of catching your house on fire is even better! This candle tree may look complicated to make but this earth friendly centerpiece comes together with simple supplies you can easily find in your home or the dollar store!
Supplies:
- Cardboard Tubes
- Battery Powered Tea Lights
- Artificial Black Roses
- Acrylic Paint – black and dark purple
- Charger Plate
- Vase
- Utility Knife
- Painter’s Tape
- Hot Glue and Glue Sticks (lots of ‘em!)
First, put the word out to your family and friends that you’re looking for heavier duty cardboard tubes. You’d be surprised how many people use up rolls of foil, craft vinyl and paper towels on the regular! I created this DIY Candelabra with 5 cardboard tubes, but you could easily create it with more or less. Tip: make sure your tea lights fit inside your tubes!
Cut your tubes to different heights. You’ll be using both pieces so the heights don’t really matter. Also don’t worry about uneven cuts. As long as one end is flat so the candle can stand, you’re golden. I’ll hide any imperfections in a later step.
Peel any plastic battery pack starters in your tea lights and hot glue them to the inside of the cardboard tube by applying glue around the edges. Tip: I chose NOT to hot glue the actual candles to the charger plate so I could easily turn the battery pack on during the Halloween party so don’t put glue over the back “on/off” buttons.
Next, “paint” drips onto your tube using hot glue. You make want to add more glue to the top so the area isn’t so flat and shiny. This is where you can help hide any uneven cuts you made in that first step.
Cover all the “flame” parts of the tea light using painter’s tape. Paint your tubes and hot glue drips. I chose a black and purple combination to match the Halloween party theme and vase used on the stand.
Adhere your charger plate on top of the vase.
Peel the painter’s tape and place your candles on top of the charger plate. Do NOT glue them in place! Wrap the artificial black roses around the candles and use hot glue to secure those in place so they don’t move during your party.
When it’s party time, lift each candle and stick a pencil or something long inside to switch the light from “off” to “on.” Place them back on the charger plate.
Now your DIY candelabra will be lit up as the centerpiece on your party table!
The dried hot glue effect will look like dripping wax to add to the goth and gloom of your Halloween tablescape. This easy (and cheap) DIY project can set the scene for your creepy and kooky Halloween celebration!
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