September 19, 2011

Holiday Candle Transformation


It's time to start making my holiday candles


Every year I sell out of my altered Christmas candles in my booth, so this year I thought I would start early.  I am going to do about 30 so, I got started on my first batch.  I don't know about you, but I seem to run out of creative energy if I try to do to much of one project at a time.

Here is the tutorial I wrote last year on making these candles

The one above was made with clay roses. Here is the tutorial for Making Clay Roses


I brought out my vintage bling and attached with my hot glue gun. The larger pins I attached with E-6000


I used the peel and stick rhinestones


After I spray paint my candles with regular acrylic paint I fill them with grout to give them a little weight.  I explain it here in last years tutorial


If I can get enough done I might put some in my online store


This one has a porcelain rose I chipped off a nick knack, the tutorial is here


I look for these candles all year as I am out at estate sales and thrift stores


Here is the one I made for myself last year


So, there you have it, my first batch of Christmas candles


I am heading out tomorrow to visit Baby Boy in DC, I haven't seem him for 9 months!  He is in his last year of intelligence studies and his Girlfriend works for the senate, (Don't tell anyone, but the girlfriend is getting promoted to fiance in the next couple of months)

Last year I took my Mom along and we went from Orlando to DC 17 hours via the Amtrak.  We got a sleeping room and had delusions of it being like the Orient Express.  It was no where near the Orient Express!!!


You can read all about it here.  You will be happy to know I did not "Throw Mama from the train"

This year, I'm flying.  I'll be staying in Old Town Alexandria, right on the main street loaded with cute little shops and boutiques for me to amuse myself while my son is working.  He'll be taking a couple of days off and we will see the sights of DC and get some good bonding time.


See you in a week!
Happy Creating!


41 comments:

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Hi Carol, I can see why the candles sell out. They are beautiful! Have fun in DC with your son.
Hugs,
Sherry

Denise said...

oh, sounds like fun, fun, fun!!! Enjoy yourself and thanks for the directions on making your cute candles.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Cute candles for sure! Love the bling! Enjoy your visit with your son. I'm having a blast in Cali visiting my daughter!

Unknown said...

Very pretty Carol! Enjoy your visit with your son! I know you'll be inspired by all the cute little shops up there. They could be inspired by you too!

LuLu Kellogg said...

Ohhhhhhhhh Carol...these are so wonderful! You are such a love for sharing how to create these with us!

LuLu~*xoxo

Sherry@Back2Vintage said...

You can make a silk purse out of a sow's ear!!! The candles are beautiful!!!

Shannon@Cozy Home Scenes said...

Carol, your candles are so pretty! The pink ones are my favorite but the others are very pretty, also. Adding the weight to the bottom is a good idea because they tend to not stay upright. Have a wonderful time with your family and make lots of memories.------Shannon

Tammy's Vintage Finds said...

These are awesome! So pretty and cottage/romantic style. I have a few of those candelabras hanging around at my home. I may just revamp what I've got and use them this Christmas!

Dina said...

what great ideas you got!! Your posts surprise me every time :)

17 hours in a train? I'd be flying too... It sounds like being a sardine in a can...

Have a safe and great trip!
Love, Dina

Ido said...

Love the candles and have a great trip!
XXX Ido

Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made said...

AHHHHH!!! These are so beautiful, so charming!! What a fantastic idea -- thank you for posting and for providing the tutorials! Great idea filling the base to give them weight!!

Debbie said...

I remember these from last year. I ran pell mell to the attic to find the box of old candles that I just KNEW I still had. Nothing... zilch... UGH. This year I'm going to ask the Duchess if she has any. I really love these, and the process is something that I could do and enjoy.

And I actually remember the train ride, too. Does this mean I need a life? Probably.

Have a wonderful time with your baby boy and his soon-to-be fiance!

Gina said...

I have no douby why these keep selling out...they're beautiful! Have a safe trip & a wonderful visit with your son.

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

I love these! Each one is so special...love the bling and your pretty hand made roses.
I hope you have a wonderful visit with your son, and the shopping is an added bonus!

Cheryl said...

Love the candles........what a great idea!
Thanks for all the info. I have a box of those old candles somewhere around here and will have to go dig it out. Wishing you safe travels and a great visit with your son.
Cheryl

Unknown said...

I'm just around the corner in Md. Carol! Enjoy your visit.

The candles are EXQUSITE!!!

Thank you for your sweet note of support. You are truly appreciated. It meant a lot to me.

Have a beautiful week ~
TTFN ~
Hugs,
Marydon

La said...

Hi there. I remember last year's trip with your mother very well. I hope you have a wonderful visit.

Your candles are fabulous!

Susan said...

Those candles are awesome! So very pretty! I especially love the one with the pink rose!

Old Time Cindy said...

Have a fun, wonderful trip! Thanks for sharing your candles...totally pickin' cool!

Anonymous said...

Lovin the bling you added to your candles.

Hugs,
Melissa

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

When I see them at sales, I think of the pretty ones you alter. The white one you made for yourself is very pretty.
Have a Wonderful time with your Son and I hope you find a treasure or two.
Warmly,
deb

Anonymous said...

I have your darling candle lights in my inspiration folder still and even have a few vintage candles that I picked up last year- I do so hope I get time to make some this year!!
Have fun visiting baby boy!! my Wild Thing got back from his motorcyle adventure to Panama and back- came home this last weekend for a few days- so good to put my arms around him again!!

bee blessed
mary

Something Special said...

What a great idea to fill with grout for the weight. These candles are absolutely beautiful.

Ricki Treleaven said...

SO cute and bling-ilicious, Carol!

*love the candles*

Unknown said...

Amazing! Those are so pretty!

Nancy

Debbiedoos said...

What no train story this year? RATS! It was a good one last year. Enjoy your son. Love your candles, the bling is wonderful!

kristiB said...

Carol, you are so creative!!! Love , love ,love these candles! Thanks again for the tutorial, you are so generous. You should pop over to my blog and see the dress form i built, she came out beautiful!!! Have a great day!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Enjoy your trip! I know it will be a nice change...wish I could see some of my boys! Love this project, too! I may try to copy these! ♥

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

These are charming, Carol! I love the hint for grouting the base!

Heart Vintage Design said...

I am so going to make these!

Bring Pretty Back said...

I love these!!! FABULOUS!
Have a pretty day!
Kristin

Jane said...

I remember your beautiful candles from last year. You are so smart to get started early...my craft show is Oct. 1 and I am scrambling to get things finished!
Have a wonderful time in DC with your son. I love that area...so much to do and see!
Jane

Scarlett said...

These candles are beautiful! No wonder they are such a hit. Scarlett x

Meadowsweet Cottage said...

I hope you're having a wonderful time shopping and bonding. Grown sons are a blessing!

As usual, your project is delightful!

I did chip off some porcelain roses from a yard sale, now I need to use them (I'm thinking picture frames).

~pogonip

Rose Garden Romantic said...

Wow, they are fabulous!!! I have seen those a few times at the thrift store and now I really wish I had bought them! Next time I see some I will grab them up for sure!! Thanks so much for the tutorial!
Michelle

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

Very pretty Carol. I love the added bling.

Unknown said...

I love your candles. I am going to make some this year (because of you).

Enjoy your visit with your handsome son. Looking forward to hearing about your adventures. Glad you took a plane this time!

xo
Roselle

Renee said...

Beautiful candles! Thanks for sharing these at my link party!

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Carol,
I love the candles that you create. I see so many of those lonely looking, forgotten plastic candles in the shops and I'm so glad that you have found a way to make them beautiful.
I like the idea of adding the grout to weight them!
Have fun with your son and enjoy your trip.

hugs
Sissie

Grannys Attic said...

Thanks for the great step step instructions! I made some of these and took to a Harvest Festival this weekend and sold out. I did mine using fall and Halloween decor. Lots of fun! Thanks again for the great idea. Vicky

Anonymous said...

don't be a dummy like me and do all the work on the altered candle stick before you check to see if they light up. Which I did not! I had to throw 6 of them out after I did all that work on them. ACK! They were new...still in the box so I assumed they worked. You know what they say about assuming something don't you?? :) xoxxo