Sunday, November 20, 2011

Customize Your Candles!


I love candles. All sizes, all colors, almost all scents. I love to give them as gifts and get them as gifts. I recently did a black and white tablescape and I wanted the candles to fit the theme. I bought three white pillar candles from Michael's and decided they needed a makeover!


I searched my vast array of scrapbook paper (I don't scrapbook, I just love the paper) and found several patterns that would work. Here is what I came up with:





To see the whole table, click here. Now, I'll show you how easy it is!

For the 6" candles, I just cut one sheet of scrapbook paper in half. If it's a pattern, make sure you have the paper the right way before cutting it.


I'm saving that sheet of scrapbook paper for another project, so I decided to find a design online that I thought would make a pretty candle. I thought this one was interesting! I just used a heavier stock paper than you would ordinarily use in your printer.



I found a few more to make as samples, which you will see at the end. Cut the paper to the size you need for your candle.



Take each one and roll them up tightly (pattern out), using a rubber band to hold them. Let them stay wrapped for about thirty minutes. This makes them wrap around the candle much easier.



I didn't worry about the width of the paper, because I just planned on overlapping it. Just make sure it isn't too short to go around. Before you attach the paper permanently, you may have to trim some of it. Not all candles are exactly the size they say they are. You don't want it to stick up over the top of the candle.



Then wrap the paper around the candle. Use two sided tape to secure it, under the paper so it doesn't show. I didn't have two sided tape so I just wrapped it with regular tape in a loop. Again, if you have paper hanging over the top or bottom, just snip it off with a scissors. Do this right on the candle. Here is the result!






Here are some other ideas for wrapping candles. I purchased some parchment printer paper at Office Depot and printed a few patterns I found online. I chose the color "copper."





I love the vintage look of the parchment paper. Just make sure your design doesn't have a colored background.









  
There really is no limit to what you can put on a candle! I have even used customized candles for marketing.



So, let your imagination go wild!  Use one design but different sizes or three different designs that coordinate well together. You can add embellishment like ribbon or glitter, but if you plan on lighting them, you should stay with something simple. As the candle burns down, you need to trim the paper. And, like most candles, you shouldn't leave them unattended (this is my legal disclaimer!)


Thanks for visiting me! Can't wait to see what all of you are up to!

I will be joining the Before and After Party at Thrifty Decor Chick!

 

13 comments:

Robin said...

Those came out great and it looks so easy! I could have saved myself alot of money doing this instead of buying the "map" candle at Pottery Barn that I just had to have! Thanks for sharing!

Robin
Robin Flies South

Unknown said...

Very pretty, I love the music notes especially. Thanks for sharing! What an easy DIY.

Audrey said...

Very nice. Look very expensive.
Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas. Audrey Z.
hope you will visit Timeless Treasures and say hello.

Okio B Designs said...

Your candles are gorgeous! I love the idea of rolling and rubber-banding the paper before applying. I have made some of these before but never thought of that step! Coming over from Met Monday and your newest follower!

Jeanine

Heidi @ Decor & More said...

Wonderful simple project! Thanks for sharing! Visiting from BNOTP. :)

Pat said...

Love this idea! Being able to have your candles any pattern you want is awesome. I like scrapbooking paper for lots of other things too.

High Street Cottage said...

Great idea! I have seen so many pretty vintage papers too that I always wonder what to do with. Wonderful inspiration.

Pam - @diy Design Fanatic said...

Your candles look great! Thanks for the inspiration. My husband made a batch of candles that were brown and, uh, not so pretty. This is a great way to cover them up! Thanks for stopping by and for the nice comment! You have your "no reply blogger" on ~ otherwise I might have replied via email.

Denise at Forest Manor said...

Your candles turned out beautifully, Elaine!! I am so impressed, and I love the look of the parchment paper. I love the sheet music and the
monogram, but they're all gorgeous. Thanks so much for sharing these pictures and showing us how to create these candles! Have a great day!

Denise

K&B by the Sea said...

What a great way to dress up candles :-) And instead of buying new candles for different occasions, you can just replace the paper with paper that matches the occasion :-)

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

They look great! I love how you turned these into beauties...so creative!
Thanks so much for visiting. Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Unknown said...

They are stunning! I seem to collect paper and I don't scrapbook either :p. I see some Christmas presents happening soon. sssh, don't tell!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Carly {a simple affair} said...

What a wonderful idea! I would love to add some old music sheets to candles. These are simply perfect!