Thanks so very much for all of the well wishes and especially for the name ideas for the shop.(I am so excited about it all!!!) We're trying to narrow it down to the top two or three and decide within the next couple of days, so you know I'll be sharing that!
Today I thought it would be fun to share an easy peasy tutorial for making vintage style votive candle holders. After the last wedding a year ago this past March, I had oodles and toodles of votive candle holders left, and I knew from the start exactly what I was going to do with them. They have been waiting ever since.
Last weekend I finally began my little project, and I am quite smitten with how they came out. (Why didn't I make these sooner?) So simple and sweet, and so easy to assemble. If you don't happen to have 40+ votive holders laying around like I did, you can buy them very cheaply at places like WalMart or a craft store...or...you can use little jars, or empty votive holders from past votives that came with a candle in them (Like the Glade ones at the grocery store)
Here's the supply list:
votive candle holders or small jars
ribbon or lace
millinery flowers (mine are new, from Michael's. I coffee dyed them!)
old book pages (the more yellowed with time, the better!)
optional* old buttons of vintage tags to adorn the votive instead of the millinery flowers
Scissors
glue stick
optional* glue gun
Step one:
take an old book page and make sure it's the length that will wrap around the votive holder. Fold the page so it is about 1/2 inch shorter than the votive holder.Tear the page along the fold for a soft look. Fold the top two end corners so when they meet around the votive holder they will form a nice little "V".
Rub a bit of glue stick to the back of the paper and then wrap the paper around the votive. Cut a length of ribbon and tie it around the jar. Tuck in a flower and you are all set! (At this point you can glue gun on a vintage button or tag...)
I think these are so charming. I can picture them on a table setting by everyone's plates, (Maybe add a coffee dyed tag with each person's name?) or simply tucked into a bookshelf near old photos and books...or, how about boxing one up in a see through acrylic box with a bow, and shredded book pages in the bottom for a hostess gift? They are perfect just about anywhere you want to add a bit of personality!


very nice hostess gift.
Posted by: laurie herring | May 15, 2009 at 09:11 AM
What a great idea! These would be very nice at each place setting on a dinner table. They are just charming.
Posted by: Farmlady | May 15, 2009 at 09:31 AM
Oh, those are just the cutest! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Debi | May 15, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Love them - would also be very cute using a piece of vintage music for the paper!
Posted by: Iva | May 15, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Soooo cute!! Love this idea!
Posted by: Vanessa | May 15, 2009 at 11:07 AM
These are absolutely fabulous - must have a go at these :)
Posted by: Debbie | May 15, 2009 at 01:01 PM
OH wow! I love this idea! I am having a garage sale today and went and yanked out the votive holders that I had in the sale to do this project! LOL...I really did!! Thanks for the great idea!!
Posted by: Sandra Boothman | May 15, 2009 at 01:07 PM
Oh I really like them so simple but very effective.... lovely idea...will be back to see if you have any more :)
Posted by: Lajoni | May 15, 2009 at 01:20 PM
What a darling little gift that would make. I'm always looking for simple easy to make crafts for giving! thanks!
mary
Posted by: mary | May 15, 2009 at 03:43 PM
These votives are so sweet and your blog is lovely.
I cannot believe I have not seen your sight before- I love it!! I have spent the morning looking at all your beautiful photos of past blog entries. I will be faithfully following from no on!!
blessings
mary
Posted by: mary | May 16, 2009 at 06:20 AM
oops that should have been now on not no on!! Typing is not my best feat (neither is spelling- is feat right??)
blessings
mary
Posted by: mary | May 16, 2009 at 06:21 AM
I just picked up 12 jelly jars for $1 {all 12} at a yard sale and I am now going to make these! Big Thank You from the bottom of my giddy heart!!!
LuLu
Posted by: LuLu | May 16, 2009 at 01:02 PM
Tracey, these are adorable. I have recently had this infatuation for dictionary pages and crafting with them. I will add these sweet votives to my list. I have a few pictures on my blog of the things I have done with dictionary pages. Check it out. Lori
Posted by: Lori | May 17, 2009 at 07:24 PM
Thanks.
These are very cute.
blessings, Barbara jean
Posted by: Barbara Jean | May 18, 2009 at 01:26 PM
Beautiful! Such a wonderful idea! Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Melanie | May 19, 2009 at 07:32 AM
I have made these as birthday gifts for people at work. I put one in a glassine bag (the kind you put candy in) tie with bakery twine and enclose a little poem I wrote. Everyone loves them and looks forward to their birthday candle. Thanks.
Denise
Posted by: Denise Heid | May 23, 2010 at 02:23 PM
Denise, thats a darling idea!!!!!
Posted by: Tracey Buxton | May 23, 2010 at 02:57 PM