Every Christmas, I like to do something a little different in my dining room. Last year, I made sequined Christmas trees. This year, I wanted it to snow.
With the help of my son Zack, I created some super easy but beautiful candle holders for our centerpiece. I wanted to make them look as if they had been caught in a snow drift. It worked, huh?
You can create these in under 30 minutes, from start to finish. Just be prepared to have a huge mess on your hands if your 4 year old is helping you!
Supplies
- Glassware
- Mod Podge
- Paper towels
- Epson salt
- Glitter (optional)
- Tea light candles
1. Begin by pouring your Epson salt into a high sided dish. I used the entire bag (1 pound), although I probably didn’t need quite that much. We mixed in a bit of silver and red glitter (the Martha Stewart fine glitter is the BEST!), although that’s not entirely necessary – your candle holders will sparkle just fine without it. Mix together the “ingredients.”
2. Using a paper towel (or a foam brush if you are fancy), wipe a thickish coat of Mod Podge on your glassware. Be haphazard in your wiping – you don’t want to cover the entire surface with the Mod Podge to make the candle holders really look like snow blew over them.
*A note on glassware – You can use any sort of glassware that you have on hand. Mine are actually drinking glasses that I picked up at Target for about $3 for a set of 4. I think mismatched glassware from a thrift store would be gorgeous. Just remember that glass gets hot to the touch very quickly when it is heated.
3. Quickly roll your Mod Podged glass in the Epson salt, making sure to coat all sides.
3. Set aside and allow to dry. Mine took about 15 minutes to dry, but it could be more or less depending upon the thickness of your Mod Podge.
4. Place a tea light candle in the bottom of each glass. I always remove the silver tin from around the tea light because I hate seeing that little tin.
5. Light the candles and dream of snow.
Wouldn’t this be a fun project while the kiddos are out of school?
P.S. I’ll show you my whole dining room in a few days so that you can get the full effect…I just don’t want to give away my next project yet!
P.P.S. – I’m getting my craft on at Today’s Creative Blog!
love them!!
Those are awesome. I want to make some. Thanks for sharing.
Fantastic looking…kosher salt also gives a great snow/ice look.
Those are adorable…and what a handsome helper you’ve got…:)
Those are really cool! I love a clever and easy idea like that…..thanks for the tutorial.
I love them. Super easy, but really pretty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing.
What a great idea! And super easy and gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!
I love this! super cute!! I might have to try!
Love this idea! And I love that it’s a kid-friendly project that looks elegant when finished! Fun.
Simple and elegant. Thanks for such a great tutorial.
Diane
This is a terrific idea. They would make pretty hostess gifts too. Thanks for sharing.
Love this cute and easy project!
Love them! And it’s such a cheap and easy project.
Gorgeous!
This might sound ridiculous, but I’m going to have to check out Mod Podge. Yeah, still haven’t tried it! But I’d love to make some of these beautiful snowy candle holders.
These are so pretty. I was hoping to share them on my blog if that’s ok
)
Those are really beautiful! I’m thinking they would make a fun gift for my sister.
That’s it! I’m stopping at Dollar Tree on Friday to get some glassware to do this. Love it, thanks for sharing!
“Just remember that glass gets hot to the touch very quickly when it is heated.”
Do you mean when it’s heated when the candle is burning? I’m confused …
guess what i just found in my bathroom? epson salt! off to give this a try!
what a great idea! love these… they look great all lit up!
Wow those look great! I just happen to have some mod podge and epson salt! Woo let the crafting begin!
I love these so much Lindsay! What a fab idea, they look just like snow on windows, heart!!
xo
Kate
Brilliant Idea!!! I love it. I don’t like that little tin thing either.
Great idea! I’m going to try this!
Lindsay, Thanks a million for sharing this with us. I am
very happy you are parat of my family. God Bless all.
Love them and what a cutie you have!
Love this idea!! I cannot wait to try this myself. A little trick I learned waiting tables in a country club many moons ago, when using votive candles for the taller glasses fill the bottom of the holder with about a 1/4″ of water before putting the candle in. It will prevent the candle wax from sticking entirely to the bottom of the holder and make it easier to replace the candle when it has burned itself out.
Gathered some jars we keep in the cupboard various sizes and did this with my 7 year old daughter, we wrapped the tops with red velvet ribbon, they were easy, and turned out gorgeous!
Awesome to say the least.
As i am locked in the house because of heavy snow so i am trying all new stuffs that come up to my mind.
Keep creating good stuff.
what a great idea!!
Ahhh . . . the wonders of Epsom Salt. Happy New Year!
Hi Lindsay,
I love your idea for snow candles! I’m from your city also and although we didn’t get snow today they still seem appropriate. Happy 1-11-11!
I made these and wound up with very dull white candle holders. Not pretty and shiny once they dried. It also flakes off nearly as bad as glitter. I am tempted to sprinkle on some glitter and seal with spay sealer. Wonder if it would catch on fire?
Argh. Any ideas anyone?
Did the salt not stick to the mod podge? I’m trying to figure out what went wrong.
Hello. Yes, the salt stuck just fine. But when it dried, it was dull- big time. It is white, not the least shiny, and dull is all I see when looking at it. The salt on the outside flakes off.
Ruth
Gosh, I don’t know what happened, Ruth!
These look great! Awesome idea to use salt for snow
I’m making these today. I did a first as a “test case” and it’s really pretty with the candle burning inside. The only problem seems to be the salt coming off at the slightest touch. I’m guessing some just naturally sheds? I think I used a thick enough coat of glue.
Hi Debra- Yes, some if it will just naturally come off. Once they are in place, though, you won’t be moving them so they should be fine. Good luck!