My mom refers to my daughter as the “light of her life” (she says the same about my brother’s son) so what better way for her to remember her little beacons than to decorate her home with their smiling faces… on a candle. Photo candles—-they are the next picture project we’re working on this holiday season.
If you are visiting this blog for the first time, I’ve been spotlighting a number of ways you can display your favorite pictures and simultaneously create a treasured gift this holiday season. Today’s project is photo candles.
For the purposes of this blog I am using Christmas as a theme, but you could give these photo candles as anniversary, birthday or wedding gifts. All you need is a special occasion appropriate photo to display on the candle.
For example, if you were making a photo candle as a wedding gift you would feature a picture of the bride and groom on one side of the candle and a copy of their wedding invitation on the other. Or you could create a unique birthday candle by using a photo montage of the birthday boy or girl and light it on their big day year after year.
These are decorative candles so appropriate photos will work for any special occasion. Also, since you will be using paper copies of your photographs and placing them on the outside of the candle, which burns down the center, you don’t have to worry about your featured photo going up in flames.
What You’ll Need:
· Large pillar candle. (Preferably six inches or taller with a diameter no less than five inches.)
· Rubbing alcohol and cotton ball
· Photocopy of your favorite picture. It needs to be about an inch smaller (total) than the candle.
· Decoupage medium or acrylic medium
· Paintbrush
Directions:
First, clean the candle with the alcohol. Then, apply one even coat of glue to the back of the photo. Next, press the photo onto the candle and hold it there until the glue sets. While you’re waiting for the adhesive to dry use your fingers to smooth out any creases or air bubbles. When the glue has dried, coat the picture and the entire surface of the candle with three coats of the medium. (Let each coat dry before adding a new layer.) Once the adhesive has completely dried I like to add a few embellishments such as dried flowers, beads, glitter, sequins, ribbons, etc.
Be creative. You could also spell the person’s name at the top of the candle. For example, for the candle I made for my mom, which features a picture of my daughter and nephew, I wrote “GRANDMA” with glitter glue right below the ribbon trim.
Related Articles:
Making Christmas Ornaments From Your Favorite Photographs
Fun Photo Project: Photo Flowers
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Fun Photo Projects—Thank You Cards
Creating A Fabulous Photo Wall
Photography Potpourri—-NO To “Cheese” and YES to Hats