Have you ever wanted to spice up the outside of your candles with glitter, beads, confetti or other items? Some people have tried to use glue to do this, but there is an easier way. With a little bit of creativity, you can take ordinary cheap candles and turn them into something fantastic.

Items to Use

For the easy candle decoration method we are going to use, there are all sorts of great little items that can be used. This is limited really by your own imagination. Popular choices include glitter, confetti, colored sand, sequins, beads, flower petals and flower stalks and small pictures. Once you do this method a couple of times and get a feel for it, you will think of even more ideas. You are also going to need some greaseproof paper and hot water in a pan that is tall enough to hold the candle vertically.

Things to Think About

You can use a variety of items for this craft. If you plan on burning this candle, take care to understand if the items you are going to use to decorate are going to be flammable or throw off smoke. When using many of the decorations, the candles are either not meant to be burned, or the candle that is going to be used should be a wide one that just melts the wax around the outside and doesnt melt your decoration.

Lay Out Your Items

Take your greaseproof paper and lay it flat. The paper only needs to be a little taller than the candle and wide enough to wrap around the candle with a bit more to overlap. Now arrange the decorations for your candle on the greaseproof paper. Dont lay your items on too thick or overlap your items very much, since we are only very lightly sticking them to the sides of the candle.

Once your items are neatly arranged and secured as best as you can, grab your candle. Now slowly and carefully, roll your candle up in the paper. This is a key part of the process. When you roll up the paper, you want to make sure all your decorations are sticking against the candle. Wrap up the candle as tightly as you can. Once you have wrapped the candle completely, twist up any of the extra paper at the top and bottom of the candle to help keep it secure.

Dip Your Candle in the Water

Now take your hot water, which should be just about boiling or slightly boiling. Be very careful of the hot water so you dont burn yourself. Now hold the candle at the wick or at the top of the paper twist and lower it slowly into the water. Be sure to get the entire decorated area well into the water. Hold your candle there for about 30 seconds.

Now take your candle out and put it horizontally on a towel. Wrap up the candle a bit with the towel and start to roll the candle back and forth in the towel to help secure your decorations to the melted outside of the candle. Do this for another 30 seconds or so until your candle starts to cool down a bit. Now carefully unwrap your paper from the candle.

Done!

There you are, a beautifully decorated candle. If you get some stickyness or bumpyness on the outside of your candle, consider dipping your candle straight into the hot water again for a quick 5 seconds or so to smooth out the rough edges. Your skill will improve after doing this method a couple of times. These decorated candles make a wonderful gift and are perfect for weddings, baby showers, and around the holidays. Get creative!