I am guest posting over at Life in Grace with Edie today for her 12 days of handmade Christmas tutorials...go check out her blog, you will fall in love!
Don't you just love candles! I love them so much I light them year round. My husband comes home from work in the middle of the summer when it is 95 degrees outside, and goes around the house blowing out all my candles...and I follow right behind him relighting them all. I always buy candles that have a fragrance to match the season. Year round, I just cannot get enough of them. Well you can imagine my delight when I learned to paint and monogram candles. These lovelies make beautiful gifts: birthdays, baby showers, Christmas, weddings, etc. Here is what you are going to need:
Glass and Tile medium, black acrylic craft paint, and a tiny paint brush
A candle (my current favorite is this brand from Bed, Bath and Beyond). Candle manufactures come and go, as soon as I fall in love with one they will stop making it. Try out a few and see what works best for you. There are lots of great, affordable candles out there.
Now that you have your materials, print out a letter (or letter's' if you would like a triple monogram) off the computer in the font that you would like for your monogram. Position and center the letter on the candle. Hold the letter in place and trace the letter onto the candle with light, but firm pressure. I like to use the point of a mechanical pencil for this step because it carves a thin line onto the surface of the candle. Remember, some candles are softer than others, so take care to not press too hard which would result in large, deep lines in the candle.
Next, paint on a very thin coat of the Glass and Tile Medium over the monogram on the candle as shown below. This coat will dry slightly "milky" so be sure to use a thin coat. Allow about 15 or 20 minutes to dry.
Using your thin paint brush, paint over your carved letter with black paint. Keep your hand as steady as you can, and paint the letter to look as much like the letter you printed off the computer as possible.
Once you are satisfied, allow the paint to dry for at least 30 minutes before wrapping the candle. These candles look lovely wrapped in clear plastic cellophane wrap, tied up with festive ribbon. I keep lots of ribbon on hand, by simply changing the ribbon it becomes a great, unique gift for lots of different occasions.
Don't be afraid, you can do this! This is a simple way to create lots of affordable and personal gifts. People will love receiving them and they will enjoy many hours of the calming serenity that candlelight can bring into a home. Have fun!
Blessings to you all,
Posts
4 comments:
Thank you for the fabulous tutorial! I can't wait to give it a try. God's blessings, Sarah :D
Amy didn't mention that it takes a little practice. I have a candle that I "warm up" on. Well, honestly, now I just call her and have her make it for me-but in case you're not her sister, keep trying-you'll get better every time.
Mary, the paparazzi sister
What a great idea. I'm going to have to try it (on many, many "warm up" candles, I'm sure!).
I made one!!!! You rock! I didn't use the glass and tile medium. They didn't have any at Walmart and this was a quick birthday project to take to Germany with us. I hope it doesn't hurt it! What is the glass and tile medium for? It takes a very steady hand. My lines got bigger and bigger, but it doesn't look horrible! If you click on my name now, I think it will take you to my blog! I haven't done anything with it yet, but hope to get it going when I get back! I am in love with these candles and see many in my future!! Thanks Amy!
Kathryn
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