08 March 2010

Pure Style Project #9: How To Make Wax Drip Candle Covers for Your Chandelier

Hope you had a great weekend!  We painted the nursery, organized it (finally!) & I started hanging things on the walls.  wahooo!!  Our washing machine broke and our house got so trashed from working on the nursery and neglecting everything else,  that we decided to head over to my parents' house and do laundry & order pizza & watch movies Saturday night.  They'd gone out for the night so we got to relax in their newly finished basement (redone after the flood.) (For those of you who haven't been reading this blog since the beginning, Dave & I had moved into my parents' last year to save up for this house.  It was one of the best things we ever did, although at the time it seemed like an eternity.)  It was cool to be back in our old "home" (the basement) Saturday night and remember all of our saving & dreaming & planning for a new house and to realize that we were there.   

Also, I've decided that because so many of our projects are decorating-related and not necessarily organization projects, I'll include both.  (BecausetTicking stuff off of my "to do" list gets me more organized even if it is purely decor-related.)

For this week's project I wanted to share with you the wax drip candle covers we made.  The stark white candle covers always bothered me on our old chandelier.  (We'd had to rewire it and replace the old damaged candle covers that were oroginal to it.)  I wanted pretty wax drip candle covers. 



So we made glue drips down the sides of the 30 cent plastic covers with Elmer's Glue.  I let a layer of drips dry before starting another one.  Here's the first layer (below).  Just start at the top with a glob of glue and let it drip down.  (As you can see from the pics it was a learning process.)  And use something better than a paper towel as the surface...  it sticks to the candles.  ;)



Once they'd dried and I had enough layers, I painted them with a cream paint we had lying around:


Here's a close-up:


I'm really way more into the orangey-aged color of the one wax drip candle cover below on the left (It adds so much to a chandelier) but I didn't have the right paint lying around. 




 So here they are for now & when I get the chance, I'll be recoating in a more orangey paint & antiquing:



But so much better for now.  (At least I don't cringe when people look up & examine my poor chandy or I put pics up on the blog.)  So if you have any chandeliers that are in need of new wax drips, please join in and link up!!  

xoxo,
lauren

ps-  This project's at your own risk.  I didn't use heat resistant paint, which I'm sure would be the smartest thing to do...  We checked our covers (prior to painting) and they don't get warm so we went for it, but that's up to you.  :)

On a Crafty Scale, I'm probably above-average for normal people but below-average or average for crafty bloggers/ blog readers/ DIYers.  I get very impatient & sloppy and like quick & easy projects.  This was sooo easy.   

*update -  also I didn't come up with this myself-- I think I must've read it in a magazine a few years ago**  :)

23 comments:

  1. i have also heard of using a glue gun to create the drips.

    I like yours, you did a great job and it looks like you have to be very patient to do this as well!

    Hugs,

    Natalie

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  2. they look great. I have done this using a hot glue gun. Perhaps it dries faster? Then I painted with a little off white craft paint then glazed with a little RL glaze for that amber look. Yours look terrific!

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  3. Great idea, I will have to try it. Tin foil would work well, the glue should not stick to the foil..sandi

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  4. Girl, you have way too much time on your hands....tee hee. I do not have any chandeliers, but you do having me wish I did! (just to try this project!)
    pve

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  5. Clever clever girl. What did it cost you all told? 39cents?

    Way to do it!

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  6. This is one of those "why didn't I think of that ideas!" So clever and so simple. Love it. Thanks for sharing.

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  7. This is a great idea! Don't have a place to use it now, but wish I'd thought of it before I shelled out the big bucks (to me at least) for them for my lantern. Actually, it was worth it for the lantern, but the next time I find a rando chandelier on the side of the road, they are getting the Lauren Liess Special.

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  8. Get out! This is crazy, who would have thought!! They look great...got a kick out of the comment about the cost. Janell

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  9. Shut the front door! My poor chandy table lamp has been sitting for a year and a half w/o light covers. Thanks girl! I'm on it like Bond, James Bond.

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  10. Don't you love it when something so simple can make you sooo happy?! And... amaze you friends and family at the same time?! (or confirm for them that, yes, you have finally, completely lost your mind) Good job, Lauren! (on all counts, I'm sure)

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  11. What an easy DIY that makes a big impact. I love that just used simple glue, what a great idea!!

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  12. That is brilliant! What a great idea. I wouldn't have thought of that.

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  13. That's funny that you said you want them more yellow - we had yellow candle covers that already had drips on them on our chandelier in our bedroom, but we didn't like how the yellow looked so we spray-painted them white. :) but you've made me think about heat-resistant paint.. I didn't even think of that. I hope our chandelier will be ok! Eek

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  14. Awesome. I posted a DIY chandelier post last week and noted something needed to be done with the candle sleeves. This would complete the look I was going for!

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  15. These look amazing! I do not currently have a chandelier in my apartment but would love to try it at my parents house!

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  16. Lauren, you saved my bottom....line!

    as a shop owner am always seeking candle covers and only like the expensive "drippies". can't wait to try this!
    thank you
    xo
    debra

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  17. Lauren,
    I have been reading your blog for a while now, first time commenter. Can you tell me where to find those globe bulbs you are using here? They are awesome! Thanks

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  18. Very creative, I will have to give it a try!

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  19. love this project lauren! it turned out great! hope you are getting some spring weather soon in va. are you going to see the cherry blossoms? if so, take a million pics for me! i'll be very jealous. have a wonderful day! xo grace

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  20. Lauren,
    A girl after my own heart! Your covers look great! I demonstrated this same technique (with a glue gun)at TLPC last Christmas on decorative holiday window lights & exterior lighting. You are so right, heat resistant paint does matter.
    Isn't it the best when such a simple idea solves a big problem...for pennies!
    Always good to visit with you.
    Lisa

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  21. Would the warmth from the bulbs melt hot glue "drips?"

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I love hearing from you- thank you for taking the time to write!! :)

*If you have a specific question, I'll try to answer it in the comments section so be sure to check back! If you're looking at an older post, email me directly. Thanks!
~Lauren