Watch it Wednesday: Merry + Bright Candles (+ a giveaway!)
It’s Watch it Wednesday, and you know what that means…yep, I have a video to share with you! Today I’ll be showing you how to make a candle that looks like it was stamped on — but it really isn’t! — plus some tips for working with stamps like the poinsettia where the stem touches the flower and adding shading with colored pencils.
Here are the projects — inspired by Shari’s “shabby chic” Challenge:
And here’s the video:
Here are some extra candles that I made — this technique is so easy that once you start you just don’t want to stop! Plus the candles smell really good. Mmmmmm, cinnamon.
Supplies:
- Sparkle Poinsettia
- Poinsettia Bloom
- DesignBlock Poinsettia and Birds
- Special Edition Good Cheer Message
- Felt Poinsettias
- Small Blossom Gems
- Red Gemstones
- Christmas Queue
- Crimson, Kraft Notecards
- Pearl Combo
- Other: various candles, white tissue paper (use tissue paper, not facial tissue like Kleenex), ribbons (American Crafts, May Arts), twine, colored pencils (Prismacolor)
Tip: I’ve only tried this technique by stamping on white tissue paper — I have a huge package of it that has lasted for years. I think you could use colored tissue paper as long as it matched the color of your candle. But I never bothered since the white works so well.
Another tip: I’ve burned candles that I’ve created with this tissue paper technique before without problems. But whatever you do, don’t leave burning candles unattended…!
One last tip: I’ve found that the best candles to use for this technique are the least expensive ones. The pricier ones don’t seem to melt as well — must be whatever they do to make them burn longer.
Enabling alert! ALL of the poinsettia stamps + the felt poinsettias are HERE in the Hero Arts Online store!
Now I think it’s time for a giveaway! Three lucky winners will win a package of Felt Poinsettias + the Sparkle Poinsettia stamp! To enter, just leave a comment on this post with a random stamping fact about yourself. I’ll announce the random winners on Friday. [Update: The winners have been announced HERE.]
Here’s a random stamping fact about me: The first thing you notice when you walk into my stamp area will either be a crazy apron with multi-colored splotches all over it hanging on my bookcase OR a huge mess. Once I get started stamping I tend to have papers and stamps all over my desk and even the floor — ha! I usually end up trying to work in all huddled in a tiny postage stamp sized area. I’m trying to learn to put things away as I finish with them or decide not to use them, but so far it’s not working — my husband shares the room with me and he has given up and just laughs at it. Well, except for the time I got glitter all over his cell phone — never try to apply glitter with the ceiling fan running full blast…!
Okay, enough random facts about me — now it’s your turn!
Tomorrow I’ll be announcing my pick for the “Win a Day” on the Hero Club Blog contest — WOW what a tough decision!
Until then,
Filed under: deckthehalls
sarah
I like making cards because it is an easy way to accomplish something that connects you to other people. I always like sending some fun, encouragement etc to those i care about.
Shelagh
Hi,
Just love the candle! I plan to make a stack of these for Xmas gifts - they are so beautiful yet simple to do. Thank you for sharing this technique.
Mary
Thank you for showing how easy it is to make the candles.
I definitely will use the candle techniques shown to make Christmas presents this year.
And the felt poinsettia is super cute.
Mary
Karen
Karen D I love making cards i find it very relaxing and when friends phone back and thank you for their card it made their day knowing someone cared enough to send it thats what i enjoy most
a fritz
The best thing about making cards……….is giving them…………the best gifts/cards are homemade, from the heart.
Love Hero Arts Clear stamps.
af
a fritz
The best thing about making cards………is giving them away…….the best gifts/cards are homemade fromt the heart.
I love Hero Arts Clear Stamps.
af
laura holt
I LOVE making cards - from the birth of the idea, then the planning, picking out stamps and papers, smiling with anticipation as I picture in my mind the person receiving it and their reaction, finishing it off with a couple of well-chosen embellishments, initialing the back with a flourish just like a REAL artist, writing a personal comment inside, and finally, stamping on the envelope a special little something to tweak their curiosity as they spot it in the stack of bills and credit card applications.
I LOVE people, and - did I mention?……………I LOVE making cards!! I guess the two kinda go together!
Wendy
How cute! I have done this technique on candles before, but never thought to embellish the stamped image with colored pencils. It makes a HUGE difference. Thanks for taking this project and giving it a new twist!
Beth Buss
Excited now about getting going on Xmas items! Classic styles are always in.
Loved the video, can’t wait to try this method. Thanks, Beth
Lindsay
I’ve been making these candles for a few days - ever since I saw the video. I’m having real problems getting the tissue paper on and not wrinkling - my candle all look funky and knobbly. Not quite what I had in mind… *grin*
Lisa, do you have any tips to keep the tissue flat when heating, and making sure the candle surface stays smooth?
I have, however, got a FANTASTIC response from everyone’s who’s seen my Perfect Peal candles. I use the Hero Arts large background swirl stamp, apply the perfect medium, then roll the candle over the stamp. While it feels like it’s slipping and sliding, the image is remarkable clear. I then coat the entire candle in 1 colour of pearl dust. The stamp stands out, but the whole candle gets a beautiful metallic sheen. If you just keep brushing the powder off, static keeps enough on the candle to let you handle it gently without leaving fingerprints on it.
I haven’t managed to take photos yet, but am planning to soon, and will post them if people are interested.