How Do You Make A Clay Candle Holder At Home?

Clay candle holders are decorative holders made from clay that are used to hold candles. They are handcrafted by shaping clay into different designs and then baking the clay to harden it. Clay candle holders have become popular home decor items because of several benefits they offer over candle holders made from other materials:

– Clay is an inexpensive, easy to work with material that can be shaped into endless creative designs from geometric shapes to detailed sculptures. This allows you to make one of a kind candle holders that fit your style.

– The clay can be customized with textures, stamps, stencils, paints and glazes to create different effects. This allows for unlimited customization.

– Clay is sturdy and durable. Properly fired clay candle holders will last for many years.

– Clay candle holders are heat resistant and protect surfaces from candle wax drips and scorching.

– Clay candle holders can be made in any shape and size to fit different candles from votives to pillars.

– Handmade clay candle holders add artisanal charm to a space that cannot be replicated with mass produced holders.

Materials Needed

Making a clay candle holder at home is a fun and easy craft project. To get started, you will need the following supplies:

• Clay – Polymer clay or air-dry clay work best. Make sure you have enough clay for the size and shape of holder you want to make.
• Rolling pin – Used to roll out the clay into an even thickness before cutting shapes.
• Cookie cutters or household items for shaping – Cookie cutters, jars, glasses, etc can be used to cut shapes out of rolled clay.
• Baking sheet – To bake polymer clay candle holders on.
• Glaze – An acrylic paint glaze adds color and shine. Select a food-safe glaze if using the holder for real candles.

These basic supplies are all you need to craft a one-of-a-kind clay candle holder! Make sure to have a clean and dry surface to work on. Now let’s get started shaping and decorating the clay.

Preparing the Clay

Before you can shape the clay into a holder, it’s important to properly prepare and condition the clay so it has the right consistency for molding. Start by taking the clay out of its packaging and kneading it with your hands on a clean, flat surface. Work the clay between your palms and fingers, pressing firmly to warm it up and make it more pliable. Remove any hard or dry chunks and keep kneading until the clay is smooth, soft, and free of cracks.

Once conditioned, use a rolling pin or acrylic rod to roll the clay out to your desired thickness. Around 1/4 to 1/2 inch tends to work well for basic candle holders. You want the clay thick enough to keep its shape when holding a candle, but thin enough that it’s easy to mold and shape. Roll in different directions and flip the clay slab over periodically to prevent sticking and ensure even thickness.

Shaping the Clay

Once you have prepared your clay by kneading it, you can begin shaping it into the form you want for your candle holder. Many people like to use cookie cutters or other household items to cut shapes out of the clay. Press the cookie cutter firmly into the clay to cut out clean shapes. You can make several cutouts and arrange them together to form your candle holder.

If you don’t have cookie cutters, you can shape the clay freehand into whatever form you’d like. Roll balls or coils of clay and attach them together, pinch and pull the clay into shape, or flatten it into a slab using a rolling pin. Get creative with the shapes!

As you shape the clay, smooth any rough or uneven edges by gently rubbing with your fingers. Try using a dab of water to help smooth cracks and seams. Shaping the clay well will help give your finished candle holder a polished look.

Adding Decorations

Once you’ve shaped your clay candle holder, it’s time for the fun part – decorating it! There are endless options for personalizing your creation and making it your own. Here are some ideas for decorating your homemade clay candle holder:

Stamping: Using rubber stamps and stamp pads, you can easily imprint patterns, textures, words, or designs onto your clay. Stamped patterns like polka dots, stripes, flowers, or leaves can add visual interest. Look for stamps with deeper grooves, which will imprint more cleanly into the clay.

Carving: While the clay is still soft and malleable, use knives, toothpicks, skewers or other carving tools to manually cut designs into the surface. You can carve freehand shapes, patterns, letters, and more. This takes some practice, but allows you total creative freedom.

Adding beads or gems: For sparkle and shine, you can press beads, gems, sequins, or other embellishments into the surface of the clay while it’s still soft. Opt for beads with large holes so the clay can grip around them. This adds beautiful texture and dimension to your holder.

Get creative and combine techniques too! For example, you can stamp a pattern onto the clay first, then go back and carve part of the design away to reveal the plain clay underneath. The options are endless, so decorate your heart out!

Baking the Clay

Once the candle holder shape has been formed and allowed to dry and harden sufficiently, it is ready to be baked in the oven. This hardens the clay fully and sets the shape. Baking should be done according to the clay manufacturer’s instructions, as baking times and temperatures can vary.

In general, oven baking temperature for clay ranges from 275°F to 300°F. Bake the clay holder for 15-20 minutes per 1/4 inch of thickness. For example, if the holder is 1 inch thick, bake for 60-80 minutes. Bake the holder on the center rack of the oven to ensure even heating.

Check on the holder periodically while baking. Once the clay has hardened fully, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool completely before applying any glaze or decorations. Cooling should be done gradually to prevent cracking and breakage. Let the holder sit out until just warm to the touch before handling.

Applying a Glaze

Applying a glaze to your clay candle holder is optional, but can give it a nice finished look. There are many types of glazes to choose from.

Glazes come in a variety of colors and finishes like glossy, satin, or matte. Popular glaze options include:

• Clear – gives a transparent glossy finish
• White – provides an opaque, bright white coating
• Metallic – adds a shiny, chrome-like effect
• Speckled – contains colored flecks for interest

When applying a glaze, use 1-3 thin, even coats depending on the glaze instructions. Allow each coat to fully dry before adding the next. Too many thick coats can cause drips or cracking.

Once the final coat has dried, the glaze will provide a smooth, protective layer over the clay that brings out the colors underneath. Your homemade candle holder will look professionally finished!

Assembling the Candle Holder

Once all the clay pieces have been baked, it’s time to assemble them into the finished candle holder. You may just have a single base piece, or you may want to attach other decorative pieces as well. Here are some tips for assembling a multiple-piece candle holder:

Make sure all clay surfaces that will be joined together are free of any dust. Wipe them clean with a dry cloth.

Use a high-quality clay glue specifically made for bonding baked clay. Regular household glues won’t adhere the pieces together properly.

Apply a thin layer of clay glue to the surfaces to be joined. Too much glue can cause oozing or make a mess.

Press the clay pieces firmly together and hold in place for 30-60 seconds. Some clays may take longer to form a strong bond, so refer to the glue directions.

If desired, use toothpicks, popsicle sticks or clay sculpting tools to add extra support and hold pieces together while the glue sets fully. This can be useful for delicate or vertical pieces.

Allow the glue to dry fully before handling the assembled candle holder, usually 24 hours. Avoid putting undue stress on the joints before the pieces have bonded completely.

Once fully assembled and dry, you can add any final decorative touches, like painting or glazing. Enjoy your homemade multi-piece candle holder!

Inserting the Candle

Once the clay candle holder has cooled completely after baking, it’s time to insert the candle. It’s important to ensure a tight fit so the candle stays in place. Here are some tips for getting a secure hold:

• Measure the diameter of the candle and the opening of the holder. The candle should fit snugly but not require too much force to insert.
• If the candle is too small, build up the sides of the opening with a bit more clay. Let the clay dry fully before testing the fit again.
• If the opening is too small, carefully use a knife or sandpaper to remove clay and widen it slightly. Go slowly to avoid over-widening.
• Don’t force the candle into an undersized opening as this can cause the clay to crack or break.
• You may need to sand the bottom of the candle slightly to create a perfect fit.
• Test the fit often until the candle can slide smoothly into place without wobbling.

Achieving a tight friction fit will prevent the candle from toppling over. The candle holder is now ready for displaying and enjoying!

Displaying the Candle Holder

Once your homemade clay candle holder is complete, it’s time to find the perfect spot to display it. Here are some tips for placement and safety:

For tabletop use, place the candle holder in the center of your dining table or on a side table in your living room. The glow of the candle will create a beautiful ambiance. Just be sure to place it on a heat-safe surface since clay can get warm.

If displaying on shelving, pick an area away from drapes, papers or anything flammable. Leave at least 12 inches of clearance on all sides. Also avoid placing near air vents where drafts could blow the flame.

Never leave a burning candle unattended. Make sure to blow it out before going to sleep or leaving your home. Supervise children and pets around lit candles.

Consider pairing your clay candle holder with other homemade or store-bought decor pieces in complementary colors and textures. Experiment with different candle sizes and types for varying effects.

With some creativity and safety precautions, your homemade candle holder will make a wonderful decorative accent in any room.