I love sharing how to make candles of all types – from dipped candles to rolled candles, soy to beeswax, etc. But sometimes it’s easier to use little votive candles you already have on hand. I feel like I always have a stash of these in the junk drawer just in case.
So, today’s edition of Make This will take you through making these modern, painted candle votives for just about any occasion: the holidays, Mother’s Day, a housewarming party, a wedding. You name it – these DIY votives can adapt to pretty much anything, which is great. But the best part about this DIY is actually the price. About $5 worth of plaster and $5 worth of tealights will make roughly 50 completed votives. That makes each votive $0.20 to make from start to finish. Does it get any better than that?
Supplies:
- powder plaster (available on Amazon)
- plastic container for mixing
- silicone square mold (this is the exact one I used)
- tea lights (available on Amazon)
- acrylic paint and paint brush
- metal or wooden spoon
- matte medium (optional)
How to make your own:
Written step by step instructions below images…
1. Scoop powdered plaster into a small container and mix with water according to directions.
2. Stir water and plaster mixture until you achieve desired consistency, which should be similar to pancake batter. Plaster sets very quickly, so you will want to work fast.
3. Pour mixture into square mold or gently scoop the mixture in with a spoon.
4. Wait 2-3 minutes for it to start to set up. While it’s setting up, remove the candles from the metal shell they sit in. And place one in the top of each square. Then add coins or other small heavy objects to weigh it down, so it say in place.
5. Set aside and allow the plaster to harden for at least one hour (dry time may vary).
6. Carefully remove the plaster numbers from the mold one at a time and let them finish air drying for a full 24 hours.
7. Now that your numbers are completely dry, you can seal them with matte medium (optional) and then begin painting them.
8. Wait for the votives to dry completely, add the candles back into the tealight shells and you are done.
There are so many uses for these little guys. You could give a set of votives to your mom for Mother’s Day, use them as a housewarming gift for a friend, or turn them into cool wedding favors.
Or keep them all for yourself.
Want more DIY ideas? Click here.
60 comments | Click here to reply
Thank you Jackie. It seals the plaster, to make it more durable.
Brittni-Brittni
Beautiful! Question: what does the matte medium do?
JackieHi Ann. I think you could pretty easily remove the shell as well….If you want to do that, I would recommend spraying some cooking spray on the outside surface of the shell before placing it inside the wet plaster for step 4. This should make it easier to remove when the plaster is dry and then you can pop any votive in and out whenever you’d like. Hope that helps.
Brittni-Brittni
These look so nice! Before I give it a try, I’ve got a question: Do the aluminum tins from the tea lights (the “shells”) always stay in the holders? Or, are they removable somehow? I would think that it would be easier to be able to switch out the whole tea light (including its metal shell) once it has burned out.
AnnThank you!
These DIY votives are super cute! They look easy enough for kids to make and would be great DIY teacher presents for kids to make for their teachers.
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BrittniHi, do you think that the silicon mold will work with concrete?
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15 Ingenious DIY Candle Holder | HipHomeMakingYou can use gloss or matte medium if you’re looking for a sealant.
BrittniWhat kind of sealer did you use here? I have plans to use these in my wedding. Have been looking a an inexpensive way to scatter tea lights all over the tables. Thanks for sharing!
Lexiany of you know the name of matte medium in Spanish?
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dipped dye kaarsen | het WoonschriftThanks Claire. I don’t think it matters what kind of plaster is used. I bought mine from Hobby Lobby in the kid’s craft section. So, it seems that any kind (no matter how inexpensive) will work.
papernstitchLOVE this idea! Does it matter what kind of plaster to use? Or could you tell us what brand you used?
claireSuch a neat idea. Thanks for sharing.
RebecaRT @papernstitch: @FunctionalGirl I sure do… This votive DIY is super budget-friendly http://t.co/e7pGSP6DFr each one costs about 20 cents to make
@FunctionalGirlAwesome Sherry! Love that idea. Makes the project even easier.
papernstitchI used colored plaster instead of painting saved myself. Step, you can use god color and change the color of your plaster I did! Had fun dong it!
SherryWonderful!
nerminThank you very much!
Happy Days!
This is wonderful!! I love this perfect project and will do it this week!
Karenaxoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Beautiful!!!!
Nice day 🙂
Nuria Vert et FoncéThanks Zina. And speaking of amazing…that first yellow dress from Etsy on your blog right!? Love it!
papernstitch[…] painted plaster candle votives from scratch by yours […]
6 DIYs for your Weekend | Paper & Stitchamazing!!!! I love it!
ZinaMoms love candles. You love mom. So make some candles for mom’s day! #DIY how to: http://t.co/UnzEER9JrY
PlanetReuseMrkt (@PlanetReuseMrkt)Thanks Julia. I’d love to know how it turns out for you if you try this DIY.
papernstitchsuch an awesome DIY! love that and can’t wait to try this as well * all the best julia
julia I mintlamettaHi Christie. It just seals the plaster, making it less porous when painting. It didn’t make a big difference for my votives, but I like to have that option. Just in case.
papernstitchLooks like a super fun project! Does the matte medium make a big difference on the outcome? What exactly does it do?
ChristieThanks Rachel. You should definitely throw a party so you can make these. 🙂
papernstitchHow clever! I want to throw a party just so I can do this DIY 🙂
Rachel | 52 Weeks ProjectAwesome Lemonade Budget! Let me know how they turn out.
papernstitchI love this idea, so simple but effective. I’ve been looking for some sort of candle holders I can put out in the garden without worrying about them being blown over and smashed (which is what usually happens), these would be perfect! Xx
Lemonade BudgetAw, thanks Dusty. 🙂
papernstitchSo adorable! As always, you DIYs are inspiring! Thanks you for sharing.
- Dusty.– Dusty.
Well, thanks Jane. So glad you found me.
papernstitchI just found your blog through Designlovefest and will be following you. your content is stellar! I’ll take note of the votive idea for a rainy day.
Best,
JaneJane
Oh, a watercolor ombre effect would be perfect for this project! Thanks for stopping by Lorraine. Your blog is great! Just checked it out.
papernstitchOoo love these! Thinking of doing some watercolor inspired ombre colors. Thanks for the idea!
Lorraine | Harvesting Love EventsThanks Steph. Yep, definitely love those lightbulb moments. And speaking of love…I love your ‘Fresh Flowers Idea’ roundup from today – so many pretty ways to use flowers. And thanks for including my project!
papernstitchAmazing – and easy! – Modern DIY Candle Votives on a Budget http://t.co/4WAbMKvKKm via @papernstitch
Stephanie Gerber (@henryhappened)Brittni, these are so cool! And I love it when that lightbulb moment happens 🙂
Stephanie @ henry happenedThanks McKenna, Juni and Coffee mornings. They were so fun to make. I think I have a new addiction.
papernstitchThis is brilliant!
www.coldcoffeemornings.blogspot.co.uk
Coffee morningsthese look great! definitely bookmarking this post for my next party
juniThese are beautiful! I absolutely love how you painted them too. xx. McKenna Lou
McKenna Ryanwww.lynnandlou.com
Thanks Kel! I have these all around my house right now. Wish I had a housewarming to go to so I could unleash some of these. Ha!
papernstitchThese are awesome!! I love the idea of using them as a housewarming gift!
Kelly @ Studio DIYSo cute! RT@papernstitch Make This: Modern DIY Candle Votives on a Budget: The other day, I accidentally made today’s http://t.co/jgekftJJSu
Geri (@thelanguidlion)RT @papernstitch: Make This: Modern DIY Candle Votives on a Budget: The other day, I accidentally made today’s… http://t.co/995yf78Yux
@hthrvghnMake This: Modern DIY Candle Votives on a Budget: The other day, I accidentally made today’s… http://t.co/995yf78Yux
Brittni Mehlhoff (@papernstitch)