How to Embellish a Candle With Bamboo

Although countries like China and India make many of their products from bamboo, its natural beauty has made it popular worldwide. Today, you can find bamboo clothes, accessories and decorative items. You can even use bamboo for simple decorative ideas, such as embellishing a candle. Use candles decorated with raffia for decorative purposes only. Do not light the candle, as the raffia can catch fire.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Candle
• Bamboo remnant
• Raffia
• Basket
• Pebbles
• Bamboo sticks
• Glue

1. Take an old bamboo blind, placemat or carpet and cut out a piece big enough to wrap around a pillar candle. For a 5-inch candle, cut the bamboo piece about 2 to 3 inches wide. It should cover about half of the candle. Find a neutral color or one that coordinates with the candle.

2. Wrap the bamboo piece around the candle and tie a few pieces of raffia over it. Tie a bow with the raffia to add a delicate touch.

3. Place a few pillar candles inside a bamboo basket. Fill the empty space with seashells, small pebbles, or potpourri. Tie some strands of raffia around the basket.

4. Cut small bamboo sticks about 3-inches long and gently affix around the candle. Apply a drop of glue to hold the stick in place. Cover the circumference of the candle with the sticks. Tie some raffia or ribbon around it.

5. Spray paint the bamboo piece, basket or raffia if you want it to match the decor in your home. Different shades of blue work well to create a tropical look.

Tips & Warnings

• It bears repeating: Use candles decorated with raffia for decorative purposes only. Do not light the candle, as the raffia can catch fire.