How to Use a Wine Bottle as a Candlestick

A beautiful, cheap and bohemian option for home decor is to use an empty wine bottle as a candle stick. Over time, the wax will drip over the bottle and create a gorgeous, old-world antique look. They make a beautiful addition to any home and they stand as a testament to all the fun and fabulous times you've had in the glow of their candle light. Here's how to make them!

Instructions

1. Get a bottle. If you're not a big wine drinker, go check out your local recycling center, or go to your local package store and ask if they have any empties from a tasting event or the like. If you like to drink wine, start paying attention to the bottle when you make a purchase. The more interesting shapes and colors you can collect, the more your collection will really stand out.

2. Empty the bottle. Empty of all alcohol and make sure to give it a good rinse. Leave all the labels on the bottles; it makes for a more interesting candlestick.

3. Prepare the candle. Most long thin candles are just a little bit too big to fit snugly into the bottle neck, which works well because it prevents the candle from dropping into the center until the very end of the candle life. Light a tea light, and start rotating the very end of the candle over the flame until the wax starts to run off.

4. Fit the candle. Press it into the bottle neck opening; it won't get very far on the first try, but it should peel up a layer of wax and create an outline of the bottle. Remove the peeled up layer so the candle is smooth again with an indents for the inserted end.

5. Repeat. Repeat steps three and four, reheating, refitting, and removing the excess wax until the candle is a quarter inch to a half inch within the bottle neck. This should be a very tight, snug seal; if the candle feels wobbly, do it a little further down and melt wax along the neck to really seal it.

6. Straighten it. Make sure to check the candle is straight up. This will ensure the wax drips relatively evenly, which is crucial to a really beautiful bottle.

7. Replace the candle. When the candle is burned out, the wick and remaining wax should fall right into the bottle itself, allowing a perfect track for the new candle to go into. Use the same color to build layers of wax, or alternating colors for an impressive rainbow.

Tips & Warnings

• Always observe proper fire safety. These become very tall, and while they are fairly stable, they can be knocked over.

• If you are planning an outdoor party, fill the bottle with sand before inserting the candle for a more stable base.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish