How to Make Tea Light Candle Holders

Create simple holders for your tea lights.

Tea light candles can create soft, romantic lighting for your home. Scented varieties can release pleasant fragrances into the air. Due to their small size and aluminum housing, tea lights can fit almost anywhere and rarely drip wax that can damage surfaces or clog candle holders. There are many ways to make tea light holders, but fire safety should always be a primary concern.

Things You'll Need

• Baby food jar
• Sand
• Tea light candle
• Colored copper wire
• Wire cutters
• Flat file
• Round-nose pliers

Instructions

1. Fill the bottom of a glass baby food jar with 1/2 inch of sand. This insulates the bottom of the jar and keeps it from heating too much, thereby protecting the surface you set it on and surrounding the flame with a fire marshal-approved nonflammable substance.

2. Press a tea light candle into the center of the sand until the bottom 1/16- to 1/8-inch is buried. This helps keep your candle centered even if the surface your holder is on vibrates.

3. Cut various lengths of colored copper wire, available at craft stores, and file off any sharp ends left by the cutters. Wrap the wires around the jar's neck for decoration. Curl the ends into spirals and other shapes, as desired, and press them flat against the sides of the jar.

Tips & Warnings

• In addition to copper wire, you can use other heat-resistant materials to decorate your tea lights such as metal charms, sea shells or coins.

• Make sure the brand of baby food jar you use has a wide enough mouth for your tea lights. If not, jelly jars and custard cups make good substitutes.

References

• Up to Ten: Paper Candle Holder
• Interactive Learning Paradigms Incorporated: Fire Safety and Fire Extinguishers