How to Make Metal Candle Holders

Make metal candle holders from household items.

Candle holders prevent candles from falling over and starting fires, and also add interest to your decor. By making your own metal candle holders, you have the opportunity to customize them to your personal tastes. They can be further customized with personal embellishments.

Things You'll Need

• 12-gauge armature wire
• Round-nosed pliers
• Wire nips
• Taper candle
• Tin cans
• Grease pencil
• Awl
• Rubber mallet
• Pillar candle

Instructions

Wire Taper Holders

1. Nip a 2-foot piece of armature wire. Bend the wire at a 90-degree angle about 10 inches down from one end.

2. Turn the 90-degree angle in against the 10-inch horizontal length of wire. Wrap the 10-inch length of wire around the angle about three times to create a dime-size spiral. Continue coiling the wire, stacking it on top of itself, to create a wire cup about 1-1/2 inches tall.

3. Curl excess wire on the top of the cup into decorative curls. Bend the wire at the bottom of the cup into a wide, loose spiral that starts with a 2-inch circle and ends with a 4- or 5-inch circle at the base. This base holds the candle holder up.

4. Fit a candle taper into the wire cup. It should fit snugly without needing to be forced. If it is too big or too small, curl the coils tighter or push them out wider.

Tin Can Pillar Holders

1. Peel the label from a tin coffee can and wash off any adhesive residue. Draw designs like spirals, stars, moons or simple animals on the outside of the can in grease pencil. Fill the can with water and place it in the freezer overnight. This prevents the can from collapsing later.

2. Remove the can from the freezer and place an awl against one of the lines in your design. Tap the awl sharply with your rubber mallet to punch out your design. Work quickly and carefully to finish punching the design before the ice melts.

3. Set the can in the sink and let the ice can melt completely. Dry out the can and place a pillar candle inside. Light the candle; the flame should shine through the punched design.

References

• HGTV: Armature Wire Candle Snuffer and Holder
• Zen Stoves: Candle Stoves
• Diggin’ Food: Candle Lantern How To