DIY Candle Tutorials

I’ve always wanted to make candles, but I also didn’t want to get screwed on the prices of the various candle kits in craft stores. Luckily, the interweb exists, and tells you basically everything you need to know! So YAY!

Pioneer Thinking has an awesome list of just about everything you can think of when it comes to making candles. Check it out!

Oh yeah – MyCraftBook has a good list as well.

Cajun’s Candle and Soap Making Supplies has step-by-step candle making instructions.

Let’s Make Candles has a ton of information about candles.

Matt Freedman KNOWS what he’s talking about! Check out his videos on candle making.

Click on the photo to get the tutorial.

Tutorials:

I printed out the CraftZine tutorial, so we’ll see how it goes.

If you know of ANY other examples or tutorials, please comment below so I can add them to this list. Thanks!

DIY Christmas Recipe Tutorials

I absolutely hate making ‘boring’ food, as I enjoy calling it. If I’m gonna bake, the end result has to look like something! This post includes a ton of recipes that serves as an edible display that is interesting to look at. I think I may need to borrow my fiance’s nieces to make some of these some weekend!

I just love these recipes – they all look yummy and really fun to make! Click on the photo to get the how to.

For a huge list of Christmas desserts from Family Fun, check out their Delicious Christmas Desserts Recipes

Contents:

• Appetizer Tutorials
• Candy Tutorials
• Cookie Tutorials
• Cupcake Tutorials
• Donut Tutorials
• Drink Tutorials
• Marshmallow Tutorials
• Popcorn Tutorials

Appetizer Tutorials:

Candy Tutorials:

Cookie Tutorials:

Cupcake Tutorials:

Donut Tutorials:

Drink Tutorials:

Marshmallow Tutorials:

Popcorn Tutorials:

If you know of ANY other examples or tutorials, please comment below so I can add them to this list. Thanks!

DIY Christmas Decoration Tutorials from Lowe’s

Oh, but Christmas decorating is ON! I absolutely LOVE Lowe’s Creative Ideas – so I thought I’d share them here!

Here is Lowe’s main Holiday page for outdoor decor and a bunch of other fun: Lowe’s Creative Ideas

YAY Christmas!

They will probably delete their awesome ideas after the season is over. And, that’s not fun. I mean.. I need to keep a constant list! So.. I’m gonna basically copy and paste their stuff into this blog, so we can all have access to the awesomeness FOREVER! I’m only gonna put in the stuff that I think it worth mentioning, which is most of it. Ready?! Go!

I also did this for their Halloween Decoration Tutorials. Check it out if you’re into DIY-ing!

Because this post is so long, here is a table of contents! If you want to jump to a certain subject in this post, hold down your CTRL key while pushing the F key, and type in the subject below that you are interested in!

Contents:

• Nuts and Bolts Christmas Tree
• Light and Bright Artwork (Snowflake)
• Chunky Chic Candle Pillars
• Twinkling Towers
• Clay Pot Nutcrackers
• Copper Christmas Tree
• Holiday Card Wreath
• Mantel and Railing Card Display
• Interior Doorway Garland Card Display

Nuts and Bolts Christmas Tree:

This idea brings simple elements like pine craft boards, nuts, washers, and a bolt together to create a contemporary, Scandinavian-style Christmas tree. The look of the piece is fully customizable with its movable branches and millions of decoration possibilities.

Skill level: Beginner

Rough cost estimate: $69

Tools You’ll Use:

• Tablesaw
• Dado blade set
• Hacksaw
• Drill
• 3/8″ drill bit
• 7/16″ drill bit
• 1-1/8″ spade bit
• Glue
• Clamp

Lowe’s List:

• 24″ x 3/8″-16 threaded rod/bolt
• 12 3/8″ x 2″ x 24” select pine craft boards
• 1 1″ x 2″ x 6′ pine board for the base
• 2 3/8-16 T-nut for the base
• 23 3/8″-16 hex nuts
• 43 3/8″ x 1 1/2″ washers
• MinWax Green Tea water based stain
• LED Tea Lights
• Assorted mini ornaments

Build the Base.

To make it extra sturdy, we used two “X”-shaped bases and secured with T-nuts.

Step 1: Cut the 1″ x 2″ x 6′ board into four 16-inch-long pieces.

Step 2: For all four pieces of wood cut half-lap joints: Using a table saw with a dado blade, cut a 3/8-inch-deep by 1-1/2-inch-wide (or the actual width of the board) groove for a flush fit. Center the groove 7-1/4 inches from either end. Glue and clamp the half-lap joints together.

Step 3: Drill 3/8-inch hole in center of each base.

Step 4: Using a hacksaw, cut the 24 inch threaded rod to 19-1/2 inches.

Step 5: Using a 1-1/8 inch spade bit, drill a circular groove 1/8 inch deep in the center of each base piece to accommodate the T-nut.

Step 6: Stain wood if desired.

Step 7: Thread base pieces onto rod securing each base piece with a T-nut.

Cut the Branches.

Step 9: Cut the 12 pieces of select pine craft boards into the following branch lengths (there should be two of each length):

• 18 inches
• 16-1/2 inches
• 15 inches
• 13-1/2 inches
• 12 inches
• 10-1/2 inches
• 9 inches
• 7-1/2 inches
• 6 inches
• 4-1/2 inches
• 3 inches

Step 10: Drill a 3/8 inch hole in the center of each branch.

Step 11: Drill holes to cradle ornaments. Drill 7/16 inch holes 1/2 inch from the end of 10 to 12 branches to cradle ornaments.

Step 12: If desired, stain the branches.

Step 13: Build the tree by screwing parts in this order: washer, nut, washer, pine branch, repeat. Start with the 18-inch-long branches and finish with the 3-inch-long branches. Top with nut only. Decorate with LED tea lights and small ornaments.

Light and Bright Artwork:

Skill level: Beginner

Rough cost estimate: $78

Tools You’ll Use:

• Table saw
• Paintbrush
• Screws
• Awl
• Stapler Gun

Lowe’s List:

• 2 1″ x 2″ x 8′ boards
• Canvas Drop Cloth; 4′ x 5′
• 3 strings of 50 LED lights
• 2 D-Rings
• Valspar primer
• White interior paint
• Gold spray paint

Step 1: Build the frame. Cut the 1″ x 2″ x 8′ boards into four 39-1/4 inch boards. Make a square frame using butt joints. Use screws to attach boards together.

Step 2: Create the canvas. Cut drop cloth to 46 inches square. Staple the canvas to the frame.

Step 3: Prime the drop cloth with interior primer.

Step 4: Paint the drop cloth with white interior paint.

Step 5: Tape the snowflake pattern (PDF) to canvas using painter’s tape. If this link stops working, feel free to contact me, as I’ve saved the PDF file and can send it to you.

Step 6: Spray paint the exposed canvas around the snowflake with gold spray paint.

Step 7: From the back of the canvas, use an awl to carefully poke holes for the string light bulbs. We used 150 LED lights.

Step 8: Insert LED light bulbs through the holes.

Step 9: Attach 2 D-Rings to the back of artwork. Hang in desired spot.

Chunky Chic Candle Pillars:

Lowe’s List:

• 4″ x 4″ x 8′ fence post
• Minwax Polycrylic
• LED pillar candles (2.87 inch; 5-inch)

Step 1: Cut a 4″ x 4″ x 8′ fence post into four sets of the following lengths: 4 inches; 8 inches; and 12 inches.

Step 2: Sand all surfaces of the wood smooth.

Step 3: Seal pillars with Minwax Polycrylic to bring out the natural grain of the wood.

Step 4: Top with LED pillar candles (2.87 inch; 5-inch).

Twinkling Towers:

I WILL be doing this one – but a little differently! I’ll be posting a tutorial of my own soon.

Reuse your summer tomato cages to create sparkling decorations.

Step 1: Stack three cages, and bind them together using 14-gauge wire.

Step 2: Apply white spray paint to a 6-gallon metal can and to the tomato cages.

Step 3: Decorate the cages with wire and Christmas ornaments.

Step 4: Attach C9 Christmas lights around the top of the cans using hot glue.

Step 5: Drill holes in the back of the cans, and run extension cords from the lights to an outlet.

Step 6: Place the cages in the cans, and fill in with white pebbles.

Step 7: Use wire to form a star and attach to the top.

Clay Pot Nutcrackers

Make your own toy soldiers from tiny clay planters.

Step 1: For each nutcracker, select five 4-inch planters, and wipe them clean.

Step 2: Spray-paint one planter black and one planter beige. Use red, navy blue, and green for the remaining planters. Allow to dry.

Step 3: Stack the planters as shown here. Secure them with a small amount of hot glue. Using utility scissors, cut a 7/16-inch round wooden dowel to 20 inches long. Thread the dowel through the planters’ drainage holes.

Step 4: With a pencil, sketch the nutcracker’s face, buttons, and belt. Paint the features with hobby brushes.

Step 5: Tie several pieces of jute twine around the top of the dowel to create a tassel for the nutcracker’s hat.

To find a stencil for the nutcracker’s features, click here. If this link stops working, feel free to contact me, as I’ve saved the PDF file and can send it to you.

Copper Christmas Tree:

Skill Level: Beginner

Rough Cost Estimate: $13 per tree

Rough Time Estimate: 20 minutes

Materials:

• copper tubing (1/4-inch x 10-foot)
• assorted holiday ornaments
• ornament hooks

The holidays are all about being with friends and family, and sharing the traditions of the season. December’s Unwind & Design project is a great way to decorate for the holidays while spending time with others. Create a mini tree from copper tubing, and then add your favorite ornaments to make it your own.

Step 1: Take one end of the copper tubing, and shape it into a large circle that will serve as the base of the tree. Continue shaping the tubing into smaller rings. Leave approximately 18 inches at the top of the tree for the star topper.

Step 2: Stretch out the coiled rings to form the tree.

Step 3: Shape the remaining 18 inches of tubing into a star pattern.

Step 4: Decorate with small ornaments if desired.

Good to Know: When the holidays are over, the copper tree will collapse back into a coil for easy storage until next year.

Holiday Card Wreath:

Skillset: Beginner

Rough Cost Estimate: $40

Rough Time Estimate: 1/2 day (includes drying time)

Materials:

• 1 (50-foot-long) roll of ½-inch riser flex pipe
• Utility Knife
• Plastic Clothespins
• Primer
• Silver Spray Paint
• Purple Spray Paint
• Construction Adhesive for small projects
• Silver Ribbon

Step 1: Using a utility knife, cut a 6-foot-long piece, a 3 1/2-foot-long piece, and a 3 1/2-inch-long piece of riser flex pipe (found in the plumbing department).

Step 2: Make a large circle with the 6-foot piece of pipe and a smaller circle with the 3½-foot piece, using flex tees to hold each circle together.

Step 3: Connect the circles at the flex tees using the 3 1/2-inch-long piece of pipe.

Step 4: Prime, and let dry. Spray-paint plastic clothespins and the pipe wreath. (We used purple paint for the wreath and silver paint for the clothespins.) Allow to dry.

Step 5: Using construction adhesive for small projects, attach the clothespins to the wreath, as shown.

Step 6: Suspend the wreath using ribbon, and use the clothespins to hold your cards in place.

Mantel and Railing Card Display:

Skill Level: Beginner

Rough Cost Estimate: $40

Rough Time Estimate: 2 hours

Materials:

• Lighted Pine Garland
• Red Beaded Garland
• Ribbon
• Ornament Hooks
• Shatterproof Ornaments
• Hole Puncher

Step 1: Swag lighted garland and red beaded garland along the railing of your staircase using ribbon tied into bows.

Step 2: Make a larger bow to place at the bottom of the staircase.

Step 3: Use a hole puncher to make a hole in the corner of each holiday card.

Step 4: Attach the cards and ornaments to the garland using ornament hooks.

Interior Doorway Garland Card Display:

Skill Level: Beginner

Rough Cost Estimate: $50

Rough Time Estimate: 1 hour

Materials:

• Garland
• Suction Hooks
• Paper Clips
• 2 Bows
• Shatterproof Ornaments
• Poinsettia Lights

Step 1: Hang garland at the top of the door frame using suction hooks.

Step 2: Tie bows to both ends of the garland.

Step 3: Use paper clips to attach your cards to the bows and garland.

Hope you enjoyed the post! Let me know if you try anything – I’d love to know.

Photo and Idea Credits: Lowe’s Creative Ideas