Simple, Gorgeous Gift Candles

Katie Brown
·Editor in Chief
Updated
diy pillar candle gifts wrapped in copper wire accented with chestnuts and maple leaves
diy pillar candle gifts wrapped in copper wire accented with chestnuts and maple leaves

Supplies

  • Chestnuts

  • Copper wire

  • Fall leaves

  • Clear silicon gel

  • Pillar candles

Tools

  • Wire cutters

  • Paintbrush

  • Drill and Drill bits

  • Needlenose pliers

Get Started

1. Brush a layer of silicon gel over both sides of the leaves, covering them completely.
2. Drill through the center of the chestnut with a small drill bit. (You could use a nail and hammer to make a hole through the chestnut, but make sure the chestnut is semi-soft and won’t split in half when hammering.)
3. Spread 3-4 leaves into a fan with the tops of the leaves in different directions.
4. Center the leaves on the pillar candle.
5. Secure them with copper wire, circling the wire around the candle twice. (Leave enough room at the top of the candle for the candle to burn a few inches without hitting the leaves)
6. Twist the wire together to hold, leaving approximately 5 inch tails.
7. String a chestnut onto one of the wire ends, and slide it down onto the center of the leaves.
8. Pull the second tail over the outside of the chestnut and string it through. 9. Twist the wire tails together with needle nose pliers to secure. (The twist should be small and delicate.)

Hints and Clues:
Silicon gel is a heat-resistant material that protects the dry leaves from the heat of the flame.

Collect and press your fall leaves so that they become flat. You can keep them between layers of cardboard until you need them! 

Leaf edges may still curl after pressing, but; that adds depth and dimension to the design.

Sidebars: Look for antique flower and leaf presses at flea markets…nothing works like the old ones!

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