I have a reputation to maintain for the most fun Mother’s Day gifts. This year, it’s DIY Concrete Candle Holders. Don’t tell my mom, though–she’s totally going to be surprised when I give her these for Mother’s Day.
Ok. So, I’m not always the very best at finding gifts in the store for mom.
No, it’s ok, you don’t have to look on me with pity–I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one with this horrible issue.
So, this year, instead of hitting the stores for my Mother’s Day gift, I made mom some DIY Concrete Candle Holders.
They’re not for her to DIY, let’s be very clear–that’s the opposite of a gift.
No, the KID makes the DIY Concrete Candle Holders, THEN gives them to mom.
See how that works?
Good.
Now, let’s get making, guys.
DIY Concrete Candle Holders
Supplies for the DIY Concrete Candle Holders
- Quick Set concrete
- Egg (shell)
- Cardstock paper
- Plastic bucket or pot to mix cement
- A stick to mix the cement
- Scissors
- Adhesive tape
- Craft wire – 16 gauge
- Craft pliers – cutting, looping, flat nose
- Paint and brush (optional)
Now, I did paint the edge of my DIY Candle Holders with a little gold paint–but you could paint the whole thing.
How cute would that be?!
Instructions:
- In a plastic bucket or pot add the concrete
- Add water to the concrete. The water/concrete ratio should also be about 50/50 but in case you cannot measure the ratio add a small amount of water at a time and mix. Do not add too much water at once and try keeping the mixture thick. Less water means more strength and less time to dry. Mix them really well using a stick. But too little water means it’ll crumble easily after dry, so make sure it’s the consistency of about pancake batter.
- Drain an egg by cracking the top side of the egg. Use a spoon to crack small proportion of the egg at the top and then carefully remove the top shell. Try keeping at least two thirds of the egg shell intact. Clean the inside of the shell and dry.
- Place the intact end of the egg shell on a stand so that it stays still. You can use a plastic bottle cap. I also used the adhesive tape to keep it upright and steady on the bottle cap. The egg will be the concrete container, so you want it fairly stable.
- Take a long piece of cardstock paper, about 2 inches wide and the length will depend on the size of the candle you want to use.
- Roll the cardstock strip and continue to roll or add more strips if required until reaching the radius of the selected candle. Once you’re done rolling the cardstock strip, wrap the side and the bottom of the rolled strip with adhesive tape. This will be the insert you use to make the hole in the candle holder for the candle.
- Fill about one third of the egg shell with the cement mixture. I found using a spoon was the easiest/least messy method.
- Put the insert (cardstock strip roll) right in the middle of the concrete-filled egg shell and push it in gently. The insert shouldn’t touch the bottom of the egg shell; there should be at least half an inch gap between the bottoms of the egg and the insert.
- Allow the concrete to dry 24-hours.
- Take out the cardstock roll first. Simply twist it from the top end and take it out gently.
- Then remove the egg shell carefully. This step might take a while, so take your time and remove the shell carefully.
- Take the craft wire and make a small loop at the open end by using looping pliers. Wind the wire around the loop to create a swirl pattern. Stop winding the wire once it reaches the widest part of the concrete egg.
- Pull the outer loops of the swirl pattern upward and keeping at least 3 loops at the bottom flat. This will be the candle holder stand.
- Place the candle holder on the wire stand. Place the candle in the holder, light it up and enjoy!
Now, here’s this fantastic photo tutorial to help you understand what I mean.
So, what do you think? Is mom going to love these DIY Concrete Candle Holders or what?!
If you’re planning on making these–totally go ahead and pin it now, so you don’t forget…because Mother’s Day iiiiiiiissss a little ways away yet…
