Stained Glass Candle Holders

One thing all holiday traditions seem to share in common is a focus on light. Candles are a part of many celebrations in December.  A fun way to get kids involved is a simple project that uses recycled glass jars, tissue paper and glue to make votive candle holders with a stained glass effect.  

Collect glass jars in various shapes and sizes - jelly jars, spaghetti jars, canning jars, just be sure they are glass as the candle flame could melt plastic.

Collect tissue paper in a variety of colors and cut or tear into small pieces.  This can be tissue left over from gifts or new tissue purchased at the store.  

You will need about a tablespoon of elmer's glue or other "school glue" and about 2 tablespoons of water.  

Mix the glue and water in a cup or dish and brush the watered down glue mixture on your jar.  Begin adding pieces of tissue, allowing them to soak up the glue and adhere and shape around the jar.  Add another layer of wet glue over the tissue to seal the pieces to the jar.  You can layer colors and enjoy color mixing effects.  For the last layer of glue it may work best to dab with the brush to avoid smearing the paper around the jar.  

Allow jars to dry and place a votive or tea light inside and enjoy the warm colorful glow.  

A quick tip for lighting the candles - if your jar is deep and a match won't reach - you can light the tip of a stick of raw spaghetti and use it as a long match to light the candles.  Always have parent supervision with candles and be extremely careful!

Kathryn Horn Coneway is the Director of Art at the Center, a studio for children and families in Alexandria, VA.  Visit www.artatthecenter.org to learn about our schedule of winter classes.  

Join us December 22 from 5-7 pm for Light Painting a free community art event.  Bring a flashlight, a friend and a new unwrapped toy or book for donation to  families in need in our area.