Using plastic spoons to make a candle holder can be a fun project for candle enthusiasts, as long as it's done with safety in mind. Since plastic utensils are not fireproof, it's best to use them to decorate an existing candle holder, glass jar, or other container. There are many ways to do this, and most are easy enough for the kids to get involved with the craft.
Types of Plastic Spoons
No matter what your plans are for using plastic spoons to make a candle holder, you'll want to select the best spoons for the project. Plastic spoons come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including:
- Teaspoons
- Soup spoons
- Thick or thin plastic
- White or colored spoons
Ideas for Using Plastic Spoons to Make a Candle Holder
You can use your imagination to make pretty candle holders from plastic spoons, with these basic instructions. Keep in mind that the spoons should not be anywhere near the open flame of the candle, as they will melt and burn.
Decorating a Glass Jar or Candle Holder
For this project, you can use any kind of glass jar or candle holder, such as:
- Large or small mason jars (the type used for canning)
- Emergency candles, which come in a tall glass container
- Jelly jars
- Recycled glass containers from pasta sauce, pickles, etc.
- Existing container candles in plain glass jars
Supplies:
- Glass container
- Plastic spoons
- Heavy duty scissors
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Ribbon
- Small items such as dried or artificial flowers, decorative buttons, or candies
- Candle to fit inside the jar
Directions:
- Clean the container and dry thoroughly.
- If necessary, trim the handle ends of the plastic spoons with the scissors, so that they fit the height of the container without protruding above the top.
- Hot glue the spoons vertically onto the container, alternating them so that the bowl ends are opposite one another. (Place the first bowl end of the spoon at the top of the container, with the next one facing down, and so on - see photo above for placement.)
- Set the container aside for 30 minutes to allow the glue to dry.
- Tie colorful ribbon around the middle of the container.
- Hot glue decorative items into the bowls of the spoons.
- Place candle inside the finished jar.
If the candle you're using is very small, fill the bottom of the container with sand or craft glass first. Then set the candle inside, making sure that it fits snugly.
You can also add more decorative touches with glitter, paint, or other craft supplies.
Variations
You can change up the design of this candle holder by using different colors, shapes, or sizes of spoons, painting the glass jar with heat-safe paint before decorating, or consider making the spoons into "characters" first. Here are some ides to try out:
- Make people out of the spoons by adding fabric or paper clothing, drawing or painting faces on the spoons, and adding hair with yarn.
- Make themed people for holidays, such as a family for Mother's Day, witches for Halloween, or elves or angels for Christmas.
- Make these beautiful flowers out of plastic spoons to decorate your candle holder.
Themes and Scenes
You could also just use one or two decorated spoons to glue to your glass container, adding more detail to the jar with:
- Paints
- Construction paper
- Fabric or ribbon
- Shells, small stones, or craft glass
- Glitter
For example, a glass jar with sand in the bottom could be the start of a beach scene, with plastic spoon people, hot-glued shells, and blue paint on the outside of the jar for the water. Just be sure to trim the ends of the spoons if necessary so that they don't stick up above the rim of the jar. Remember to keep an eye on these candle holders (as with any other candles) when the candles are lit, just to be on the safe side.
Using your imagination, the possibilities for using plastic spoons to make a candle holder are endless. Try some of these ideas, or create your own! .
