Candles

We were rather lazy, and bought the candles from discount stores, but, if you're enthusiastic, you could make your own candles

Candle with flowers and Ornament

See photo

You will need:

• A large(ish) church candle
• Dried or artificial flowers
• Double sided tape
• Paper ribbon
• Christmas decoration (two bells work well)

1. Cut a piece of paper ribbon, long enough to tie around the circumference of the candle.
2. Use the double sided tape to fix the paper ribbon to the back of the candle. Tie the first half of a reef knot.
3. Tie the first half of a reef knot, slip the string of the decoration over the paper ribbon (you may need to shorten the string so it sits neatly), and tie the secod half, inserting the flowers between the two half hitches.
4. Trim the ends of the flowers. The decoration should partly cover any ends that stick out.
5. If you like, you can use some craft glue, or a hot glue gun to secure all the bits in place.
6. Trim the ends of the ribbon to the length you want, and you're done!

Dried Flower Arrangement

See photo

This is a bit more complicated, but looks very effective.

You will need:

• Medium sized church candle
• A flower pot (15-20 cm high)
• A square of oasis
• Dried flowers (natives like tea tree and eggs and bacon work well)
• Wire
• Masking tape
• Glue

1. Cut the oasis so that it fits in the flower pot. Make sure it's secure (you may want to glue it in place).
2. Cut 4 pieces of wire (about 5 cm long), space them evenly around the base of the candle, and tape in place with the masking tape.
3. Insert the wired candle into the centre of the oasis.
4. Stick the dried flowers into the oasis, around the candle. Start from the base of the candle and work outwards. Use different shaped pieces to create the shape of the arrangement you want.
5. If you like, you can tie a ribbon around the pot.

Painted Candles

See photoThese are the candles after their first coat of paint.

You will need:

• Small(ish) candles
• Spray paint
• Gold Paint
• Paint brush
• News Paper

1. Set up the newspaper on the surface you intend to use. Have some means of holding the candles upright while they are drying (eg blue tack, or a line with pegs).
2. Spray paint the candles, and leave to dry. Try to avoid drip marks.
3. When dry, paint the candles in random patterns with gold paint. The one we used formed little beads on the wax, but they dried and created a nice effect.
4. When the gold paint is dry, put the candles in a candle holder, or tie a group up in some nice ribbon as a gift.