Christmas table decorations.

 Helen Buckwell produces gorgeous handmade candles in vintage teacups. Her website is full of beautiful Christmas presents and you can hire her vintage crockery, have a look here.

She will be appearing on Lorna Milton's show on Tuesday 7th December at 3.30pm.  Listen here.
Here are her instructions for a personalised table decoration.
You can also buy Helen's candles at our fayre on Wednesday 8th Decenber at Berkhamsted Town hall 7.30-9.30

Project 1: Glitter covered candles (full coverage)

    
Equipment:

     Candle – shape of your choice

     Glitter – colour of your choice (silver in example)Wax for melting (from 3-4 melted tealights or flaked        soya  wax)

      Brown greaseproof paper
      Saucepan of bowling water

      Dish – to fit size of chosen candle.
      Foil (optional)

Method:
     Buy a candle of chosen size and colour (white used in example)

     Fill saucepan with water and bring to the boilPlace dish on top of saucepan of bowling water. If this is a     dish you want to protect then cover with foil

     Take either the flaked soya wax or tealights (with the metal case and wick removed) into dish

     Watch whilst the wax gradually melts – do not leave unattended

 
  Whilst the wax is melting cut a sheet of brown greaseproof paper and sprinkle glitter on it – enough to roll the candle in
     Once the wax has melted place your candle in the dish and roll it back and forth – be careful to hold the ends of the candle to avoid hot wax touching your hands

     Once the outside of the candle is slightly softened and has a thin layer of melted wax on it quickly place onto the brown paper and roll in the glitter to the required amount.

     Leave to set Project 2: Glitter covered candles (partial coverage
    
     Equipment:

• Candle – shape of your choice
  Glitter – colour of your choice (gold in example)
  Wax for melting (from 3-4 melted tealights or flaked soya wax)
  Brown greaseproof paper
  Saucepan of bowling water
  Jug – preferably metal
  

Method

• Buy a candle of chosen size and colour (white used in example photos)
• Fill saucepan with water and bring to the boil
• Place jug in the boiling water with handle hanging over edge of saucepan
  
  
  

  
  
• Take either the flaked soya wax or tealights (with the metal case and wick removed) and drop into the jug
• Whilst the wax is melting cut a sheet of brown greaseproof paper and sprinkle glitter on it – enough to roll the candle in
  
  

  

   
• 
  Once the wax is melted dip the bottom of the candle into the jug.
  
  

  

  
  
• 
  
  Quickly remove candle and roll in glitter
• Leave to set
  

Project 3: Glitter patterns on candle

Equipment:

• Candle – shape of your choice
• Glitter glue

Method:

• A variety of designs can be used – your imagination is the only limitation!
• Ensure you do not place the glitter glue directly on the wick or immediate surrounding area
• For the design in the attached picture (see picture 6):
  • Get green and red glitter glue
  • Place a series of evenly spaced dots around the bottom of the candle in green glitter
  • For the second row use red glitter glue and place a row of dots – staggered from the green row below
  • Repeat last two steps twice more, then complete a final row of green
  • At the top edge of the candle complete a row of green dots – again evenly spaced
  • Underneath create a second row of dots in red glitter – staggered again as before
  • Finish with a green row of dots once again staggered from the previous row