I love battery operated candles. I put them on throughout various rooms and forget about them. If I fall asleep, no big deal. I love the ones with timers that turn on and off automatically. It is such a pleasure to come home to flickering light. That being said I find them incredibly BORING, yawn. The stores only carry them in a few colors and styles. So I came up with this Battery Operated Vera Bradley Inspired Decoupage Candle Project and I am pretty excited to share it with you. No more boring battery operated candles!
This project is the next installment in the Vera Bradley napkin series (yes more to come). Our Vera Bradley Inspired Decoupage Pumpkins were such a hit, I knew I had to continue the napkin fun. If you're not a Vera Bradley fan, no problem! You can use this technique with ANY decorative napkins. Modern, floral, holiday, etc. I especially love the leopard print ones! Make these candles to keep or give. I guarantee you will look at battery operated candles in a whole new light!
What you will need:
Battery Operated Candles in White or Ivory (white is best).
Decorative Paper Guest Towels or Napkins big enough to wrap your candle (Higher end home decorating stores sell Vera Bradley, as well as in her stores and online. The leopard print napkins are by Caspari :www.casparionline.com they have many great napkins.
Mod Podge
Scissors
Foam Brush or Paint Brush
These white candles are from the dollar store, what a deal! The labels stick horribly though, so be prepared to pick the labels off. You can find other battery operated candles at Target, Walmart, Costco,or just about any store these days. Even my grocery store sells them.
Lets get started:
Trim off the border and any perforated edges on your paper napkins.
Lay your candle on your napkin and roll the napkin around the candle to know how long to cut, leave a little extra.
Use a pencil on the backside of the napkin to trace how wide to cut the napkin piece.
Or you can measure the height of your candle with a ruler.
Cut your rectangle.
Peel the inside white liner off of the decorative tissue.
Cover about 1/3 of the candle with Mod Podge.
Line up your tissue to the top of the candle and carefully roll the paper onto the candle. The tissue is delicate so smooth out any bubbles very gently. Be careful not to touch with sticky fingers or it will lift the paper off.
Continue adding Mod Podge and rolling the tissue out while smoothing making sure your paper stays even at the top of the candle. The tissue can wrinkle so smooth and pull it gently and rub your finger along creases and bubbles. The more you roll and smooth with your finger before it dries the less lines and wrinkles you will have.
When you get to where the tissue meets you will want to trim your extra tissue to join the seams as close as possible. Try to have very little overlap.
After the Mod Podge has dried awhile trim any excess length on the bottom of the candle. You can also run a little Mod Podge along the bottom of the candle and push any excess edge under. Any lose edges on top add some Mod Podge and smooth.
If by accident you do rip the paper, just peel it off before it dries and start over.
Let your candle dry then apply at least one layer overall of Mod Podge. The more layers you add the glossier it will appear and any wrinkles start to be less noticeable.
Enjoy your beautiful new and improved battery operated candles by day, and night!
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XOX,
The Rebel Crafter
My Husband's before and after Nerium photo at 6 days. Click on the photo if you want to check out my Nerium page. It is a great product with a money back guarantee. Use it for the month and return it on day 29 if you don't love it. But if you are like all my friends you will love it!
another great project! these would make such nice gifts!
ReplyDeletemmm love these. espesh cuz they don't go away! i've got 3 candles that are dwindling now cuz i use them too much. sad day. i foresee a ladies-in-night with these as the crafty activity :) <3 www.rubygirlblog.com
ReplyDeleteawesome idea - love it - my daughter is a vera bradley fan - this will make a great little gift for her
ReplyDeletei love you and all your works! <3 :D
ReplyDeleteThis is such a useful idea. Just in time for the Holidays. Thanks. Gotta join.
ReplyDeleteCan you use scrap paper and possibly do the same?
ReplyDeleteI am going to have to try this with scrapbooking paper and let you know!
ReplyDeleteOh, I really like these! So colorful & fun! Great job & super creative!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice follow-up to the pumpkins. I'm glad you've shown them lit, too. Can you get the napkins where ever VB items are sold?
ReplyDeleteYes the Vera stores carry the napkins, but surprisingly you have to ask for them. They did not have them out on the floor. Upscale home goods stores carry them too.
ReplyDeleteI love this project because the design possibilities are endless. A good site to check out is www.caspari.com. There are so many napkin choices! Geometric, floral, toile, leopard, zebra etc. You can pick your fancy. So fun!
You had me at Vera Bradley. ;)
ReplyDeleteWhich dollar store did you get them at? We have three (Dollar Tree, Dollar General, and Family Dollar). Our PTA is looking for homemade gifts for our teachers and I LOVE this idea!!! You have a new follower! :)
ReplyDeleteI got them at The Dollar Tree Store. You can make 2 candles out of one guest towel sized napkin. Each pack has 15 napkins so it is a very affordable gift!
ReplyDeleteI looked on the vera bradley website and they have luncheon napkins 20 to a pack. I did not see any guest towel sized napkins. Will the luncheon napkins work?
DeleteI will have to check my Dollar Tree immediately!! Also, I looked at the www.caspari.com link and it went to The Caspari Center for Biblical and Jewish Studies. :)
ReplyDeleteI actually wrote it down wrong. It is www.casparionline.com for the napkins, not caspari.com. Sorry my mistake! But that is very cool too! maybe they are related somehow.
ReplyDeleteYep, that worked! Thanks for the great idea! I am ready to pitch it to the PTA!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! I love it! I am now hooked to your craftiness and decided I had better follow this super cool blog! :)
ReplyDelete-Robyn from http://tipsfromtheheart.blogspot.com
You can also get a set of 4 larger candles with timers from Costco. I believe they were $20 for 4. You will need one napkin per candle for those. They are the leopard and blue paisley pillar ones shown in the photo.
ReplyDeleteThese are so pretty - love them!
ReplyDeleteWhere did you get the cool napkins from? I've never seen those. But I imagine any kind of thin paper would do. Even lace maybe.
ReplyDeleteThe leopard print are Caspari brand and you can get other beautiful ones from www.casparionline.com
ReplyDeleteThe Vera Bradley ones were from a Vera Bradley store.
I just saw some fun Waverly brand napkins at Walmart in Black and white leopard I am going to try!
I have tried making two of these, but mine are super wrinkled. :( On the plus side, I did find the candles at The Dollar Tree and the Vera Bradley napkins from their website. You can search for local stores and you want ones that say they have tableware.
ReplyDeleteOh no! It takes a little bit of practice. It took me one to figure out how to get them smooth. Make sure the inner liner paper is removed first. Make sure the paper is cut pretty close to the length you need. Try doing a very small section of Mod Podge to control it better. I find after I do a small section I let it dry just a little so its not sticky, then I rub the paper gently, almost pulling at it slightly to smooth. If you rub too hard they do rip so it is that fine line. Remove the wrinkly paper ones you just made with soap and water so you don't waste the candle. They do rub off. I hope the third times a charm!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThey aren't perfectly smooth but when you put the layers of Mod Podge over them it creates a glossier surface. I'll see if I can find another tutorial on tissue paper Mod Podge to see if there is a good way to explain how to get the paper smooth. :)
ReplyDeleteHere is one link addressing wrinkles.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.favecrafts.com/Techniques/Mod-Podge-Basics-from-Plaid#
I feel so badly for your frustration!
Heres another article where they discuss their tips for less wrinkles:
ReplyDeletehttp://alteredobsession.blogspot.com/2008/03/mod-podge-tutorial.html
My sister-in-law just picked up the paper napkins she is going to use for the family holiday get-together. I think I'll buy another package of them to make these candles as a hostess gift!
ReplyDeleteI am going to keep trying. They look good from a distance ;) Thanks for the tutorial links. I will check them out. I probably just need to take more time with them and be patient...which is really hard for me! :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck! I hope you can get them smooth enough. Decoupage can definitely be a bit time consuming. I like the projects when they are done, but I agree about patience, they aren't fast projects for sure. If you decide to scratch this project the 60 second earrings combined with the hair clips (you could do rose earrings and clips for example) or the Purse Sized Notebook Pad are very fast gifts as another choice :)
ReplyDeletethese are fun and so easy! I'd love for you to link this up to my linky party
ReplyDeletehttp://blissfulanddomestic.blogspot.com/search/label/Friday%20Link%20Party
This is super creative..I love it.. Very inspirational blog you have here.. So much creativity.. Officially following ya with smiles.. I'm Marilyn and will love for you to stop in sometime.. I have a Pin'Inspirational party happening right now I'd LOVE for you to link this to please..? TY so much.. Wishing you a great start to your weekend.. http://theartsygirlconnection.blogspot.com/2011/11/pininspirational-thursday.html
ReplyDeleteLove it !.. I have the boring flameless candles hidden amongst "stuff".. as they are simply just that....boring. But now I am going to jazz them up. Thankyou !!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! Love Vera Bradley!
ReplyDeleteWhat adorable candles! Thanks for sharing them at What's In The Gunny Sack. I wanted to let you know that I am featuring them today. Come check it out: http://www.thegunnysack.com/2011/11/whats-in-gunny-sack-features_19.html
ReplyDeleteHow chic! The holders look wonderful :D
ReplyDeleteVisiting from TT&J linky party,
Smiles from NW Illinois,
Suzanne
Those are awesome. I love love them. Thank you so much for linking up to last weeks show and share. Make sure to come back and link up this week with your latest project.
ReplyDeleteA mommy's life...with a touch of yellow
tyandwhitneyulrich.blogspot.com
I am curious about the Candles that are on a timer. Where did you get those? Great idea. I am pinning this right now!
ReplyDeleteThose are my favorite. You turn them on once and they stay on for 6 hours, turn off automatically, and come on and off again the same time after. They are also brighter, but are more money than the $1 store variety. I bought a set of 4 for $20 at Costco. I believe Target and Walmart also have the timer kind. Love the timer kind, they come on at 5 and off at 11pm at my house.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE these! Your site is super cute :)
ReplyDeletexoxo
The Craftinomicon
These rock! I want to make some like yesterday! I would just love it if you would share these rockin candles at http://www.projectpossessed.com/2011/11/27/spaahhh-sundaze-yoga-for-digestion-part-2/ Your newest GFC groupie.
ReplyDeleteWow these are so pretty! I have some (boring!) ivory battery operated candles in my family room. Cannot wait to give this a shot! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. I think I will have to go on a hunt for these. Would love to have some candles around and be worry free!
ReplyDeleteWhat size napkins should I get?
ReplyDeleteI used the "guest towel" sized napkins. You can make two little candles with this size, or one larger candle. The smaller cocktail or dinner sized napkins might work for the small candles, but for the medium or larger candle get the guest towel size.
ReplyDeleteThis is great! I have wanted to add candles to my daughter's room and this project will allow me to design a candle that matches her decor and is perfectly safe for a child's room. Thanks for the great post!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this lovely post! I have to try. Linked this post onto my blog today!
ReplyDeletecheers!
I used a hair dryer on the labels. Just moved it around the label for 15 - 20 seconds. Label peeled right off!!
ReplyDeleteThat is brilliant! I wanted to make a couple of the $1 candles in the leopard napkin print but dreaded the thought of peeling those labels off. So glad you shared this tip!
ReplyDeleteJust last night I saw the popcorn tin transformation and hit the stores for the napkins today. I found VB and other high end prints (and a damask one that is EXACTLY what I wanted) at TJ Maxx for less than $3 a pack. I can't wait to get started.
ReplyDeleteI <3 ur blog!! - Michelle
Hi and Happy New Year. Visiting from Think Pink Sundays link party. This is such a great idea. I've mod podged paper to regular candles before, and am always afraid to light them. What a "brilliant" idea. Looking forward to catching more inspiring ideas.
ReplyDeleteI just made these! What a great idea! Thank you for the idea! Mine turned out awesome!
ReplyDeleteCutest idea ever! Can't wait to try them! Thank you so much for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteAaaahhhh! You are so amazingly creative! Doing this as soon as I can get to Dollar Tree!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteOh wow--this is brilliant! Your candles turned out beautiful! I've shared a link to your post on my Facebook fan page! Keep creating amazing work!
ReplyDeleteCalled all Dollar Tree Stores here---they only have tealights---I want to do these for shower favors for about 30 people... Any other suggestions for getting them cheap?? RH
ReplyDeleteBummer, maybe they just had them for around Christmas. Those were by far the cheapest candles. Not sure if any others will be cheap enough to make favors for 30 people. Sadly I think the cost will go way up. Maybe check out the dollar party favor box project using the dresses. Those are only like 20 cents a piece. If I see any candles cheap enough I will post here for sure! Also make one of the candles first before you commit to 30. Some people love Mod Podge and others have issues with it. Mine look great, but they aren't real fast to make, so 30 would take a bit of time.
DeleteThank you!! Please email me: rhonda 03@graceba.net...
DeleteHow can I print instructions for candles??
ReplyDeleteIf you take an old spatula to the label it comes off easily :)
ReplyDeleteHey thanks for the tip!!
ReplyDeleteRhonda your email did not go through so hopefully you will check back here :)
You can just hit print on your computer and it will print the blog with the instructions. You will get all the recent posts though, just not the candle project. You can select just the pages you want to print by using your mouse to highlight those pages, then click print. Or my printer lets me choose "print select pages". If yours does too then click on only the blog pages you would like to print. Hope this helps!
Love these too! Like I said before....you have the best projects!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking them up!
--Katie
@ Creatively Living
these are beyond darling. love love love love love em...did you know that I love them. soooo on the hunt for extra candles & cute napkins now....thanks to you!
ReplyDeletec'mon by for a visit & join in the fun - our LINKY PARTY IS OPEN NOW!
www.NorthernCottage.net
Just featured these tonight on Tell it to Me Tuesday @ Creatively Living!
ReplyDelete--Katie
I really like what you did with these candles. I found you on Pinterest and have already made a copy of the instructions. I used to decoupage regular candles just for the look. Another place to find really great napkins/hand towels is "Tuesday Morning" which is a chain nationwide, but not in every town. Thanks for sharing. I'm happy to have found your blog.
ReplyDeleteI've seen these candles at the store before, but they just seemed so blah. Now I know how to dress them up. It makes me want to run to the store right now! Thanks for sharing at Terrific Tuesdays.
ReplyDeleteRachel
adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com
These are great and easy, I have used tissue paper, scrapbook paper and fancy Christmas wrapping paper I received and have been saving. I also found some decorative gift bag tags (found at Walgreen's) and added to the front of these candles. Here's a pic. Check it out. http://www.flickr.com/photos/9812536@N03/6980864003/in/photostream
ReplyDeletecan you do this with a real candle?
ReplyDeleteYes I think you can! :)
DeleteGreat idea! When flameless candles first became popular, I poo-poo'ed them. But now I love them because they're safe, non-toxic and don't melt away.
ReplyDeletegoing to the $ store as soon as it opens to look for the candles then off to get the other items I'll need.....it's been cold and raining here for a week so this will be a excellent project for me and my 11 yr old to do today..can't wait!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGo online to the Vera site and order sale napkins! :)
ReplyDelete