Candle jewellery par moi

Bruno Pelletier‘s voice is floating from my iDock singing songs of the holiday season. My favourite Christmas album of all time takes me back to a dark, snowy street in Old Montreal. I was surrounded by friends walking toward Notre Dame while the holiday lights twinkled. The highlight of the evening was a performance by Bruno and the Montreal Symphony. He was doing two gigs – recording both. Eventually they became the album that is now putting me in the holiday mood. Two unforgettable evenings. Two outstanding shows in a beautiful setting.

Those moments are the inspiration for the candle jewellery I’m making. The completed set of 4 LED candles will become my holiday centre piece this year. I’ve guests coming for dinner at the end of the month so my table must say, “Welcome friends. I have missed you.”

I do not recommend dressing a traditional candle. The jewellery becomes a fire hazard. LED candles have become very sophisticated, covered in a layer of wax so that they fell like the real thing. They run on batteries, and because the “flame” is created by an LED bulb, a grouping of candles doesn’t produce heat. Great for entertaining.

Select your candles. Measure their circumference. Choose a ribbon that is wide enough to make a statement, but doesn’t overwhelm the candle. Cut a piece of ribbon about one inch longer than the candle’s circumference. Also cut a piece of cardstock the same length. Using double sided tape, stick the cardstock to the candle within the top third. Using your glue gun, glue the ribbon to the card stock.

Now you get to do the fun part. Cut a piece of ribbon for the bow. You’ll want to wrap some wire around the centre of the bow. Cover it with a piece of ribbon once you have twisted the wire ends together at the back of the bow. Attach 3 pieces of chain of varying lengths to the bow with the twisted wire.

After, attaching to the chain some charms or beads, use your glue gun to attach the bow to the ribbon you wrapped around the candle. That will hide the wire and the ends of the chain nicely. Be careful. Don’t let the weight of the chain and charms drag the bow off the ribbon. You’ll have to weight for the glue to dry, before you can set the candle upright.

Repeat with each candle. Et voila – a bejewelled candle centrepiece.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas began playing.  Bruno’s timing has always been impeccable.

Joyeux Noel mes amis.