We enjoy entertaining family and friends outside during the summertime season. You’ll often find us hosting a backyard barbecue or poolside family get-together. I decorate the inside and outside of our home in a beach and coastal theme. I was looking through a few home decor magazines and spotted simple looking tealight candle holders that I fell in-love with.
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In this one magazine they had the candle holders listed for $19.99 per three pack. After seeing them I knew I could make them for much less! I headed to my local Dollar Tree and picked up 2 for $1.00 clear glass tealight candle holders and a 4-pack of battery-operated tealight candles for $1.00. Everything else I already had at home (hot glue gun, glue sticks and small seashells).
I washed and dried the glass tealight candle holders to remove the sticky price tag and dust. Once they were dry I used my hot glue gun to glue the jute roping around the perimeter of each glass candle cup. I left the top edge bare as I wanted some of the candle light to shine through at night. I placed the rows close together but not over-lapping. I went around the entire circumference of each one.
After digging through my seashell container I opted to use small clam shells to decorate the cups. I wanted a simple look so I hot glued just one onto the front of each one. You could certainly add a lot more seashells or do any pattern that you like. I wanted a simple, rustic and clean look to mine. Let them sit for 2-3 hours to really allow your hot glue to bond with the surface before using them and moving them around.
Each one took me less than 20 minutes to make, so you can certainly whip up a slew of them in one afternoon. I think they would be cool wedding or bridal party favors sitting on tables during an outside reception! I’m using mine on our table out on our back deck right now and they look adorable when displayed indoors too!
They don’t give off much light since they’re tealights, but they do have a nice glow. I found some mini starfish in my seashell box, so I’ll be going back to Dollar Tree next week and picking up a few more. I think mini sand dollars, starfish, anchors, sea glass, faux pearls, etc. would look just as adorable. A really quick, easy and super-affordable project!
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This candle holder is simple , yet fits in perfectly with the coastal theme. It would be much more expensive trying to buy it in a store or online.
This is such a pretty idea! Thank you for the idea!
Very pretty! I like the battery-operated tealight candle. I didn’t know Dollar Tree had them. I’ll be picking some up next time I go.
This is so cute and elegantly simple. I really like them. Thank you for the idea and instruction.