Beginner Guide to Easy Clay Candle Holder Ideas You Have To Make
Bring a quirky twist to your candle holders with these adorable designs!
I had so much fun creating these candle holders and I am confident that you can easily make them as well. I love making DIY things but I am in no way an expert. Even if you are not super artsy, these simple clay candle holder ideas are beginner-friendly.
Handmade candle holders make such cute decor for your space or they make great gifts!
All you need are some budget-friendly craft supplies and a sprinkle of creativity to create these unique DIY candle holders!
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How to make clay candle holders
This simple project doesn’t require too many things to bring it to life but fair warning it might take a couple of days to complete.
Constructing your piece may only take an hour or so but then you have to let it dry and come back to decorate it.
Clay candle holder items needed:
- Air-dry clay
- Acrylic paint (gouache works too)
- Paint brushes
- Clay tools or use items you already own
- Bowl of water and sponge
- Modge podge
- Taper candles
- Baking sheet or other flat surface to dry them on
- Optional: rolling pin or cookie cutter.
Drying time: 24-48 hours depending on humidity or if you use the sun or a blow dryer to speed up the drying process. Be careful with these techniques so your pieces don’t crack!
Simple Clay Candle Holder Ideas
1. Stacked coil candle holder
- Start by rolling out your clay into evenly shaped coils.
- Stack each coil on top of the other to see how high you want your candle holder to be. (make sure it is high enough to support the weight of your candle)
- Flatten out a piece of clay and cut it into a circular shape.
- Begin to make small scratches on the outer rim of your circle (also called scoring the clay).
- Begin stacking each coil on top of each other to create the walls of your candle holder.
- Every time you attach a piece of clay be sure to score it and use a bit of water as well since it acts like glue.
- Use your sponge and water to smooth out the surface of your candle holder.
- Leave it to dry for 2-3 days.
- Paint it however you prefer!
- When the paint is done drying, use a new paintbrush to cover your candle holder with Modge Podge to seal in your paint and make it glossy.
- Once dry, put your candle in the holder, light it, and enjoy!
2. Twisted coil candle holder
- Start with two larger pieces of clay. Roll them into two thick coils.
- Lay the coils next to each other. Begin to twist them together.
- Flatten a smaller piece of clay to create the base of your candle holder. Cut it into a circular shape.
- Score the bottom of the twisted coil and the top of your circle so they stick together. (scoring is small crisscross scratches that help lock the clay together)
- Use your sponge and water to smooth out the surface of your candle holder.
- Leave it to dry for 2-3 days.
- Paint it however you prefer!
- When the paint is done drying, use a new paintbrush to cover your candle holder with Modge Podge to seal in your paint and make it glossy.
- Once dry, put your candle in the holder, light it, and enjoy!
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3. Heart candle holder
- Roll out a flat piece of clay. Using a clay tool or toothpick cut out a heart shape.
- Roll out another piece of clay that is relatively thick. Cut this piece into a long rectangular shape. Wrap it around your candle to measure the right size. Cut off any excess clay.
- Score the bottom of the circular clay and the area on your heart where you will attach the cylinder. (scoring is small crisscross scratches that help lock the clay together)
- Use your sponge and water to smooth out the surface of your candle holder.
- Leave it to dry for 2-3 days.
- Paint it however you prefer!
- When the paint is done drying, use a new paintbrush to cover your candle holder with Modge Podge to seal in your paint and make it glossy.
- Once dry, put your candle in the holder, light it, and enjoy!
4. Peach candle holder with mini leaf candle holder
- Start with a medium-sized ball. Roll it in between your hands with a bit of water to smooth it out.
- Cut a small slice out of the side to create a more natural peach look.
- Using a smaller piece of clay, flatten it out and cut it into a leaf shape. Cut a small line down the middle of it.
- Score the bottom of the leaf and the area you want to place it on the peach. (scoring is small crisscross scratches that help lock the clay together)
- Use your sponge and water to smooth out the surface of your candle holder.
- Leave it to dry for 2-3 days.
- Paint it however you prefer!
- When the paint is done drying, use a new paintbrush to cover your candle holder with Modge Podge to seal in your paint and make it glossy.
- Once dry, put your candle in the holder, light it, and enjoy!
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5. Pretzal candle holder
- Scoop out a medium-sized ball of clay.
- Create a large coil and roll your hand over it so that it is smooth.
- Lay your coil out flat and shape it into a U shape. Twist the ends together. Fold the twist downwards toward you.
- Score the bottom of the ends and the top of the bottom part of the pretzel to attach them together. (scoring is small crisscross scratches that help lock the clay together)
- Use your sponge and water to smooth out the surface of your candle holder.
- Leave it to dry for 2-3 days.
- Paint it however you prefer!
- When the paint is done drying, use a new paintbrush to cover your candle holder with Modge Podge to seal in your paint and make it glossy.
- Once dry, put your candle in the holder, light it, and enjoy!
Don’t forget to test out the weight distribution of your candle holder and taper candle so that it doesn’t fall over. Always keep an eye on it when lit!
Clay tealight holder ideas
I wanted to include some inspiration if you are not a fan of taper candles and prefer tea-light candles.
These clay crafts are also beginner-friendly and you can use the same techniques listed above to make the tealight candle holders below!
Pinch pot candle holder
These simple candle bowls are perfect for beginners!
Simple pinch pots are great because there is plenty of space to add your own unique designs.
Flower candle holder
Rather than the hearts from above, go with flowers, stars, or even a circle for a base.
Single coil candle holder
If the stacked coiled candle holders are too tricky, a simple one-level coil is the perfect alternative.
Polka dot candle holder
Imagine these at dusk as the candlelight pours through the holes!
Such a simple design but I’m sure they look gorgeous at night!
Simple Clay Candle Holders
I hope you feel inspired to get started with air-dry clay to make a unique home decor piece or a gift for a friend!
If at any point in the process, you don’t like your creation, don’t be afraid to start over.
Since candle holders are small you will have plenty of clay left over. I only used about a third of my clay container on all 5 candle holders. You can also buff off wonky edges once your clay is dry.
Best of luck on your crafting day and enjoy!
Have any other clay candle holder ideas? Let us know in the comments below! I’m sure others in the community would love to learn from you as well.
Stay well,
Maggie
This post was all about clay candle holder ideas.
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