Thursday, March 13, 2014

Upholstery Tack Candles

Today I have a very quick and easy tutorial for you. Upholstery Tack Candles! Those little tacks can add so much rustic charm to a candle.

Upholstery Tack Candles

Although this was a really easy project, it didn't start out so well. In fact, I almost put it in the failed file. You see, the first time I tried to insert the tacks, this was the result:

Upholstery Tack Candles

The tacks broke the candle into chunks. I mentioned my complete failure to my husband and he said "Why don't you get a lighter and heat up the tacks? Then they will melt the candle as you put them in." Genius!

So that's what I did.

Want to try making your own upholstery tack candles?

Here's what you need:

Candles
Burlap
Upholstery tacks - I used two varieties
Scissors
Lighter
Candle for burning
Hot glue gun {not pictured}


Upholstery Tack Candles

Begin by cutting a piece of burlap to wrap your candle with. I did two different sizes.  The burlap for the small candle was 1 1/4" X 10". The large was 3 3/4" X 10".

Upholstery Tack Candles

Wrap the burlap around the candle and secure with hot glue.

Upholstery Tack Candles

Now for the fun part - adding the tacks. I found it was easier to light a small candle and have an open flame ready when I needed it.

Upholstery Tack Candles

Place the tip of the tack into the flame for 10-15 seconds. Be careful, if you keep it in the flame too long, the whole tack will heat up and you'll burn yourself. {Yeah, I learned the hard way}

Upholstery Tack Candles


Then quickly insert it through the burlap and into the candle. It will burn the burlap a little as you slide it through, but the top of the tack will cover any discoloration. They slid right in without any cracking.

Upholstery Tack Candles

I decided that I liked the look of smaller and larger tacks together.

Upholstery Tack Candles

Here they are in their new home.

Upholstery Tack Candles

Don't miss my other candle projects.

 Pine Cone Flower Candles

4 comments :

  1. Such a creative idea! Love the burlap too.
    Featuring you today from the Creative Connection Party :)

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  2. These are very cute. Figures that it would take a MAN to figure out how to do it without cracking. I'm sure he razzed you about it all night! Stopping by from Tip Me Tuesday.

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  3. So cute! I love dressing up something plain into something with so much character. You're being featured at Gingerly Made today.

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