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How To: Colorful DIY Wall Mounted Votive Set

by on May 14, 2015

Photo: Faith Towers

I live in a small 525 square foot condo, so free space is always hard to find. But one thing I do have a lot of is wall space. So I decided to create a small wall mounted shelf with a set of colorful votives on top. And now I’m sharing the super easy tutorial with you! Click through for instructions.   

A shelf with colorful candles on it is underneath a large colorful picture.
Photo: Faith Towers

Fun, right? Originally I had planned to dip the votives in paint, but when I thought more about it, I realized that painting the color onto the glass and leaving the brushstrokes visible would look more organic and natural. 

candle lights in different colors
Photo: Faith Towers

They have a painterly feel to them, and when they’re lit the strokes are even more noticeable. It’s a nice contrast to the plain wood shelf. 

So here’s what you’ll need for this project:

– 5 votives (I got mine here)
– Acrylic craft paint
– 2 pieces of wood: 3″x24″ and 1″x24″ (I bought mine at A.C. Moore)
– Wood glue
– Nails and screws
– Hammer and screwdriver
– Paintbrushes
– Scotch tape

A split picture of a person using glue and a paintbrush.
Photo: Faith Towers

1. Begin by gluing the small board to the large one along the very edge.

2. While the glue dries, begin to paint your votives. Start about half way down, dragging your brush back and forth until you get the desired effect. The brushstrokes don’t have to be perfect, in fact it’s better if they’re not. Paint down around the bottom edge of the votive, but no need to paint the bottom.

Colored tea candles upside down on a wooden table and hands using a hammer to hammer a nail into wood.
Photo: Faith Towers

3. Let them dry upside down.

4. While those are drying, nail the boards together where you glued them to make them extra strong.

While those are drying, nail the boards together where you glued them to make them extra strong.
Photo: Faith Towers

5. Next, screw the shelf to the wall on both ends. Be sure to place it somewhere where there isn’t much foot traffic… You don’t want anybody bumping into it when the candles are lit. If the wood that you used is heavy or if you use more votives, be sure to screw one side into a stud. Use a piece of tape rolled up underneath the votives to keep them in place.

6. And that’s all, you’re finished! Easy, right? And as always, please use caution when lighting candles… we don’t want anyone getting hurt!

Several lit multicolored candles are in a line on a mantle.
Photo: Faith Towers

You can also make extra votives with other colors, and switch them up depending on the time of year or your mood. I made a magenta and a forest green one to swap out at some point. 

A black, a red, and an orange bottomed candles in clear glass holders.
Photo: Faith Towers

These are great for dinner parties when you’re looking for that flattering candlelight but don’t have the space to spare on the table. That’s where I keep mine – right next to the table in the eat-in kitchen.

What colors would you guys use? Feel free to share your ideas in the comments section below!

These are great for dinner parties when you're looking for that flattering candlelight but don't have the space to spare on the table.
Photo: Faith Towers

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