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Make It: A Seasonal DIY Wood Bead Candle Holder

by on Oct 31, 2016

It is that time of year when people gather. I love the look of simple centerpieces and tablescapes. Today I am going to share with you a little DIY candle holder that can be used for a fall table centerpiece. In a month it also can transition to your mantel decor for Christmas.   

 

Materials

DIY Seasonal Wood Bead Candle Holder

Here is what you need:

 

  • All different sizes of birch ball knobs. (I got mine here) You can get them online and at any craft store. For the large sized ball knobs, make sure you get the kind with a flat bottom. 
  • Drill
  • Spade bit the size of the bottom of your candle.
  • Twine
  • Drill bit ( Two are shown but I only used one)
  • scissors
  • Table vise clamp (see below) 

 

This is a table vise clamp. If you don’t have this, your neighbor probably does. Go borrow it, or better yet, use this project as the reason to purchase one. I use mine all the time. Please don’t skip this step. This project is accomplished by drilling holes in small beads. Yes this project is super simple, but at the same time those small beads are hard to hold. They are also dangerous to hold while drilling at the same time. Consider this your PSA for safety. I do care!  An added bonus… the vice makes the drilling process very quick and easy.

DIY Seasonal Wood Bead Candle Holder

Here is a closer look at the size of the ball knobs I purchased. I purchased the following sizes:

 

  • 3″ ball knob – These were sold individually. I bought three total.
  • 2 1/2″ ball knob- These also were sold individually. I bought two of these.
  • 2″ ball knob
  • 1 1/4″ ball knob
  • 1″ ball knob

The two largest sizes would get the holes for the taper candles. I would have five candles holders and the rest would be filler.

 

Step

DIY Seasonal Wood Bead Candle Holder

Figure out your pattern.  Here is the best way to explain my pattern.

DIY Seasonal Wood Bead Candle Holder

  • Navy arrows: 3″ ball knob with hold drilled for candle.
  • Pink Arrows: 2 1/2″ ball knob with hole drilled for candle.
  • White Arrows: 2″ ball knob for filler. 
  • Light Blue Arrows: 1 1/4″ ball knob for filler
  • Red arrows: 1″ ball knob to end the strand.

Step

DIY Seasonal Wood Bead Candle Holder

Drill a hole in the side of your middle bead. Use the vise clamp and this will be easy!

Step

DIY Seasonal Wood Bead Candle Holder

Next, mark where your holes should go on the side of the next bead, to the left and right of the bead you just drilled. If you want all beads to lay flat this step is important so the thread will naturally go through each bead while laying flat. I just simply marked with a pencil where the drilled hole (from the bead I just drilled) touched the next bead.

Tip: Keep the beads in order while you drill the side holes.

Step

DIY Seasonal Wood Bead Candle Holder

Continue to repeat the steps 2 and 3 until all beads have holes drilled through the side. The vise clamp will make it easy to drill your hole straight through in the same location. Remember to keep your drill straight as you drill.

Step

DIY Seasonal Wood Bead Candle Holder

 

DIY Seasonal Wood Bead Candle Holder

 

Take the large beads that will be the actual candle holder and drill a small pilot hole to ensure your opening will be centered. This is crucial so you can have straight standing candle sticks.

Next, drill your hole with a spade bit. My taper candles had a 3/4″ bottom so I used a 3/4″ drill bit. I was okay with the candles being a little snug. Fallen candles and fire can never be a good thing…right? My birch ball knobs were hollow which was an unexpected bonus. This allowed the taper candle to slide right down and rest at the bottom of the knob.

Step

DIY Seasonal Wood Bead Candle Holder

Lay out your beads again. I left mine in order, but just in case you did not, get them back in order again.

Step

DIY Seasonal Wood Bead Candle Holder

 

DIY Seasonal Wood Bead Candle Holder

 

String your twine through the strand.  I used jute twine. To be able to feed it through without fraying, I wrapped the end with washi tape. Tie a knot at the end of your first bead. You will do the same at the end.

Tip: Leave a little space between each bead for movement. This will allow the beads to all lay flat. This will give the candelabra a little flexibility to shape as a straight line, a curvy line, or even a circle.

DIY Seasonal Wood Bead Candle Holder

Place your candles in the candle holders and you are done!

DIY Seasonal Wood Bead Candle Holder

 

DIY Seasonal Wood Bead Candle Holder

Perfect for my fall table setting.

DIY Seasonal Wood Bead Candle Holder

 

DIY Seasonal Wood Bead Candle Holder

 

DIY Seasonal Wood Bead Candle Holder

Want more fall table setting ideas? Check out this roundup of fall table settings or check out these. shoppable fall tablescapes.

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