This one started with a couple bags of concrete mix and some leftover wood sitting around the shop. Glenn from DIY Creators built a candle holder out of them, and it is an easy project you can knock out over a weekend.
You will build a simple wood mold, mix the concrete, and press tea lights into the wet surface to form the candle holes. After it cures you demold the block, seal it, and mount it on a stained wood base with a curved arch cut into the bottom.
No fancy gear needed. If you can mix concrete and glue a box together, you can make this. Light the tea lights when it is done and you have a piece that looks like it came from a home decor shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of concrete should you use for a candle holder?
A fine sand mix or countertop concrete mix gives the smoothest result, since the small aggregate presses into crisp detail around the tea lights. A standard all-purpose mix works too if you screen out the larger stones first.
How long does a concrete candle holder take to cure?
You can demold the block after about 24 to 48 hours, but let it dry for several more days before sealing. Concrete keeps hardening for a week or so, and sealing it too early traps moisture inside.
Do you have to seal a concrete candle holder?
Sealing is worth the extra step. A masonry or concrete sealer keeps the surface from dusting, staining, and soaking up spilled wax, and it deepens the color a little. One or two thin coats is plenty.
Are concrete candle holders safe with real candles?
Yes. Cured concrete does not burn and handles the heat of a tea light or taper without trouble. Keep the flame away from the wood base and leave tea lights in their metal cups so the wax stays contained.
New to concrete crafts? Get the basics right first: how to mix concrete for crafts and how to seal concrete crafts (indoor and outdoor).
