Beaded Pearl Candle Collar

This is an inexpensive way to make custom table decorations. I think it would be great for a wedding or a party and you could make them match your theme. The tile was especially easy.

I wanted to add some pizzazz to a plain pillar candle and noticed a cardboard packing tape tube fit perfectly around my candle. Good base but I wanted pizzazz. We just got in a new acrylic pearl mix at work and I decided to use them. (I work at an internet craft and jewelry supply store, eCrafty.com). I'm really pleased with how it turned out and I've tried a few variations since then including a few with tile as shown above.

The main thing I would do differently if I was starting over would be to use a can for the base instead of cardboard. All the pictures and steps will work with a can instead of cardboard, so I've left the instructions as they are.

• Cardboard tube - Now I would use a can instead
  
  • The tube I used is 3.25" in diameter
• Super sticky adhesive - I used silicone caulk because I had it but I think any caulk or really sticky glue would work. It would probably be best if it isn't water based so if you are using cardboard it wouldn't get soggy and it would also allow you to use the decoration outside.
• Nail Polish or paint
• Pearls or other beads or embellishments - The tile I used are 1/2" squares. I used almost one full bag of the pearls, (eCrafty.com SKU 584 300+ Ivory Lustre Pearl Beads )
  
• Tray to hold the pearls
• Foil
• Aluminum Foil if you go with that variation

If you plan to color the tube, do it now. I didn't do it until after I'd applied the pearls and that made it a bit more finicky to apply. I used nail polish on one and craft paint on another. If you are going to use the decoration outside, use waterproof paint.

Let dry completely.

For one variation, I covered the tube in aluminum foil. I started thinking that maybe encasing a candle in cardboard wasn't the best idea so to make it less flammable (and more sparkly) I covered the tube in foil and made a foil base to catch any melted wax. Now, of course, I'd use a can.

Put the pearls in a tray. I used the top of a salad greens bin. The tray could get glue-y so using something disposable/recyclable seemed prudent. Apply adhesive to about a quarter of the outside of the tube. Roll in the pearls. Prop the tube so the pearls are on the top and don't slide around.

Let dry.

Repeat until the tube is covered.

Why just a section at a time? The pearls I used are from 4mm to as big as 16mm. This means that some of them were pretty heavy. I thought I'd be able to just cover the tube with glue and then roll it in the pearls but when I tried that, a lot of them slid off. Working a section at a time prevented slippage.

Enjoy! The collar can be re-used.

I liked my first one, the pearls and nail polish, and then I tried a couple more like the pearls and foil, and the tile, and the paint and tile. There are so many possibilities. Below are some other ideas I've thought of and I'm sure you'll have some of your own.

Other possibilities:

• Felt
• Lace
• Leather
• Pebbles
• Twigs
• Scrapbook paper
• Ribbon

#wedding #table decorations #centerpiece #DIY #candles #pearls #pebbles #craft #camp #repurpose #party #partydecorations #outdoor #picnic