Green Craft - Decorate with Hanging Votives for the Holidays

Electric Christmas light hanging from the eaves of houses or porches, can be very beautiful, especially the ones that resemble ice cycles. Those that are of different colors and those that blink also add their own special look drawing the "Ooh's" and "Aah's" from people passing by. One unique touch you can add to your house during the holiday season, specifically your front porch, is by adding decorated hanging votes. These hanging lights illuminate the entrance to your home expressing a warm welcome to visitors. They are easy to make and can be made using recyclable materials.

Items Needed to Make Holiday Hanging Votives

-Baby food jars (amount depends on how many you want to hang)
-Assorted beads
-Eighteen or 20-gauge wire
-Votive candles
-Eaves hanging clips
-Wire cutters
-Mod Podge (Optional)
-Small paintbrush
-Glitter (optional)

Instructions to Make Holiday Hanging Votives

Step One

Thoroughly clean and dry all baby food jars. Discard lids or save for another craft project. If you have chosen to apply glitter, than this will be the first step. If you are not using glitter, then proceed to step two. Paint a thin coat of the Mod Podge around the outside of the baby food jar (be sure not to get any inside the jar). Before this coat dries, apply a scattering of glitter. You do not want a heavy coating of glitter. Let each jar completely dry before proceeding to step two.

TIP: Sprinkle glitter in the lid of a shoebox and roll the baby food jar in it, and then tap the jar to remove excess.

Step Two

With the wire cutters, cut two pieces of wire the appropriate length. The length will depend on how far down you want the votives to hang. You will also need approximately four extra inches on each piece to go around the neck of the baby food jars. Make a small hook on one end of each wire (to hold beads on), and string on a few beads. These beads will be positioned around the neck of the jar. After you have the desired amount of beads on the wire, position and twist the two wires together several times. One wire will go in front and one in the back. They are twisted on the sides of the baby food jar, where the beads begin and end. There should be two long pieces of wire on either side. Add more beads and then twist the wires together at the top.

Step Three

Insert the votive candles and hang from the clips on the eaves of your porch. Light candles when ready.

NOTE: To prevent a possible fire do not hang the votives too close to your roof.

Source: Personal Experience