Make an Interchangeable Candle Centerpiece for All Seasons and Holidays

This beautiful interchangeable candle centerpiece is easy to make. The main centerpiece is simple, but elegant. As each holiday or season approaches, the accessories can be changed to transform the centerpiece into that theme. The accessories and bows are interchangeable, and easy to make. You will also want to purchase a storage box to keep the accessories organized. You can make as many pieces as you want, and embellish the accessories according to your taste. This is a fun craft project to do with your children.

Supplies

• Round wicker basket
• Scissors
• Glue gun and glue sticks
• Floral foam
• Hurricane lamp shade
• German statice
• Floral wire
• 4-6 silk bushes of leaves
• 2 packs of six inch wood floral picks
• 3 yards of ribbon matching a theme for each of the following seasons and holidays: Summer, spring, fall, winter, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Halloween, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas
• 6 wooden stars, shamrocks, eggs, pumpkins, hearts and stars
• 12 silk fall colored leaves
• Faux butterflies and birds
• Small Christmas balls
• Pine cones
• Red, white, blue, orange, pink, green and purple acrylic paint and glitter
• Small paint brushes
• Ivory pillar candle
• Storage box

Directions for the Candle Centerpiece:

1. Glue a piece of floral foam inside the basket.
2. Carefully twist the lamp shade into the center of the foam. This will help to keep the shade in place.
3. Cut the stem of leaves off of each bush.
4. Arrange the leave pieces around the lamp shade until they form a full arrangement.
5. Glue statice evenly throughout the leaves.
6. Place the pillar candle inside the lamp shade.

Designing and Creating the Holiday and Season Accessories

1. Make a bow from each piece of ribbon. Attach and secure each bow to a wooden pick.
2. Paint the front and back of each wooden piece. Match the color of paint to the season and holiday. After each piece is painted, sprinkle a little glitter on the back and front. Gently shake each wooden piece to remove excess glitter. Let dry.
3. Glue each wood piece to the top of a wooden pick.
4. Attach or glue each pine cone, leaf, bird, butterfly, and Christmas ornament to a wooden floral pick.
5. Organize the pieces in a storage box. I find it easiest to label the matching bow and accessories by the season and holiday. This makes it easier to find the pieces when changing to the next season or holiday.

Decorating the Candle Centerpiece

1. Stick your bow choice at the center, front of the centerpiece.
2. Evenly spread the accessories throughout the arrangement.
3. Remove these pieces and replace them with the next season or holiday accessories. I also like to mix the season and holiday decorations together.

These directions give you a guide on making this interchangeable candle centerpiece and accessories. You may want to add different shapes and colors to each holiday and season. Another option is to change the pillar candle color to match the seasons or holiday. The embellishment and decorating possibilities are endless. The website www.factorydirectcraft.com offers a large selection of wooden shapes perfect for making this craft project.