Shellcrafts Island Reef
Tealight Candle Holder - Project 4
Use this Shellcrafts Guide to help you set up and design your own Island Reef Tealight Candle Holder similar to the one pictured above.
Specific Materials:
1. a 5"x7" oval wood base.
2. a glass votive candle holder.
3. a figure of a fish - glass, porcelain, resin
4. a figure of a crab - glass, porcelain, resin
5. a figure of a palm tree - glass, porcelain, resin
6. seashells 1/4 inch to 1 inch size
General Materials:
1. a bottle of Elmer's Glue-All or equivalent
2. a can of polyurethane - gloss or semi-gloss
3. sand paper - medium and fine grit
4. set of hobby brushes
5. coral pieces
6. sand - preferably beach sand
Optional:
1. Accessories such as small rocks, marbles, pearls.
2. Wood stain or varnish.
Prepare the Base:
The first thing to do is examine the wood base you've picked out for this shellcrafts project. Remove any labels or stickers that the manufacturer or the store may have put on the base.
Take a look on the bottom side, that's a place they like to clutter up with stickers. If you need to clean sticker glue off of the base, try a rag dipped in a little paint thinner.
Use the medium grit sandpaper to smooth down any rough spots. The smoother the wood is the better it will look later when you stain or varnish or apply polyurethane.
Use some fine grit sandpaper to lightly sand all over the base. This will remove any patina on the wood and help it absorb any stain, varnish, or the polyurethane better and more evenly.
Clean the base by dusting with a rag.
For a natural wood look, apply a coat or two of polyurethane over the wood.
Optionally you can apply a stain or a varnish to the base. While it's drying you can move on to the next step.
Prepare the Glass Candle Holder:
Make sure the glass candle holder is clean and dry. Especially on the outside where you will be placing a seashell design.
Examine the glass and decide which of the seashells you have can be used on it. Try some of the shells on the glass without glue to see how they can fit. Follow the shellcrafts design in the picture above as best you can with the shells you have. This is after all an arts and crafts project, not a factory assembly line product.
Now you can start this section of the shellcrafts project by applying glue to the first shell and seting it on the glass. You may have to prop up the candle holder with other items so that you can place the shell and not have it move on you. I use a soft old towel that I can puff up as needed around the glass. Let the glue dry before going on, otherwise the shell will slide out of position and end up somewhere else.
Apply the next seashell to your shellcrafts project. Let the glue dry enough so the seashell will not slide around on the glass. Then continue with this shellcrafts project by repeating the above steps until you have placed all the seashells that you want on the glass.
Don't worry about minor glue ooze, although if there is a lot of glue you may want to clean it up a bit. Generally the glue ooze will dry clear. Besides, later in this shellcrafts project, you will be covering the exposed glass with sand which will cover up minor glue ooze very nicely.
After all the seashells are on, and the piece is dry, it is time to apply the sand. Apply the sand in sections, so the glue is still wet when the sand goes on.
If you place a sheet of newspaper on the table under your work you can catch the loose sand that doesn't stick to the glue on the paper. Then you have a way of returning the loose sand to your container so you can use it later on this and other shellcrafts projects.
Apply the glue in between the seashells of the section you are working on and use a brush to spread it around. Try not to get too much glue on the shells. Pour sand over the glue, tamp it down lightly with your fingers, and gently shake off any excess.
Continue with your shellcrafts project by applying glue and sand around the glass, doing a section at a time, until all the glass is covered by the sand. When you finish the last section, carefully set the glass candle holder aside. You need to let the sand and glue dry.
Gather up the spilled sand and return it to your container. Save it for use on your next shellcrafts project.
After the sand is dry, apply a coat of polyurethane to the shells and the sand. This will protect both the seashells and sandon your shellcrafts project from the elements and bring out their natural shine. The poly also helps the sand adhere to the glass better.
Putting Everything Together on Your Shellcrafts Project:
Are you are ready to make the main design? Great, let's get to it.
Place the base you prepared for this shellcrafts project in front of you. Place the glass candle holder, sea shells, the palm tree, fish and crab on the base to get an idea of how they will fit and sit on the base.
Set the candle holder toward the back center of the design, as centered to the design as you can get it. If you notice in the picture above, the tealight candle holder is set so that the shells are evenly distributed to the front and sides of the candle holder. Do the best you can - remember this shellcrafts project is art. You do not have to be exact.
Apply glue to the bottom of the glass, around the edge, and place it on the spot you have picked. Push down lightly on the glass to set it in place. You can move it slightly, side to side, until it's in the right place.
To make the island for the Palm Tree, glue two larger seashells one on top of the other. The insides of the shells should face away from each. The shells need to form a stable platform where you can place the palm tree. Let the glue between the shells dry completely before moving the set and placing it on the base.
Place these "island" shells toward the back corner of the base and to one side of the candle holder. This will place the larger objects of this shellcrafts project behind the smaller ones. Good visual effect.
When you have found that perfect spot for these "island" seashells try putting the palm tree in the upper shell and see how it looks on your shellcrafts project. Keeping the fit of the palm tree in mind, remove the palm tree and glue the shells to the base. Wait for the glue to dry.
The palm tree is going to sit on the upper shell inside the "cup." Even though you have already set the palm tree in the shells, try it out again now that the shells have been glued to the base. Move the palm tree around until you like what you see, then glue it in place. Once again allow it to dry.
Place the larger seashells and coral pieces on the base, then glue them into place. Let the glue dry before moving. Notice the mantra here - "Let the glue dry."
Apply glue to the bare wood that is showing on this shellcrafts base and along the bottom of the glass candle holder. Spread out the glue using a brush, so it is more or less even. Pour sand on top of the glue. Be generous with your sand. Turn the shellcrafts project over and lightly shake to remove the loose sand. Having had a page or two of newspaper under the project comes in really handy at this time, doesn't it?
Apply glue to the bottom of the crab,and put it in place. Do the same with the fish. Let them dry completely before moving the base around. Otherwise you'll come back to find they have fallen and you will have to glue them all over again.
Gather up the loose sand and return it to your container. Set the shellcrafts project aside to dry.
Pick up and carfully shake to remove any loose sand. Apply polyurethane to the sand and any shells. I also apply poly to the resin figures I use, but not to any porcelain or glass
objects, nor to any pearls you may use.
Apply glue to any accessories that you have decided on and place them on your project. This can be more shells, pearls, marbles, small polished rocks, figures, etc. Let them dry, then apply polyurethane to any shells you placed. Allow the shellcrafts project to completely dry.
Using your Tealight Candle Holder.
Now that you have finished the project, give it try. Place a tealight (the kind that come inside a metal or plastic base) inside the glass. Light the candle. Enjoy!
CAUTION! TO PREVENT FIRE!
Please be careful when using. Keep away from anything that can catch fire. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Never burn candles unattended.
Photo Gallery
Check out the Miniature Candleholder Craft Photo Gallery. See the beautiful art I’ve created to inspire you in crafting your own shell craft candleholders.
Try Another Candleholder Project
Project 1 - Miniatures
Project 2 - Palm Tree
Project 3 - Reef
Project 5 - Sculpture
Return to Main Candleholder Page
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