Hanging Votives Tutorial

I wanted our son and his fiancee to have hanging votives in the large arrangements for their wedding.  Rather than looking to buy them, I thought I'd make them myself.  It wasn't hard to do, but it took some time.

(Post update:  As you read this tutorial, think beyond weddings and backyards, as Bill, from Affordable Accoutrements (http://affordableaccoutrements.blogspot.com/) did.  He envisioned these in a Christmas tree!  What a great idea!  So these votives could be made simply with ribbon instead of wire, and they could be filled with a variety of things, where the battery-operated candles can be nestled.  Or how about candy?  Or shredded paper?  Or tinsel?  Or Canadian Hemlock pinecones?  Or dried rose hips?  Or....  now we're ALL thinkin'!  Thank you, Bill!  Your ideas are always wonderful!)

Here's how to make them:

These are the supplies you'll need:
Needle-nose pliers
Scissors
22-gauge wire
Votive cups
Decorative wire or other trim
I already had these two styles of votive cups.  I thought the
"flower pot" one would be easier to work with, but I really wanted
to use the one that looks like a cloche because it's more formal.
I saw both styles at Hobby Lobby recently.

22-gauge wire worked very well.  I bought it at Jo-Ann, and found a huge array
of colors, so you can choose which one will work best for your project.
I used a silvery/pewtery color that I blended well with the twigs.



I bought this beautiful wire (and many other varieties) at Pier 1 several years ago.
As I made the votives I remembered them, and was thrilled when I
found this one--hearts and pearls!



You'll wrap the wire around the votive at least three times, pushing it down
(toward the top of the votive) as far as possible.  Wrap the loose ends
around the rest of the wire and trim remaining wire.



Measure the length you'll need for the drop you want, and add two inches, so you
have enough to wrap around the circle you've already created around the votive.
Do that on both sides, making sure they are equally spaced.



The wire will be loose, so you'll need to be careful that the cup doesn't fall out, but
once you hang them they will be fine.



Work the deocrative wire or ribbon (ONLY IF YOU ARE USING BATTERY-OPERATED "CANDLES"!)
around the hang wire, twisting it in a few spots to keep it in place.



And there you have them!  I recommend battery-operated "candles" because they are safer,
even around the twigs.

Have you used hanging votives before?  Where have you used them?  My next project is to make them using pretty jars to hang from our birch by our patio (next spring/summer, of course... :)  )

Since I'm new to blogging I'm not sure what linking parties there are for this type of post, so if you know of any, please let me know.

I love your comments; please chime in!

I'll be posting at these parties this week; please join in the fun!

 Susan’s Metamorphosis Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

 Motivated Monday at http://becolorful.typepad.com/  

 Bedazzle Me Monday at http://everything-underthemoon.blogspot.com/ 

 Debbie’s Newbie Party on Monday at http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/

 Marty's Table Top Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/ 

 Kim's Wow Us Wednesdays at http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/ 

 Open House Party Thursday http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com

 Courtney’s, Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

 Honey's Potpourri Friday at http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/

 Inspiration Friday at http://www.atthepicketfence.com

The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday at http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

 Homemaker on a Dime, Sunday at http://www.homemakeronadime.com/p/link-parties.html

It’s So Very Cheri, Party Time Sunday at  It's So Very Cheri

It’s So Very Cheri, monthly party at http://thediyclub.com/