April showers bring May flowers. But if you’re like me and have a brown thumb, you might, like me again, need to create your own flowers that won’t die.
Here’s how to make fun, handmade flowers from Christmas tree candle clips!
But first, an intro. I’ve been wanting to blog about these flowers for several years. Yes, years. I’m guessing around 2009 or so, I made one, then lost my bag of candle clips. It turned up a year ago and I started making another. Thought I’d do a video tutorial for you. Um… no. It just didn’t work out and the whole project was tabled – It literally sat on my work table! – until two days ago. I decided the video idea was a really bad one and tried to take pictures of every step. There are a few pictures missing because of the blurries, but I believe there are enough to get the job done. So, without further adieu……….
Here’s what you need:
*Christmas tree candle clips. This can be the hardest part of the whole project. Finding them. If you just can’t find any anywhere, there is usually a plethora of them on eBay.
Try to get the ones that are put together like this:
This picture is worth showing twice. See how there’s a hole with tiny metal bent over holding it together? These snap apart quite easily. If there’s a solid stem thingy instead of an opening, you’ll need to grind it away with a Dremel. That takes a long, annoying time, puts out more than a few sparks and you’d need safety glasses. I speak from experience.
*Shank buttons for the centers. You may want a variety to choose from.
*Paint. I just use regular craft paint that you can pick up anywhere and probably have a stash of anyway.
*Small, needle nose pliers.
*Not pictured is thin wire and glue.
Now that you have everything assembled, you’re ready for the fun!
- Snap those babies apart
Unlike in the picture, wait until you’ve painted to curl the center.
2. Now start painting. I don’t do any prep. Just slap the paint on there.
I do backs first, but either way, back or front is fine.
I chose to paint them white then………..
Put some green on the white. I later added some of the main flower color on the back, but the backs aren’t terribly important.
Paint the centers yellow.
3. Flip ’em over and decide on your flower color. Remember these are fantasy flowers, so use whatever color you want! I painted the main color then brushed a little white in there.
4. With your small, needle nose pliers, curl each of the center petal things. That picture was an unidentifiable blur and is not shown here. You should be able to figure that one out.
5. Now choose your button for the center and thread the long, thin wire through, bending at the center. Go ahead and give it a couple of twists. Next comes the yellow center, then the round flower part. Glue liberally between the three components. You’ll probably doubt they will stay together, but two steps from now, it will be clear that the glue really will work.
6. You’re ready to twist the stem. Here’s a tip. Use your drill. (I use a Ryobi ONE+ like this one on Amazon. It’s a little heavy, but lighter than many. I love it!) Make the drill opening as small as you can and still be able to get the two wire ends to go in. Hold the top of the wire next to the flower with your needle nose pliers. Pull the trigger, forward or reverse doesn’t matter, and twist away!
Before:
After:
Beautiful, huh? Quick too!
7. Using a clothespin or good clamp style paper clip or whatever kind of clamp you have, clamp it as close to the base as possible.
8. Let dry and you have a flower! Repeat and you have a bouquet of flowers.
Hope you make some of your own. If I can make it, you can make it! And probably better. 🙂
Wanda
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These are just adorable! What a great idea! Cheers.
Thanks! They’re fun to do, too. 🙂
These are SO darn cute! I made a few out of aluminum light backs just yesterday. (not sure what their officical name is)
Great idea to use the drill to twist the wire, makes perfect sense and so much easier than twisting it by hand.
Reflectors! How fun! You will blog about them, won’t you? I’d love to see them!