Easy DIY: Crushed Glass Candle Holders from Thrift Store Glassware
I’m a big fan of thrifting and looking for items that can be repurposed or upcycled into beautiful home decor. Recently, I stumbled upon a few small fishbowls and some unique pink candle holders at my local thrift store, and I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them! With a little crushed glass and some creativity, I transformed them into these beautiful candle holders.
Don’t let the “crushed glass” part intimidate you – this DIY project is surprisingly easy! Even if you’re a crafting newbie, you can create these stunning candle holders in just a few simple steps. Grab your thrift store finds and let’s have some fun!
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DIY Crushed Glass Candle Holders
Create one-of-a-kind candle holders with this easy DIY crushed glass project. You can add a touch of sparkle to your home decor. These crushed glass candle holders are perfect for the spring or summer. The beauty is you can make them with any color of crushed glass. This DIY project is for any level of crafter. I love creating beautiful crafts that are perfect for gifts or personal enjoyment.
You will love how easy this project is to make for your home.
Supplies
- Two glass taper candle holders
- Two small 3″ fish bowls
- 5.3 oz crushed irregular glass Clear Metallic Crystals
- 5.3 oz crushed irregular glass Misty Rose Metallic Crystals
- E600 Industrial Strength Glue
- A large bowl (use a plastic one)
- Rubber gloves (optional)
- Small artist paintbrush (optional)
DIY Crushed Glass Tea Light
I recommend using a medium to large plastic bowl to hold your crushed glass. Pour the rose color crushed glass into the medium or large bowl.
Caution: You are working with glass. Therefore, do not have pet bowls close to your working area. Also, please be careful not to touch your face when working with industrial-strength glue or crushed glass. Crush glass can cut you, so exercise safety when working with it.
Step 1: You will apply 3600 Industrial Strength Glue to the glass. An artist’s paintbrush or a popsicle stick may be used to spread the glue.
Step 2: Gently, push the small glass fish bowl into the crushed glass while rotating until there are no bare areas. You can apply more glue in sections. Repeat to push the crushed glass into the new section.
Step 3: Allow the glue to dry 24 hours before using the tea light. You can brush off any glass pieces that did not fully adhere with a clean artist paintbrush.
Tip: If you accidentally have a glue drip or need to clean up the glass. You can use alcohol and a lint-free rag to remove dirt or glue. I keep alcohol pads that are great for removing price tags. It works great to remove glue drips.
Add a tea light and enjoy! It is the perfect home decor for Valentine’s, Easter, spring, or summer. These sweet tea lights would be wonderful for a bridal or baby shower. You can essentially decorate them using any color of choice.
DIY Crushed Glass Candle Holders
Step 1: Follow the same steps as in the instructions for crushed glass. You will apply a generous amount of 3600 Industrial Strength Glue to the glass. An artist’s paintbrush or a popsicle stick may be used to spread the glue.
Step 2: Gently, push the small glass fish bowl into the crushed glass while rotating until there are no bare areas. You can apply more glue in sections. Repeat to push the crushed glass into the new section. Do not try to pour the glass over the glue section. I found out the hard way. It was the first glass bowl. The crushed glass went everywhere! Lesson learned!!! I found that putting the crushed glass in a bowl and rolling it into the glue worked like a charm. It was less cleaned up as well.
Step 4: Add another band of glue above the clear crushed glass and on part of the clear crushed glass. In a separate bowl, add the rose color crushed glass and push the small glass fish bowl into the new color.
Step 4: Allow the glue to dry for 5-6 hours.
Step 5: Add 3600 Industrial Adhesive Glue around the rim of the glass candle holder. Top with the crushed glass tea light and allow it to dry.
Step 6: 24 hours before using the tea light candle holder. You can brush off any glass pieces that did not fully adhere with a clean artist paintbrush.
These beautiful, delicate crushed glass candle holders add a touch of sparkle to my rooms. It is fun creating something beautiful for the home from thrift store finds. Think about all the different colors you can use to create these unique tea-light candle holders for your home.
This same technique can be applied to a glass vase.
The next time you are thrifting look for one that you can upcycle. The possibilities are endless with a little imagination.
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About The Handcrafted Society
It has been a joy to be a part of the Handcrafted Society. Follow along each month as we share the inspirational projects you can create for your home. This month, we will focus on projects using glass.
What I love about the Handcrafted Society is seeing all the passion and creativity. We are creating using the same medium or around the same theme. It is so inspirational to see the interpretations of everyone’s projects.
You will find a gallery of this month’s projects at the end of this post. Each image links to the blogger’s tutorial, inspiring you to create something that reflects your style.
FEBRUARY HANDCRAFTED SOCIETY PROJECT – GLASS
Head over to the links above to see the incredible creations from our talented Handcrafted Society members, and don’t be shy – share your project using #HandcraftedSociety on social media! We can’t wait to see what you come up with.
If you make my project, please send me a photo at whitelilacfarmhouse@gmail.com. I would love to feature your project on my blog. Happy crafting, sweet friend!
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Tammy! I’m so excited to be in the group with you. What a great idea to work with crushed glass. It’s something new to me and I live with a glass guy :) – Your candle sticks are beautiful!
Thank you so much, Lynn. I snagged these candle sticks for .50 cents each and the glass fish bowls for .25 cents. Can you believe? They made for a fun project.
Hi Tammy,
I love the pink touches with your blue and white rug! These are so pretty!
Thank you so much, Amy.
Thank you, Amy. I have been on a pink kick lately. Ever since I found these candle stick holder, they scream a pink spring project. LOL
Super cute idea to make a candle Tammy! The crushed glass addition looks amazing! I can’t wait to try it on a future project! Pinned!
Thank you so much, Michelle.
Hi Tammy! These turned out so gorgeous! They look like you bought them at Anthropologie! The crushed glass adds such a pretty sparkle! Pinning now so I can try this sometime!
Thank you, Donna. I cannot believe how cheap the bowls and candle holders were at the thrift store. They were fun to make for spring.
Hi Tammy! First, I love all things pink and second I adore glitter – especially glass glitter. Your project is so creative and I love the end result. Wishing you a happy Galentine’s Day! Always fun participating in the HCS with you.
It’s such a pleasure to participate with you in HCS. So much fun seeing everyone’s projects. Thank you for your sweet comment.
Wow! Gorgeous! Such a great combination of vintage and glam in a beautiful home decor piece! You are right…when I first saw the project, I was intimidated. But you explain it so well and it is actually quite simple. Thanks for the inspiration! Pinned!
It is so easy and fun. You just have to use a little caution so pieces don’t go flying all over the place. Using a bowl and rolling the fish bowl into the glass is the ticket!
These are so pretty, Tammy! I’ve never worked with crushed glass outside of German Glass Glitter so I’m excited to try this idea. Thanks so much for the easy to follow step by step. It really helps. Off to the thrift store to find something fabulous to craft. Thank you for inspiration! Hugs, CoCo
Thanks so much, CoCo. You got to love a good thrift store find. So many great ideas from everyone. I cannot wait to give some of them a try.
Tammy, these turned out beautiful!
Thank you so much, Kim.