Advent starts this Sunday, December 2nd and normally on a day like today I am running around to a few stores to find three purple and one pink candle. I've tried painting the candles, which looked like a joke. I've thought about ordering them online, which did not happen cause well, I am not good about that.
Last year, I painted some vases and stuck a candle inside and they turned out okay. They looked really great before I actually used them, but once I did, the big candles made for a melted, black charred mess.
This year, I refined it a bit and painted little votives, but this time on the INSIDE only. On the outside they are smooth and polished looking, at night they glow better than any candle I've used.
I don't have any tutorial pictures, but it was a really simple process!
Add some paint in the color you love to the glass votive. Add a teensy tiny bit of water to thin the paint, and swirl it up and around the votive wiping off any drips on the outside. If the paint is not sticking, you added too much water, and should add more paint. (Don't ask me how I know.)
Dump out any excess paint, then cure according to the paint manufacturer's instructions. I used Martha Stewart craft paint and their instructions were to:
let paint dry for an hour, place items into a cool oven, turn oven to 350 and bake for 30 minutes. Turn the oven off and let the glass cool completely in oven. Do not use for 72 hours.
Here's what the wreath looked like when we lit it, and completely confused my kids after explaining Advent to them and why we don't light all of the candles yet. 😉
and totally in the dark (oooh, ahhhh! Creepy flashlight face!)
We are Catholic and I always forget that so many other Christians celebrate Advent as well. Happy Advent to you, and happy early birthday, baby Jesus!
