Christmas Candle Shade with Cricut Vinyl & Recycled Glass

If you're looking for a unique and heartfelt gift to give to a friend or loved one this holiday season, consider making a DIY candle shade using thrift store glass. This project is easy to make and customizable, so you can create a one-of-a-kind gift that your friend will love. All you need is a few pieces of glass, clear adhesive, frosted spray paint, adhesive foil or vinyl, and Rub n Buff (optional). Follow the simple steps provided in this blog post to create a stunning candle shade that will light up any room with warmth and beauty.

Materials:

Glass plate or small platter
Glass cup or glass
Clear adhesive suited for gluing glass to glass
Spray paint, frosted
Adhesive foil or vinyl
Rub n Buff, gold (optional)

Directions:

Shop your local thrift shop (or your own cupboard!) for the glass pieces needed for this candle shade.  You’ll need a clear or mostly clear glass plate or platter for the front of the shade. Make sure the front of the plate or platter is smooth or has a large enough smooth area where adhesive vinyl can be applied.  The back of the shade is a clear glass cup that will hold the candle. It is easier to glue the plate to this glass if the glass has straight sides (no lip). The back of the plate or platter also needs a flat area for gluing. Keep in mind that the rear glass piece needs to be of sufficient size to support the plate after the 2 pieces are attached.

Wash and dry the glass pieces well.  Spray the front of the plate using spray paint in a frosted glass color.  Allow to dry.

Create your cut design in Cricut Design Space, sizing the design to fit your plate or platter. I’m using design #MFB138FE - All is Bright - included with Cricut Access.  Make the project using gold adhesive foil or your choice of adhesive vinyl. 

Weed the vinyl to remove the excess material.

Apply the vinyl to the plate or platter using transfer tape.  Burnish the vinyl well for good adhesion to the plate.

If desired, apply a bit of gold Rub ‘n Buff to accent the edge of the plate or platter. Allow to dry.

Use a generous amount of glass adhesive to glue to cup to the back of the plate. Masking tape is helpful to hold the pieces in place while the glue dries.

And voila! Add a candle to the cup and you’re all set.

Creating a DIY candle shade using thrift store glass is a fun and easy way to make a thoughtful gift for a friend or loved one this holiday season. With just a few simple materials and some basic crafting skills, you can create a one-of-a-kind piece that is sure to be cherished for years to come. This project is a great way to show someone special how much you care. So why not give it a try and see what kind of beautiful candle shades you can create?

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