February 29, 2012

Faux Birch Candles

When my winter living room decorating took on
a birch theme after I hung a new birch tree "painting" over
the fireplace, I decided my battery-operated candles
could dress up for the occasion and try to look birch-ish.

I don't think birch trees are native to my area.
The ones that we mostly see are brought in by
landscapers and I know them just as River Birches.

They are skinny trees so they are usually planted in
groups of three.  Here are some river birches near my
house that I went to study to learn how to try to
make my candles look like birch logs.




There was some shed bark on the ground so I
gathered it up. There was not enough shed bark to
cover the candles so I looked for some paper to
mimick birch bark too.  The closest I found was at
Hobby Lobby in the scrapbook section.


The paper was cut to fit around the battery
candles.  The paper was only taped around the candle
since the birch disguise is only temporary.  The pieces of
 real birch bark were then glued to the paper.

They looked pretty good during the day but the
paper kept the "candle glow" from being seen very well.
I rubbed linseed oil on the birch bark scrapbook paper to  make
the paper more transparent.






The imitation birch candles were grouped with some
actual votive candle holders made of small logs by my
son and his wife for my Christmas present a few
years ago.  I'm not sure what kind of wood they used.

Some real candles in the dining room also got the
birch treatment.  A fire marshall would not approve of
these little candles (with the paper being so close to an open flame)
but I never left them burning unless I was in the room.

Making the "birch" candles made me really study
the birch trees nearby and for the first time
appreciate how beautiful the shaggy bark on the trees is.


2 comments

  1. NICE JOB! They look great! Yeah...kinda scary to burn them though, isn't it? I used some of those little flicker votives for the first time this past couple of months. I love them. xo Diana

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  2. I love this idea! The bark adds so much interest to the candles.
    Hugs, Sherry

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