Pretty Flower and Ice Shard Tea Light Votives DIY
Have you seen these quartz shard votives popping up in fancy home stores these days? They are really pretty and are a bit expensive. They’ve stuck with me and the more and more I thought about it, the more I thought I could make something just like them but from recycled household items!
And so I introduce to you our Ice Shard Tea Light Votives made with recycled plastic milk cartons! Or pretty flower votives if you prefer. They are really easy to make and so beautiful, your friends and family will be astounded when they find out you made them from a milk carton. Long live upcycling!
Supplies you will to make Pretty Flower (and Ice Shard) Votives:
- a clean, washed and dried empty plastic milk carton, labels removed (one half gallon carton makes 1.5 flowers)
- heavy duty kitchen scissors
- battery-operated tea lights
- hot glue gun (a responsible crafter or adult should use this. very hot so please be careful) and plenty of glue sticks
How to make Pretty Flower (and Ice Shard) Votives:
Step 1: First cut your plastic milk carton into sections. Remove the handle and spout and discard. Use the remaining sections to cut 1-2 inch petals from. You should get 3-35 petals from one half gallon carton. You’ll probably only need 20 or so petals per flower so you will have plenty. It’s okay to use the folds and bends of the carton too. Texture and form makes your petals interesting.
Step 2: In fact, you’ll want to put a little bit of a bend in each petal before you glue it to the tea light. This will create the upward lifting, light-seeking natural look of a real petal.
Step 3: Start by gluing one petal around the top outside of the tea light and then spiral inwards until your flower is full and life-like. You can add petals in between later if you notice a spot that is thinner just apply the glue to the petal and wedge it in between petals. Hold it until the glue cools and is secure.
To create a more ice-like shard cut geometric shapes like you see above instead of rounded petals.
Bend and glue similar to the tea light exactly like you did the rounded petal version.
Step 4: Then switch on your lights and set your table!
So pretty!
These can make any table setting glow with soft winter warmth or just set them on a side table or hearth and enjoy as you think about how much money you saved on these pretty little votives. Or wrap them up in a pretty box and give them away as a gift!
