How to Make a DIY Candle Holder

We use chargers for parties in our home. They are fun to add a pop of color to our white plates. They get used often, and they can easily be cracked when they do. Here’s a way to upcycle a cracked charger. You can make it into a DIY candle holder. Follow along and see how we upcycled this cracked charger.

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BEFORE Image
Things needed to make this repurposed cracked charger.
How to make this cute DIY candle holder for the holidays?
Where to find a flameless candle?

BEFORE Image

The picture below is what the cracked charger looked like. As you can see the crack went to the end of the rim and over a bit around the charger. I was able to glue it with a little hot glue to help it stay in place.

This is what the cracked charger looked like before repurposing

Things needed to make this repurposed cracked charger.

Cracked charger
40+ Red, opaque, and transparent flat gems
Fresh Rosemary sprigs
Fresh St. John’s Wort springs
Flameless candle tall, 4-5 inches wide, and 12-16 inches tall

Tools needed:

Glue gun (Affiliate Link) and glue stick (Affiliate Link)
Scissors for cutting the herbs

How to make this cute DIY candle holder for the holidays?

Step 1: Count out the flat gems

First, gather the list above and the tools (Affiliate Link) and place them on the table. I found that about 40 - 45 flat-sided red, opaque, and clear gems are needed for this project. Cut the St. John's Wort and Rosemary sprigs fresh and let them sit out for a few minutes or so.

Below are two options I found on Amazon (affiliate).

Gems Mini Glass,Red Mancala Stones Flat Bottom

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Gems White Glass Flat Gemstone Vase Fillers

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(Affiliate Link)

Where to find a flameless candle?

The flameless candle was taken from a different DIY project that was dismantled and repurposed years before. There are many sizes of candles (Affiliate Link) nowadays. You can even cluster three smaller, thin ones on the charger. Measure the inside of the charger to determine what will fit best. You can find them at the dollar store or Target / Walmart, or you can find them at craft stores.

Step 2: Hot glue the crack, then hot glue the gems to the charger plate

Now that you have all the supplies together, heat your glue gun (Affiliate Link) and get ready to glue the beads. Wipe off the charger, add a little hot glue to the crack, and start gluing the gem (Affiliate Link)'s flat side down to the charger. Work your way around the edge of the charger. Then, add another row. You can use the space in between the first row to make the two rows tighter together if you want.

add hot glue to the crack, then start gluing the flat gem to the chargers make two rows

Hold the gem (Affiliate Link) for a few seconds so it adheres properly.

Glue the gem and hold in place for a few seconds

Below are two rows of the charger glued on. Pull off all the hot glue strains from the edge of the charger if they are sticking to the sides.

Step 3: Add the St. John's Wort leaves to the top of the charger plate.

Now, layer the St. John's wort onto the platter (Affiliate Link). Since they are flat, they can go under the candle. You do not need to glue them because as they dry, you may want to replace them with fresh ones.

lay the st. john's wort leaves on the charger

Step 4: Add the candle to the top of the fresh St. John's Wort leaves, then add rosemary around it.

Now, add the candle and then add the rosemary around the candle on the charger.

Place the candle on the charger then add the rosemary springs around the candle

Well, there you have it! I hope this post inspires you to upcycle a plate charger that is now a DIY candle holder for your next party centerpiece. Would you try this? Please leave a comment below.