Make a Christmas candle shade

You will need

Brass coloured perforated

metal sheeting
100 x 235mm
(4 x 9¼in)
Bobbin of fine gold-coloured wire and tapestry needle

Old scissors, sharp- pointed scissors, craft knife and cutting mat
A4 sheet each of
red and green

self-adhesive holographic paper
Gold berry and leaf decoration on wire
A4 sheet each of red and green tissue paper
Draft film,
100 x 205mm (4 x 8in)

Small straight-sided glass tumbler, 60mm (2½in) in diameter and 85mm (3¼in) tall

Tea lights
Metal ruler and pencil
Sticky tape and glue stick

Step 1

Using your craft knife and metal ruler, cut the red and green tissue paper into 5 x 130mm (¼ x 5in) strips. Using the glue stick, stick the strips firmly on to the draft film, leaving a 5mm (¼in) gap between each strip. Trim the edges flush with the film.

Step 2

Attach half the width of a length of sticky tape along one edge (on the side where the strips have not been stuck). Bring the other edge round and press it on to the other half of the sticky tape, so that the tube is joined from the inside.

Step 3

Cut the holographic paper into six lengths, three of each colour, measuring 5 x 235mm (¼ x 9¼in). Peel off the backing and stick five round the base of the metal and one near the top at the same height as the glass tumbler.

Step 4

Curl the metal round the glass; this will help to achieve the tubular shape.

Step 5

Overlap the edges by 10mm (½in) and neatly sew them together using a tapestry needle to thread the wire in and out of the perforations. Temporarily lift the strips of holographic paper so that you can reach the perforations on the top overlap.

Step 6

Carefully thread the berry sprays into the perforations, pushing the wire stem in through the front, then out, then back in again. Press the wire stem against the inside of the shade.

Tip

Be careful how you pick up the candle shade. Hold on to the bottom of the tumbler or it will fall out of the shade.

Step 7

Slide the striped draft film liner inside the metal shade, seam against seam, being careful not to catch it on the wire stems. Carefully put the glass tumbler containing the candle inside the completed shade.

Tip

It is usually difficult to light the candle while it is in the tumbler. So, light the candle first, pinch the side of the candle's metal container with your pliers and carefully place it in the tumbler.