Craft stunning, customizable DIY paperweights from dollar store glass candle holders with no mold. This straightforward project serves as an excellent gift idea, and you can add your personal touch!
Required Skills: Beginner. You’ll be utilizing Mod Podge and blending resin. It’s a quite easy task, so if you’ve attempted a few craft projects before, you should be good to go with this one.
If you resemble me in any way, your workstation is a crazy blend of imagination and disorder: notes, drawings, and to-do lists dispersed everywhere. That’s why I appreciate a great DIY project that is not only enjoyable to create but also practical.
Welcome: DIY paperweights! Not merely any paperweights, though. These are crafted with dollar store glass candle holders, a touch of Mod Podge enchantment, and a resin pour to grant them a sleek, polished appearance.
Why should you craft one? Firstly, they’re absurdly simple. Secondly, they’re customizable. Incorporate scrapbook paper, images, or even vintage book pages to align them with your aesthetic.
And lastly, they make wonderful presents! A personalized paperweight for a teacher, colleague, or grandparent? That’s a victory.
Now, I’ll be frank. When I initially spotted these rounded glass votive holders, the thought of “paperweight” didn’t cross my mind. But then creativity struck!
Invert them, add a splash of beautiful paper, and encapsulate it all under a glossy layer of resin, and voila, you have something stylish and functional.
And the greatest aspect? You can unleash your creativity as much as you wish. Embed pressed flowers, sprinkle glitter, or layer various papers for a distinctive appearance.
No matter how you design yours, one thing’s certain – you’ll never perceive a glass candle holder the same way again! Eager to craft your own? Let’s get started!
Craft a Paperweight
Discover how to fabricate paperweights using dollar store materials! This is an incredibly simple craft concept.
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Active Time45 minutes mins
Dry Time1 day d
Total Time1 day d 1 hour hr
Yield: 2 paperweights
Cost: $3
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Select a round item that closely matches the diameter of the candle’s circular inset. Outline a circle around the object and cut the form to fit within the glass candle holder. Slice a strip of paper to wrap around the sides for the opening in the glass.
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Apply a thick coat of Mod Podge on the internal surfaces of the glass. Adhere the two paper pieces (the circle and the strip) onto the glass, ensuring that the back of the paper is facing you (the printed side must face outwards through the glass). Eliminate any bubbles.
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Once dry, add another thick layer of Mod Podge on top of the paper. Allow it to dry entirely.
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Combine the resin in a disposable container using a 1:1 ratio. Mix and whip the composition thoroughly (for about 2 minutes) and quickly pour the solution into the cavities of the candle holders.
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The resin mixture will self-level and bubbles will ascend to the top naturally. However, you can assist in eliminating bubbles by breathing over the surface. Let the resin solidify and cure for a minimum of 24 hours.
Step 2: Eliminate any bubbles (they will be clearly visible when viewed through the glass).
Step 3: Technically, you can halt at this stage, resulting in a charming decorative piece of glass that serves as a paperweight.
I opted to go a bit further and fill that open space with resin, giving the piece a more completed appearance. The addition of the resin also increased the weight of the item, providing the sensation of a substantial piece of glass.
Step 4: Establish a well-ventilated area to pour your resin. Carefully review the instructions on the packaging. Ensure you are wearing the recommended safety gear. For this project, you’ll only need to mix a small amount of resin, so either prepare several or just mix a little from each bottle.
Step 5: You may also utilize a propane torch (the carbon dioxide, not the heat, is what assists in releasing trapped air).
If you enjoyed these DIY paperweights, here are additional resin projects I believe you might like:
Cutting Board • Geode Coasters • Gold Leaf • Keychains • Ocean Resin Art • Preserve Flowers • Resin Coasters • Resin Frame • Resin Jewelry Making • Wood Slice Coasters
