DIY plaster candle holders: 6 easy ideas and a step-by-step guide

TL;DR: a DIY plaster candle holder takes just an afternoon: Aqua Resin, a silicone mould and 30 minutes before demoulding. Use Aqua Shield instead of water and the candle holder stands up better to wax and moisture; add Aqua Wax and you can pour the candle straight inside.

Introduction

Looking for DIY candle holders that look as if they came from a design shop? Plaster is the right material: it is poured cold, needs no oven and gives you the smooth finish of porcelain. In this guide you will find 6 candle holder ideas to make with silicone moulds, the step-by-step method with exact ratios and how to turn your candle holder into a finished candle.

Contents

• Key points
• 6 DIY candle holder ideas
• What you need
• Why use Aqua Shield instead of water
• How to make a candle holder: step by step
• Pouring a candle into the candle holder
• How to decorate your candle holder
• Common mistakes
• Recommended products
• FAQ

Key points

• Basic ratio: 100 g of Aqua Resin for every 30 g of cold water; demould after 30 minutes, fully dry in 24 hours.
• For candle holders, Aqua Shield in the mix is the better choice (100 g of powder for every 50 g of Aqua Shield): the protection against wax and moisture runs through the whole piece.
• Aqua Resin is not an epoxy resin: it is a premium alpha plaster, non-toxic and water-based.
• With Aqua Wax, the candle holder becomes a container candle that you can refill once the wax has burned down.

6 DIY candle holder ideas

1. Cylindrical jar with lid

The Jar mould gives you a container with a lid: perfect for filling with Aqua Wax and giving as a finished candle.

2. Origami candle holder

The facets of the origami mould catch the light of the flame. Leave it natural white or edge it in gold Aqua Metal.

3. Half-moon tealight holder

The Moon Candle mould creates a sculptural candle holder for your shelf: ideal with cup tealights or LED candles.

4. Trio for the centrepiece

With the Linear Trio mould you can make a triple candle holder for three candles: a ready-made table centrepiece in a single pour.

5. Candle holder with dried leaves

Dried leaves and flowers placed in the bottom of the mould leave their imprint in the plaster. The full tutorial is in our guide to the Nordic porcelain-effect candle holder.

6. Christmas candle holders

Stars, little trees and white-and-gold finishes for the festive season: you will find six dedicated projects in our article on DIY Christmas candle holders.

All available shapes are in the candle holder moulds and candle moulds collections.

What you need

• Aqua Resin: premium alpha plaster, white and non-toxic, with a porcelain-effect finish
• Aqua Shield: the recommended waterproofing agent for candle holders
• A silicone mould for candle holders (no release agent needed)
• Scales, mixing container and spatula
• Aqua Pigment, Aqua Metal, gold leaf, dried flowers: for decorating (optional)
• Aqua Wax and wicks: if you also want to pour the candle

Aqua Resin can be used without gloves, has no odour and tools clean up with plain water: you can create at home, including with children aged 5 and over with an adult.

Why use Aqua Shield instead of water

Aqua Shield can be used in three ways:

• In the mix, instead of water: 100 g of powder for every 50 g of Aqua Shield. The protection runs through the whole piece; demoulding takes at least 1 hour.
• By brush, on the dry piece.
• By dipping, briefly immersing the dry piece.

For a candle holder we recommend the first option: it is the object most exposed to wax, heat and moisture. Aqua Shield is transparent but leaves a slightly glossy finish and may slightly alter the colour.

How to make a candle holder: step by step

1. Weigh the ingredients. Basic version: 100 g of Aqua Resin for every 30 g of cold water. Protected version: 100 g for every 50 g of Aqua Shield.
2. Pour in the liquid first, then sprinkle in the powder: this way no lumps form.
3. Stir slowly from the bottom upwards until you have a smooth cream. Stirring too fast traps air.
4. Pour into the mould in a thin stream, starting from the centre, up to a few millimetres from the rim.
5. Tap the mould on the work surface for a few seconds: the bubbles rise to the top.
6. Demould after 30 minutes (at least 1 hour with Aqua Shield in the mix), gently flexing the silicone.
7. Leave to dry for 24 hours before decorating, sealing or using the candle holder.

Pro tip: get everything ready before mixing: once the powder and liquid are combined, you only have a few minutes of working time.

Pouring a candle into the candle holder

After 24 hours of drying, your candle holder can become a container candle:

1. Melt Aqua Wax in a bain-marie over a low heat, stirring until fully melted.
2. For a scented candle, add the fragrance to the melted wax.
3. Fix the wick in the centre of the candle holder and pour in the wax.
4. Let it set completely before lighting.

When the candle has burned down, refill the candle holder with fresh wax. For this use, always choose a base made with Aqua Shield in the mix.

How to decorate your candle holder

• Colour through the mix: a few drops of Aqua Pigment in the mix before pouring. Use just a little for pastel shades.
• Marble effect: two batches in different colours poured alternately, with veins drawn using a cocktail stick.
• Metallic edges: Aqua Metal is applied by brush only, on the dry piece.
• Gold leaf: small flakes of gold or silver leaf for a luxurious touch.
• Natural white: left as it is, the candle holder already has its porcelain-effect finish.

You will find every technique in our guide to creative effects with Aqua Resin.

Common mistakes

• Demoulding too early. Before 30 minutes (or 1 hour with Aqua Shield in the mix), thin edges break.
• Adding the powder first. Lumps form at the bottom: always liquid first, then sprinkle in the powder.
• Pouring wax onto damp plaster. Wait for the full 24 hours of drying before pouring the candle.
• Moulds with undercuts. For candle holders, choose shapes with an opening wider than the base: they release without forcing. Our guide to choosing the right mould for plaster will help you decide.

Note: Aqua Resin creations are decorative objects and are not suitable for contact with food.

Recommended products

• Aqua Resin — the white porcelain-effect alpha plaster for every pour
• Aqua Shield — protection against wax and moisture, in the mix or by brush
• Aqua Wax — natural soy-based wax for container candles
• Aqua Pigment — to colour the candle holder through the mix
• Aqua Metal — for metallic edges and details

FAQ

How do you make a DIY plaster candle holder?

Mix 100 g of Aqua Resin with 30 g of cold water (or with 50 g of Aqua Shield for a better-protected version), pour it into the silicone mould and demould after 30 minutes. Full drying takes 24 hours.

Why use Aqua Shield instead of water?

Because the protection is built into the whole piece: the surface is less porous and better protected against moisture, wax and marks. It is the recommended choice for candle holders. With Aqua Shield in the mix, demoulding takes at least 1 hour.

Which wax should I use to pour the candle into the candle holder?

Aqua Wax, the natural soy-based wax designed for decorative candles: melt it in a bain-marie, pour it into the dry candle holder with the wick in the centre and let it set completely before lighting. You can scent it by adding a fragrance to the melted wax.

Can plaster candle holders withstand the heat of a candle?

Plaster is a mineral material that copes well with the heat of a candle in normal use. The usual precautions apply: never leave a lit candle unattended and always place the candle holder on a stable surface.

How do you decorate a plaster candle holder?

By colouring the whole mix with Aqua Pigment, creating a marble effect with two batches, placing leaves or petals in the bottom of the mould, or brushing on Aqua Metal once the piece is dry.

Ready to make your own candle holder?

Pick a shape from our candle moulds, mix up your plaster and in a single afternoon you will have a candle holder to use or give as a gift, with the candle already inside.
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