Hanging Candle Holder

by Nicole Bonito

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS:

1. I saved a wine bottle from dinner and turned it into a covered hanging candle holder that will become the outdoor lighting in our yard.  First, I cleaned the bottle and removed the label with a razor blade scraper.  Then I scored the bottle with my Kinkajou bottle cutter, about 1” up from the bottom.  Following the instructions for the Kinkajou, I separated the bottle.  The smaller bottom piece got discarded.

2.  After scoring and separating the bottle I needed to sand the edges.  I like to use a Dremel with a sanding stone bit on it.  This method does the majority of the sanding and makes it easier and faster to get the cut edge down to an even and rounded off surface but a dust mask/respirator and eye protection are a MUST! I still needed to sand by hand using the Kinkajou sanding kits different grit sand paper to get a nice clean edge.

3.  Once the wine bottle was sanded down it was time to work on the votive holder.  I drilled two small holes about ½” from the top edge.  You want the holes to be evenly spaced and the same distance from the lip, so the holder will hang properly.  I used a cordless drill with a ¼” glass/tile bit.  It’s helpful to submerge the votive in water while drilling.  This keeps the dust down and helps cool the bit and the glass so it won’t crack.  If your cordless drill has speed settings, use the slower one, it’ll help make the bit last longer and won’t create so much heat.  I wouldn’t recommend using a corded drill with a water bath for fear of electric shock.  Instead get a squirt bottle and a helper to spray the bit while you’re drilling.  Eye protection and a dust mask are still a good idea. When drilling glass I’ve found slow and even pressure work the best.  Once you notice the bit is almost through the glass it’s best to back off pressure so as not to break the glass. 

4.  When the votive holder has two holes in it, it’s time for assembly.  I used two short pieces of 16 gauge wire to make the loops that connect the votive holder to the chain.  To get two identical links it’s helpful to bend the wire around an object rather than just free hand.  I used a ¾” wood drill bit to bend the wire around.  I used jack chain that I purchased from my local hardware store but any small link chain will do.  Using two pairs of pliers I opened a link and removed a seven link section.  I used two of these sections to connect the votive holder to the ring.  For the ring, anything 1” and above will work, it just needs to be big enough that it won’t slip through the bottle neck.  The ring should be rigid enough that it won’t bend or distort shape.  If you can’t bend it by hand it should be ok to use.  Once the votive holder is assembled, I fed a long length of chain through the neck, from the top and connected it to the ring.  I then cut the chain to size, making sure to allow enough room to raise the wine bottle for access to the votive holder.  I secured the top chain with a large ring so it won’t slip through the neck and hung my new candleholder!

  

MATERIALS REQUIRED:

1. An empty Wine Bottle
2. Razor Blade Scraper
3. A Kinkajou Bottle Cutter and Included Accessories
4. Sand Paper (Finishing Kit)
5. ¼” Glass/Tile Drill Bit
6. Drill
7. Eye Protection
8. Dust Mask
9. Pliers
10. Wire Cutters
11. Glass Votive Holder
12. Small Link Chain
13. 2 Metal Rings 1” or above