100 Floating Candles« Back to List of Decorations

How to make and hang 100 floating candles in less than an hour (and very little cost)

Materials:

Materials:
25 sheets of white paper (8.5 x 11)
2 sheets of yellow or orange paper (8.5 x 11)
transparent tape
spool of neutral color thread (choose a color that will blend with the ceiling)

Tools:
scissors
a book (we recommend Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets US edition or a medium sized hardback)
step ladder (or aide for reaching near the ceiling)
a helper (we recommend two people for this project)

Instructions:

1. Print the Flames template on a sheet of the yellow paper.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v424/bhobbs/flames.jpg
(Note: it should only print on one half of the page.) If you cannot see, or print the flames template, don't panic!
Simply sketch 25 various flame shapes on the yellow paper, (yes you can!) about an inch and a half tall by an inch wide. They don't need to be perfect even a basic diamond shape will do. The idea is to give the illusion of a flame. Make some tall, some with two points, some wavy. (You may need more yellow paper if doing this freehand.)
2. Place the Flames template on top of the second sheet of yellow paper. Fold in half. Cut out the flames through all four layers.
3. While the flames are printing (or your helper is cutting) wind thread around the book lengthwise 25 times. Cut the thread near the edge of the pages. Now snip through all 25 threads and lay them out carefully so they do not tangle. Repeat 3 times.
4. Cut the white paper into quarters. (hint: fold one sheet of paper in half one way then again the other way. Open it and lay atop 4 more sheets. Cut along the folds through all five layers. Repeat 3 times)
5. To construct each candle: Along one edge of the white paper, tape a flame and a thread using a single piece of tape. Use only enough tape to secure them without making it too heavy. (hint: loop the end of the thread in a J shape under the tape to prevent it from slipping out, stick the thread to the tape first, then the flame, then position on the edge of the white paper as it lays flat.)
6. Roll the paper into a tube, with the flame sticking out of the top, and tape closed. (hint: place a piece of tape along one edge, begin rolling from the opposite side so it rolls into the tape and secures itself) Roll some the short way, some the tall way, some thinner, some wider for variety, if desired.
7. In the room where you will hang the candles: Tape the end of the thread (on the spool) to one wall, about waist high (or a comfortable working height) leaving a few inches hanging past the tape. Unroll the thread across the room and tape it to the opposite wall, leaving a few inches hanging. Cut. Make a small donut of tape sticky side out. Wind the excess thread ends around the donut until it is close to the tape on the wall. Stick the donut against the wall. (This will prevent the thread from slipping out of the tape as the candles are added) Repeat 9 times leaving a few inches of workspace between each thread.
8. Working gently, tie 10 candles to each thread at varying heights and spaced out along the thread to the desired effect. Depending on the size of the room, you may want to cluster them toward the center (over a table) or spread them all the way to the walls. (And of course, you can always make more than 100 if you want!) (hint: tie one on each end then two in the middle then three evenly spaced on each side.) Watch out for patterns, avoid up down, up down. Vary the lengths of strings and spacing, and stagger the spaces on the next string, so that they appear to float randomly. (If tying is tedious, you can lay the string over the thread and secure with a small piece of tape. Just be careful to use small pieces to avoid excess weight.)
9. When all the candles are dangling from the threads, carefully move them into place near the ceiling. This is where the helper is especially handy, each holding an end and keeping the thread as taut as possible to avoid the candles tangling. Secure the threads to the wall at the desired height with a fresh piece of tape (or two or four as necessary) and another across the donut.
10. Stand back. Say Ooh and Aah!