Project: An Advent Wreath

I made this Advent wreath two years ago. I had been looking for a lower-profile Advent Wreath for the dining table. I was tired of peering in between the candles to speak to children seated on the opposite side. After finding nothing that suited me, I set out for the craft store. I completed the project very quickly. I am so pleased with the results that I wanted to share with you how to make your own!

You’ll need

1 artificial evergreen wreath
4 glass votive holders (plain sides) – you can also use baby food jars!
1 large glass candle holder (peanut butter jar would also work well)
Spool wired ribbon in a violet shade you like
Glass paints in white, gold, violet and rose
Glass paint primer (clear)
Brushes
E6000 glue ** very smelly – make sure you are in a well-ventilated area – KEEP littles away from it
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Candles (3 violet votives, 1 rose votive, 1 large white pillar candle to fit)

Wash and dry your votive holders and large candle holder, prime. The primer isn’t really a paint, it’s a liquid that gives the surface something for the paint t adhere to.

When that’s dry, stipple on the white paint like a cloud – on one side of each glass piece. Use a dry stencil brush for best effect.

Next, paint the votive holders with the words “Peace” “Hope” “Love” and “Joy”, using rose for “Joy” and violet for the other three. Paint the word “Emmanuel” on the large glass holder using gold paint.

Cure glass pieces in your oven according to your paint’s instructions. Cool

Apply a generous amount of E6000 to the base of each votive and press them into the evergreen wreath, taking care to space them evenly. Use crumpled newspaper to prop the votive holders into position while the glue cures for 24 hours. Do NOT use hot glue, it’s just not strong enough to do this job.

When the glue has cured, wind a length of ribbon around the wreath and secure with hot glue, or simply tuck the ends securely in.

Make a bow about the size of your hand and secure it to the wreath using hot glue or a wire.

Add candles (I love scented ones)!

God Bless your family this Advent!