Glass Bead Vase / Candle Holder

Stacy Davis
by Stacy Davis
4 Materials
$6
1 Day
Easy

This project was only around $6 for the supplies needed. I posted an inspiration picture in Discussions/Ask Question (A new feature at Hometalk, I highly recommend that you check it out!) It was of a vase or candle holder that was in a vacation rental that we were at 4 years ago. I have always intended to try to recreate a version of it but never got around to it. I really wanted to give it a try but wasn't sure how to go about it. It was simply made with beads but it was so pretty and unique. I loved it! I posted the picture for inspiration in that forum to the whole Hometalk community and the next thing I knew, I was super motivated to make it and I was being encouraged by other Hometalkers. If you want to see the post that led to this tutorial, you can find it here... http://www.hometalk.com/diy/e-seed-bead-and-sequin-vases-27511630?scid=3709125

Candle Holder

I went to Walmart to see if I could find something small and inexpensive to experiment on. If this turned out to be a total fail, I didn't want to have invested a lot of money. 74 cents... that seemed ok, even better than the Dollar Store.

Beads

I also bought some beads. I had some at home but wasn't sure if I could find them and these were very budget friendly. I bought 3 different colors.

Here are the items that I started with

  • Modge Podge (Matte)
  • Dylusions Spray in Vibrant Turquoise
  • my 3 types of beads
  • candle holders


I ended up using Mod Podge Hard Coat because my Matte was old and gloppy. I tried to tell where the Matte had been and where the Hard Coat was and I couldn't tell, so I think you can use either successfully.

Seed Bead Vase / Candle Holder

Here is a picture of one of the decor items that I wanted to recreate...

Sequin Vase / Candle Holder

And this is the other...

Create Colored Mod Podge
Create Colored Mod Podge


I poured some Mod Podge in a plastic cup and sprayed in some Dylusions Spray.

Mix

I stirred it with a Popsicle stick.

Paint the Candle Holder
Paint the Candle Holder


I began at the bottom with the candle holder inverted on a small craft paint container.

Add Beads
Add Beads


I used a paint brush to spread the paint down the glass. Since it was the bottom, I decided not to start with my newly purchased beads, just some that were hanging around the craft room. At this point, I wasn't sure it would work and I didn't want to waste my new beads. To my surprise, it worked!

Glue Beads to Candle Holder

I found it helpful to lay it on its side with something inside to hold it and press the beads with a popsicle stick. Whenever I used my finger, they would stick to my finger and come off... every single time...

Work in Small Areas
Work in Small Areas


I tried to work in small areas and let it dry. Sometimes they needed some structure below and beside them to stay in place with the wet glue. In this picture, I added some tinted Mod Podge to some "holes"... Every thing around this area was dry and allowed structure for the new beads that I would sprinkle in.

Fill in Holes
Fill in Holes


Here the beads have been added and the "holes" filled in. Once it is dry, I will rotate and fill in the next area until I have the look that I want. Rotating the glass candleholder as it drys. If you look very closely at the bottom of this picture there is a teeny tiny red seed bead that came from somewhere... it is there to stay, I CAN'T GET IT OFF. I didn't notice it until it was dried in place.

The Finished Product

It didn't come out looking like my inspiration piece but I love it! I think all in, this project probably was around $6. And to me it is a priceless one-of-kind piece of art that I created.

I also made the space saving (completely breaks down to fit in a small space) and convertible (floor can be the wall and visa versa) backdrop that you see in this last picture. If you think a portable backdrop tutorial would be of interest, just comment below and I will post one.

Here is a small snippet of my process...

DIY Beaded Candle Holder

Here is a shot of a tea light candle inside in the top left picture... One container of beads came VERY close to covering the entire surface of the candle holder. I love peeking inside and seeing that the inside is as pretty as the outside.

Resources for this project:
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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
3 of 22 questions
  • Kathy Decker Kathy Decker on Feb 21, 2018

    Doesn’t the heat from the candle melt the mod podge?

  • Susan Susan on Jul 22, 2020

    How does Modge Podge work OVER beads? I have a beautiful cross I made of African trade beads and seed beads but I used Weldbond to attach them and some are falling off, so I would like to either epoxy or modge podge over it to hold all the beads in place for perpetuity. Would either work? Epoxy is so much hassle that if modge podge would work, I'd really prefer to use that.

  • Aardy Aardy on Jul 09, 2021

    Wondering why the first step of coating the entire glass first with modpodge. Why not work in small sections from the beginning? Just curious what the purpose of an overall coat first might be. Thanks

Comments
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2 of 241 comments
  • La streight La streight on Oct 29, 2018

    Your inspirationmpiece looks like sequins were used. Love bothnversions. Cutebidea


  • FreeCycle Cheryl FreeCycle Cheryl on Jan 21, 2021

    I would LOVE to see your backdrop idea. I need one (or more) for backgrounds for photographing my online items. Thanks!

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