Using Chai Glasses to Create Candle Votives II

Hello People! Hope you all are doing well! We're great, in fact, getting better day by day! 

Before I go further on my post, I would like to share great news with you people. Firstly, our posts were featured on the decor section in magicbricks.com, the extension site of Times of India which deals in properties & home solutions. Check it out here. Secondly, we've got our first coupon sponsor-27coupons.com who will be sponsoring discount coupons for our blog which we will giveaway in the form of games & contests. We're already giving out our first 10 coupons. For more details do visit our facebook page. 

So, going to my favourite chai glasses... I must say they're simply awesome! You can simply try out so much with them. In my previous post on Chai Glasses, i had featured chai glasses with only a detailed design with a plain glass rim. This time I tried painting the glasses in a combination of vibrant colours with a detailed design on the glass rim. Here are a few snapshots... and yes, they look beautiful.

Here are the snapshots with the chai glasses lit up with led tea lights. 

Don't they simply look awesome? I simply love the effect they radiate. 

Well, just for your knowledge all these glasses have been painted in permanent glass paints. So there's no worry about the paints fading away or scraping off! They're forever to stay! 

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments on these. Good or bad, do tell us what you think! And for those of you who would love to purchase any of these do email me at kraftykrook@yahoo.in

In the meanwhile, you could also purchase our chai glasses at Shopo and YellowTrunk.

I look forward to hearing from you guys..

Till then, 

Happy Crafting!

Karen

Ordinary Lamps with a Twist

As an alternative to candle votives and designer lamps, I’ve found these simple and ordinary candle lamps which once done up are no less than any designer lamp. They’re very simple and so adorable which can make over the look of any space in your home. 

Well, I got my hands on these in a local market where clay products are sold. These are simple candle lamps where the base is made up of clay and the lamp of glass. The glass is very brittle - that’s the only part which makes them very delicate and fragile. Nonetheless, they make an amazing home accent! Here are snapshots of my collection:

 Lamps simply painted in glass paints finished with a cute ribbon bow. The clay is painted in gold oil paints. These serve as simple and pretty accents for your home. 

Here are few more of my lamps done up in thread:

Well this does not require much effort. Just keep rolling the thread around the glass part, but be sure to keep a firm hold of the thread on the glass.

A great alternative to expensive lamps and lampshades, you could use these simple lamps at your bedside table.

You could try making your own by using a variety of accessories like handmade paper (especially the fibre/netted ones which have a netted texture), sequins, decorative beads/stones, lace, ribbons, washi tape etc. One more technique which simply works best with lamps is to decorate them with dried leaves and flowers. All you have to do is get some ‘modge podge’ glue to stick them to the glass. Well if this is too complicated, use normal glue to stick dried leaves and flowers. Dried flowers and leaves simply add to the beauty of any art and why not use it on your lamps for a rustic piece of art!

For lighting these lamps, you don’t need to stick to tea light candles, you can use the regular candles, however be careful of overheating, as these lamps are made of brittle glass. There are chances that the glass may crack. Moreover, using a candle leaves a black film on the inside. Another great alternative is LED tea light candles if you don't mind spending a little bit more. 

So what are you waiting for? Make your own designer lamps!

Till then,

Happy Crafting!

Karen

The Desi Way - Using Chai Glasses to Create Candle Votives

After creating candle votives from normal drinking glasses and shot glasses, I’ve discovered yet another way of making candle votives, that too, from simple and affordable glass products. My recent craft stint was with the famous “Cutting Chai Glasses”. Well, I don’t need to explain to you what these are as this is a term which is known to every Indian irrespective to the state you belong. 

Chai glasses are very simple and affordable and can be easily purchased from any local vendor who supplies chai glasses. They’re budget friendly and great if you want to use them as a part of your decor not only for your home but also for festivals. A great lighting accent to use especially if you're fond of lot of lighting.

Along with a set of 4 large glasses, I've also tried making votives of the medium sized ones. In fact, the medium sized ones are the just perfect as votives. Here's a snapshot of the medium sized glasses:

 Here are snapshots of the large sized ones.

Colourful aren't they? Perfect for lighting up your home with tea lights in the evenings and especially when you want some soft lighting when its still not dark. This is the only time the colours will truly show up. Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to take snapshots during late evening, but I've got pics of how they look in pitch dark. I used LED tea lights to light them up.

If you’re one of those who is not inclined towards exorbitant and expensive products for the  home, this is a great way to decorate your home. 

A few tips when you try these DIY Chai Glass candle holders:

·      The best way to paint these is using some vibrant colours (in this case I've used Ceramic paints since they tend to give a darker finish; you could also use glass paints as an option) as shown in the pictures above.

·   You could also use leftover lace, decorative stones to decorate the rim (the plain part above the textured part of the chai glass).

·   Use either LED lights or wax tea lights. In case of wax tea lights, place some water in the chai glass (up to half) and place the tea light candle into it. This will not only help in balancing the temperature but also show up the designs on the glass very well.

In case you have tried out making votives out of chai glasses or if you have more ideas, we'd love to know about them. Do not forget to leave a link to your work in the comments section below.

Till then, Happy Crafting

Karen

The Deep Blue Sea Collection - Amazing Home Decor made from Junk!

First of all, wishing you guys a very happy new year! We’ve got another set of 365 days filled with unexpected surprises, inspiration and challenges. So may we all be blessed with the best of creative spirits to rise up to the best!

So to start off with this brand new year, here’s Krafty Krook’s new collection comprising of pen stands, coasters and candle votives. And yes, again all made from junk items except for the votives (made from the ordinary ones available in the market).

Well, I must admit that I’m a total sea-freak and I adore every single thing associated with the sea and blue waters. Being a Goan, it comes naturally to me! He he… Talking about the ‘deep blue sea’ collection - its totally inspired by the elements of the seaside – the aqua blue sea, cool sea breeze, the golden sand, cute starfishes, tiny pebbles and lots more. Here's the entire bunch:

Quirky Sea inspired Pen Stands

Made from old CD's, empty shampoo bottles. Accessories made from crafter's clay

Medium sized pen stand with gold embellishments

Medium sized pen stand with silver embellishments

Large sized pen stand with silver embellishments

 Quirky Sea inspired Table coasters

Made from old CD's and thick Jute twine

    Elegant Sea inspired candle votives

Made from ordinary shot glasses available in the market. Hand painted and embellished with handmade fancy paper.

Hand painted shot glasses to serve as candle votives

Lit up with LED candles

Believe me, you can make amazing stuff out of junk! We just need to put our creative minds together, hunt and be open to experiment! And this is just a part of it all... there much much more, much beyond our imagination!

Do stay tuned for the tutorial on my quirky sea inspired pen stands.

Till then, Happy Crafting

Karen