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Candle Decorating

An elegant array of candles adds thefinishing touch to any table setting,creating an atmosphere that cannot heequalled by any other form of lighting.Their use does not stop at tables,however candles can be used in allareas of the home and in all kinds ofcontainers, to marvellous effect.

At Christmas time, for instance, youmay like to incorporate candles into alarge, deep swag filling a wide windowsill or mantelpiece, using thick, stubbycandles raised on flowerpots concealedamong the greenery. Position tallcandles to taper from a forest of twigsand pine-cones, or trim plain altarcandles, beautiful in their simplicity,with evergreens, berries and bows tostand as a sign of welcome in a window.

At other times of the year, flowerpotsmake practical if somewhat rusticholders for candles of all kinds - fromthe highly-textured beeswax candles tothose in traditional colours. Select themost earthy and weatherbeatenflowerpots you have, and plant thecandles in heavy holding material suchas gravel chippings concealed under(for safety reasons) damp moss or hay.A garland of ivy trailing around the topof the flowerpot, held in place withunobtrusive blobs of clay, will add tothe pastoral look, while a large greenand white gingham bow will add atouch more elegance.

A variety of household items,including pottery mugs and tumblers,casseroles and glass dishes, are ideal forholding candles of all shapes and sizes.Bargain-shop candlesticks can also hetransformed with a simple verdigrislook-alike technique using acrylicpaints. You can even use hollowed-outvegetables - pumpkin-shaped gourdshave a wonderful shape and colour - asbases for candles. Arrange these in acluster on a dining table, a sideboard orin the kitchen, or use them as partydecorations. Remember never to leavelit candles unattended.

PAINTING A CANDLESTICK

Daub the bronze-coloured surface withgreen acrylic. paint. If you prefer a moretransparent finish, thin the paint withturpentine (methylated spirits) first. Leaveto dry for 10 minutes, then daub on goldacrylic paint in uneven patches.

CHRISTMAS CANDLES

1. Cut short lengths of evergreens and hollyand bind them into hunches using silverwire. Place a few stems against a candle andhind them on with silver wire. Add morebunches, binding them on all around thecandle, and secure the wire. Hook on falseberries, if you wish. Tie ribbon around thestems to conceal the wire. Trim the othercandles in a similar way.

2. Place the candles in appropriate holdersand arrange them in the centre of a diningtable or on a window sill among cuttings ofmixed evergreens.

3. A verdigris-style candlestick makes anelegant flower stand. Fix a small foam-holder and a piece of soaked stem-holdingfoam to the top of the candlestick withflorist's tape, and arrange a colourfulcombination of flowers and foliage

DISH OF CANDLES

1. Fill a shallow dish two-thirds full of cleansand, and place a tall candle in the middle.Position shorter candles around it.

2. Arrange a variety of pretty shells aroundthe candles, pressing them into the sand.

3. Check that all the candles are securelypositioned before lighting them.

VEGETABLE CANDLE HOLDERS

1. To make gourd candle holders, firstbreak off the stalks.If the gourds are softenough, gouge out ashallow hole fromeach one that iswide enough to holda candle, using asharp knife. If thegourds are too hardto do this - anddried ones may wellbe - fix the candlessecurely in theindentations using alittle florist'sadhesive clay.

2. Arrange the gourds to make anattractive group.Here, trailing stemsof Chinese lanterns(winter cherry) windthrough the gourds,an element that could he repeated inneighbouring flower - arrangements.

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