Wear a Heart on Your Sleeve—And on a Votive Made from Repurposed Pieces
Create heart-warming, charming candle votives by pairing Goodwill-found jars with thrifted book pages. These eye-catching creations are perfect to make for Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day and are lovely centerpieces for bridal showers and birthday gatherings.
Mother Nature will be feeling the love, too, as you repurpose items for reuse and keep them out of landfills. This easy DIY project is also family-friendly, so consider doing it with your sweetie, BFF, boo, sweet sister, beloved brother, or cool kid!
Mark your calendar for February 11 for our “Not Your Typical Typical Valentine’s Day” event. Join us in making creations like this, as well as flowers, jewelry, and cards from repurposed and upcycled items. Tim Kime Art is delighted to join Finding Your Good and several other amazing organizations in co-hosting this fun, community-building event! All are invited to join us—including you!
Step 1: Find your good & glass jars at Goodwill
Now is the perfect time to find your good—and some warmth—at Goodwill. Chase away the winter doldrums and stay out of the cold by shopping for items—like mason jars and other glass containers—for this DIY project. You are very likely to find a wonderful selection of options to upcycle into these oh-so-charming votives.
While there, find more good by picking up a book or two to reuse for this project. Consider using a book you love so its words and message add a lovely dimension to your votives.
Step 2: Pull pages, cut hearts
Gently pull out several pages from your book.
Consider the size of your jar as well as its details, like lettering and ridges, when cutting pages. Keep your pages upright, then cut out squares that fit on the smooth sides of your jar. Fold them in half to cut out hearts.
You will use both pieces—the cut-out heart and the remaining/outer piece, which will be square and have a heart shape.
Design Tip:
For the best final look, ensure your page’s lettering/words/writing is upright so that when placed on your jar, you can read it. Also, consider using the top of the pages with the book title printed on them. This will be another reminder of a special book you’ve given a new life and new purpose!
Step 3: Secure with school glue
Square shapes with cut-out hearts:
Using school glue (or Elmer’s glue or Mod Podge if you have it), brush on a light layer on the entire backside of your paper piece. A small craft brush is ideal for applying a solid, consistent layer. Carefully apply your paper piece on your jar. Do your best to ensure the square is straight and positioned well horizontally and vertically.
With your brush, apply another very light layer of your glue (or Mod Podge) on top. Use your fingers to push out any bubbles and to smooth out any wrinkles that may occur in the process. Repeat this step several times as you apply several heart squares around your jar.
Allow time to dry, then apply another light layer if needed.
Cut-out hearts:
Carefully brush on a light layer of glue on the back of your cut-out paper hearts. Based on the size and look of your jar, consider adding one on each “side,” so you have four hearts on your jar, soon-to-be votive. Allow time to dry, then brush on more glue if it is helpful to adhere securely.
Step 4: Tie on some twine
On the top of your jar, where the lid would have been screwed on, cut some twine, then wrap it around it and tie it with a bow to hold it in place. Consider using a glue gun to add hot glue to keep the twine from moving. Based on the width of your top rim part, you may want to return to it with additional pieces of twine, wrapping, and hot gluing it.
There is something whimsical about using twine with this project. To me, it says, “Down home, country charm!” What does it say to you?
Step 5: Embellish with bracelets & words of inspiration
Okay, I love how the universe works! Just yesterday, my friend Karen gifted me several gold bracelets to use for art projects. Their size was perfect to be the icing on the top of the jars! Hot glue was applied to the upper rim, and a bracelet was added to finish things off with an elegant, shimmery look! Thanks so much, Karen, for thinking of me!
In my stash of stickers, I came across a collection of inspirational messages and words. Many had phrases that included “love” and “heart” in them, aligning with the heart shapes and feel of the final look.
How wonderful that they were in black and white, so their look complimented the book pages perfectly. They were placed on top of the hearts and other places on each votive, adding a special something to each one. Love, love, love it!
6. Add tea lights/candles to make your heart shine!
Light or turn on tea lights/candles, then carefully place them inside your heart-covered votives. Share as gifts for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, birthdays and more. Hosting a bridal shower?
These will look so pretty as part of your table settings. Planning a wedding? Consider creating them with your bridal party so they may add their love and light to your special event. Enjoying an evening at home by yourself? Light one of these beauties to warm your space and celebrate you!
Again, join us on February 11 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Brookland Arts Walk’s Artist’s Lounge, 716 Monroe Street NE. We are so excited to co-host this “Not Your Typical Typical Valentine’s Day” event with several amazing groups. You will create votives, flowers, jewelry, and cards using upcycled materials. Bring materials to use, share, and swap with others! Come solo, with a friend, or with your boo! See you there!
Similar Reads:
- Use Sunflowers to Inspire Your DIY Designs! – Finding Your Good
- Noodle on This DIY: Fun Flowers From Pool Accessories & Goodwill Finds – Finding Your Good
- DIY: Toilet Paper Roll Flowers & Butterflies
Tim Kime
Artist, Motivational Speaker, Life Coach
