How to Make a Mica Hurricane Candleholder

Follow these instructions by Monica Hereen to make your own candles.

Materials and Tools:

square glass vase
silver alkyd mica sheets
silver heat & air condition tape
26-gauge gold wire
glass beads
embossing marker
hematite embossing powder
heat gun
ruler
craft knife
utility knife
jewelry pliers
wire cutters
potholder

Steps:

1. Measure side panels of vase, add 1/4 inch to the width dimension and cut four pieces silvery mica.

2. Measure and cut four pieces of silver heat and air tape. They should be 1/2-inch wide by the length of the vase.

3. Line up the mica panels (side, face, side, face) with sides abutting, and tape along the length.

4. Burnish for a tight seal. Apply the half of the final piece of tape to one end panel and fold the panel back, onto itself.

5. Fold the opposite end panel onto itself and attach to the exposed half of the tape.

6. Stand the panel and open diagonally to form the hurricane. Place hurricane around the glass vase.

7. Cut three lengths of gold wire. Thread three or four beads onto each wire, back threading the wire through each bead to secure its position on different sides of the hurricane. Finish the wire end by rethreading through the first bead on the wire twice. Trim the wire end.

8. Remove hurricane from vase. Trace a design onto the glass vase using an embossing marker. Dust with embossing powder and heat-emboss with heat gun. Use a potholder; glass will become hot.

9. When glass cools, replace mica hurricane and add candle. Never leave a candle burning unattended.