How to Make a Romantic Candle Holder Using CD Cases
The weather is so lovely here at the moment that we’ve been spending most of our evenings outside. We’ll light a few candles and just look at the stars and chat about nothing and everything. Isn’t candlelight just so magical? There’s only one problem though. Mother Nature is still doing some spring cleaning and when she puts that windy vacuum cleaner of hers on she tends to blow out all the candles 😉 We needed a romantic candle holder.
Ain’t that pretty? The inspiration for the romantic candle holder came from this gorgeous Thinlits Die that the Sizzix team sent us to try out for free. It’s called Meadow Flowers. When I opened the package I just fell in love with the pattern. We’re very lucky that they chose us to be one of their creative partners and we’ve had so much fun making things, like our fairy toadstool and arrow bookends.
As luck would have it the Thinlits Die fits perfectly onto a CD case. And we had a whole bunch of empty ones that needed to be recycled.
Okay, before I show you how to turn CD cases into a romantic candleholder, please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram. And don’t forget to subscribe so you’ll never miss a crafty tutorial or DIY post!
What You Need
To make the romantic candle holder you need the following:
- 5 empty CD cases, just the lids
- Adhesive card stock. Normal card stock and spray adhesive will also work
- Scissors and all-purpose glue. I love using E6000 because it sticks anything to anything 😉
- Sizzix Meadow Flowers Thinlits Die or a pretty stencil
- Frosted spray paint (optional)
Making the Candle Holder
Start by removing the lids from the CD cases and cutting off the end bits. You can break them off or use a pair of scissors, but scissors is probably better since it leaves a cleaner cut.
Die-cut the Meadow Flowers onto four pieces of card stock. Sizzix kindly sponsored the hand-operated Big Shot, which means we have to crank that handle a bit to get the die to go through. But that’s good for the biceps, right!!? 😉 Remove the backing on the self-adhesive card stock and carefully align the beautifully cut dies onto the lids of four CD cases and stick down. If you don’t have access to a die cutting machine you could use a pretty stencil instead.
Spray the back of the CD cases lightly with frosted glass spray paint. The frosted glass paint gives the candle holder a mysterious, soft look that I abSooooooLutely love.
While you wait for the paint to dry, stick a piece of card stock to the 5th CD case lid. This will form the bottom of the romantic candle holder. Once the paint is dry, glue the four sides together to form a cube and then glue the cube onto the bottom. I used E6000 but instant glue or super will work too.
Add a candle. Not too big, you don’t want the plastic to melt 😉 CD cases are made from general-purpose polystyrene (GPPS) and will melt if they come into direct contact with the flame. So just be careful and make sure the candle has a stable base so it can’t fall over.
Doesn’t it look lovely?
Now Mother Nature can vacuum as much as she wants and our candles will still cast a warm romantic glow.
The romantic candle holder also looks lovely unlit and would make an adorable vase or you could use it as a pencil caddy in your craft room. And if you can’t find any empty CD cases you could always make one using cardstock, like we did when we made these “Winter” themed luminaries. Please only used battery-operated candles if you’re making one from cardstock.
I’d love to hear what you think? Have you recycled any CD cases lately? What did you use them for?
If you like the idea of making a candle holder using CD cases, don’t forget to pin it for later.
Oh before I forget, if you don’t want to go to the trouble of finding some of the materials we used, we’ve got you covered Disclosure: Clicking on the links below, means we may receive a commission from Amazon. But don’t worry it won’t come out of your pocket, and it helps us come up with more crafty ideas to share with you 😉
Wishing you a beautifully craft filled week.
I fond your blog just this week via pinterest. I love this project as I do some of the others too. Your crafts are elegant, they look professional and beautiful. Your detailed tuts are extremely helpful. I am in love with this CD recycling project as I have many clear cases as well as colorful ones. Thank you so much!
I’m so glad you found us in this big blogging cosmos of ideas Rupa. Thank you so much for your lovely words. It absolutely makes my day when someone takes a few minutes of their very valuable time and spends it with us ?
Can you please confirm what glue you used to stick all together please?
Hi Su, I used E-6000 to stick the CD cases together
I love your CD craft. I have some red ones so they will look good for Christmas Gifts. I will use a wooden coaster under the candle for safety purposes. I am in a Craft Class twice a month and this would make a great craft for our members (we have guys & gals).
I love the idea of using red CD cases for Christmas Lois. That is going to look so, so awesome
Very clever!
I have many of them and I ‘ll try to make some.
Thanks so much Rena ?
Michelle, this is a beautiful and clever repurpose of CD cases and I love the design!! What a great solution to keep those candles from being extinguished.
Isn’t that design just so beautiful? I was so happy whnen Sizzix sent us that one
Hello Michelle
I do say I have 2 left hands when it comes to creative matters, but your post has really inspired me.
Im not trying to be the best out there but I`m really tempted to give this a try.Thanks for sharing,this is really lovely.
Thanks so much Roamy, that means alot to me
Ok… this is something that only you could think ! I am so impressed once more! I love all the white and black details 🙂
? Thank you Christina. I was just think how lovely it would look with those gorgeous napkin pillow cases you made for the bedroom.
You are absolutely right! I had not think that!!!
Oh gosh, Michelle. What an adorable and beautiful idea. I have so many cases and this would be the perfect way to utilize them. I love the pattern you chose too. Thanks so much for sharing. I love your inspiring crafts.
? Thank you Carolann ?
Wow! What a great idea, Michelle! I will definitely try it! Kisses, my friend.
Thanks so much Mia xoxoxoxo
While I am not a DIYer, I think this is really creative. And it turned out so beautifully. Great job with this one!
Thanks so much Candy
This looks so cute. You are so very creative and talented. This DIY candle holder looks so stylish perfect for home decoration.
Thank you Elizabeth, I really appreciate that
You are a creative person, very good idea. I think candles it when lit up symbolize a lot of different meanings. This is a great idea for the upcoming Christmas season.
They would be perfect for Christmas, thanks so much Minh
This is so cool! I never would have thought of something so crafty from something so seemingly one-purposed. Such a great gift idea or just for your own repurposing – beautiful!!
Thanks so much Tara 😀
Wow! These are so cool and lovely, I never would have thought one can use empty plastic CDS for candle holders. Would definitely try them out!
Thanks so much Naomi, hope you get to try making them
This is such a creative way and will try to make one for myself. Yesterday only I have attended a workshop on candle making and was so fascinated.
That’s so great Pooja. I’d love to go to a workshop like that
This is sooo pretty! I wish I could be this creative. I’m gonna try this for christmas.
Thanks so much for you kind words Tee, they would look lovely at Christmas
Oh this is really smart and such a cute idea.. Would love to try this. I will do it with my kids I’m sure it will be fun!
The kids would really enjoy making these Shubhada ?
I will never be enough amazed by your creativity Michelle!! Reusing CD case, making them stylish and turning it into a Candle Holder? Absolutely wonderful AND Pretty!!
? Thank you Bea
This is so creative, I would have never thought about this! I need to check out if I have any cd cases.
? Glad you like it Courtney, hope you find some CD cases ?
oh its really cute, i have a lote of CDs en my home i do my best to make some for my friends i think it is a great gift. i’ll come back when i have the others materials 🙂
They do make lovely, inexpensive gifts if you’ve got some old CD cases lying around ?
Now that is a neat little craft! Never thought about making my own candle holder like this!
Thanks so much Vanessa and it’s so easy to do too
This is such a great idea! I love the pattern too. Now you made me regret that I thrown all my cd-cases into recycling container some time ago. Will check, whether some are left by any chance. 🙂
Oh that’s a pity Ana, hope you find some ?
Oh wow, Michelle. You’ve done it again. These old CD cases are perfect as the housing for candles. A Sizzix seems like the perfect crafting partner 😉
Thank you Angie, we are so incredibly lucky to have been chosen as a Sizzix creative partner. I love the dies they send me every few months. I just wish I had more time to play with them all
You are such a clever girl, Michelle! This is a very lovely and creative idea, and of course a fabulous upcycling project!
I do get your blogposts on Bloglovin’ now. Yeahhh!!! 🙂
Thank you so much for your kind words on the death of our kittens. You’re so sweet, my friend! I know you’re an animal lover as well who cares a lot for her furry family members. ♥
xo Julia
My heart broke for you Julia. It was so terribly sad. I hope Cosmo is doing better now
I really like this idea! What a great way to upcycle CD cases! I love the design you used! It is pretty with or without candlelight,
Thanks so much Samantha 😀
Wow, this is gorgeous. I love the thinlits die! Stunning pattern. Your evenings of sitting out under the stars sound wonderful, and I’m sure these create just the right ambience. Love it!
Thanks so much Amy and your right that pattern is really pretty. I can’t wait to try it on something else
These look amazing! I am slowly learning how to craft from what I have around the house, but truly would never have thought of this idea! I love the ease of how you put them together. I think the next time I have loose cd cases, I’m going to have to try this.
Thanks so much Emily. Our homes are always our biggest craft store, there are so many things we can repurpose
This is so pretty Michelle! Brilliant way to use up all the empty CD cases, and we have lots of those. Don’t know what the hubby does with the CD’s but they never make it back into their cases.
I LOVE LOVE that pattern. I haven’t heard of the Thinlits Die, but it sure looks like a handy little tool.
😀 Linda, we’ve got the exact same problem here. Those CD’s seem to disappear into thin air
What an awesome DIY! It looks chic and romantic but easy to make. Thanks for the steps. I think I might be inspired to get to work on the DIY’s I have planned in my head.
Thanks so much Erica, I hope you get to do all those DIYs. It’s loads of fun
What a great idea! I have literally just thrown away probably about 150 dvds. I could have kept a few cases if I knew about this beautiful diy candle holder. I use candles a lot in my house because i love their pretty aroma.
I’m kinda addicted to those scented candles. They’re the best
Michelle these are so pretty. I have always been wondering what to do with the CD cases and this to me is such a lovely solution. It looks so professional with your machine. I can only imagine the ambiance it must create. Beautiful and very creative!
Thank you Mary. I’m still a little dumb founded that Sizzix picked us as a creative team member. I’m so grateful though. Their dies are beautiful
I love candles. But i am usually bad at DIY projects but with your instructions I might not be that bad lol
This is a real easy one to do. Just cut and paste 😉 Thanks for saying hi though Dee, I really appreciate that
I haven’t done a thing with any of my CD cases, or junk CD’s in them. I have a ton of them though. I love this little upcycle Michelle! Those candle holders are so pretty with the stencil backing.
Thanks so much Florence. Since memory sticks came out we have tons of CD’s that have no purpose anymore, so we might as well re-purpose them
It is a rainy/cloudy day here as well and looking at those candle holders, I feel I need my own.
How cool that Thinlits Die were the perfect size as a CD case! And how cool that you thought of this idea in the first place. I do not own any CDs, and have no idea wha happened to all the ones that I did own a decade back – but if I did – I would have sent them all to you – haha – as I have mentioned before, I do not have a DIY bone in my body but you sure inspire me with your creativity. You can definitely sell these on etsy. Right? 🙂
LOL Tanvi, if you ever find those CD’s, send them over. I’ll make something just for you ?
Michelle, your candle holder really does have such a romantic vibe to it, you would never guess it´s made from cd cases, brilliant! And I really like the black flowers you chose, especially this time of year. That is one cool machine you´ve got!
🙂 Aren’t they just beautiful. I was so impressed with how nicely the Big Shot cut the pattern out. The detail is lovely