Candle Holders and hanging Decorations from cast Concrete

1   Mould: Apply a coat of weather resistant lacquer to the inside of the box and lid, to prevent the papier-mâché dissolving from the wet concrete. Leave to dry.

2   Coat the mould for the candle holder with ordinary cooking oil prior to casting, in order to easily release the moulded shape when dry.

3   Concrete mixture: Mix 6 parts of Concrete craft powder to 1 part of water. Mix well and leave for approx. 2 min.

4   Pour the concrete mixture into the mould and leave for approx. 5 min.

5   Push a metal candle holder for either long candles or for tea lights into the concrete mixture. Leave to dry for 24 hours.

6   Release the concrete shape from the mould. The mould may break during this process. Remove any oil residues from the moulded shape using water and washing up liquid.

7   Prepare the mould for the hanging decoration (the lid) and make a hole for hanging. Here we have used a cork made from Silk Clay which is pushed into the hole as illustrated and left to dry. Now coat the mould with ordinary cooking oil like the mould for the candle holder.

8   Pour the concrete mixture into the mould.

9   You may add glass deco stones to the wet mixture. Leave to dry for 24 hours and release the moulded shape.

10   Push out the Silk Clay cork and attach a string for hanging.