How to Make Ceramic Candle Holder

Creating a ceramic candle holder is a rewarding and creative process that allows you to craft a functional piece of art. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced potter, making a candle holder gives you the opportunity to experiment with shapes, textures, and glazes.

This project not only enhances your crafting skills but also results in a beautiful item that can add a warm, decorative touch to your home or serve as a thoughtful handmade gift. This guide will walk you through how to make ceramic candle holder effectively and with minimal effort.

Why Make Your Own Ceramic Candle Holders?

Creating your own ceramic candle holders comes with numerous benefits, making it an exciting and fulfilling activity. Firstly, it allows you to express your creativity and make a one-of-a-kind piece that reflects your personal style. Unlike mass-produced options, handmade candle holders can be customized in terms of size, color, and design, ensuring they perfectly match your decor or preferences.

Additionally, crafting your own items provides a deeper sense of satisfaction and pride, as each finished piece tells a story of your effort and imagination. Furthermore, ceramic candle holders are durable and environmentally friendly, offering a sustainable alternative to plastic or less eco-conscious materials. Whether for yourself or as heartfelt gifts for loved ones, handmade ceramic creations carry a unique charm that simply cannot be replicated.

Choosing the Right Type of Candle Holder

When selecting the ideal candle holder, it’s important to consider both functionality and aesthetics. Start by thinking about the type of candles you plan to use—whether tealights, taper candles, votives, or pillar candles—as different holders are designed to accommodate specific shapes and sizes. Additionally, consider the material of the holder, as options like ceramic, glass, wood, or metal each bring their own unique style and durability to the table. The design and color should also complement your existing decor, creating a harmonious look in your space. Lastly, prioritize safety features such as sturdy bases or heat-resistant materials to ensure that your candle holder is both beautiful and practical.

10 Methods How to Make Ceramic Candle Holder

1. Choosing the Right Clay for Your Project

Creating a ceramic candle holder begins with selecting the appropriate clay body that aligns with both the aesthetics and functional requirements of your final piece. Stoneware clay is a popular choice due to its strength, durability, and ability to withstand high temperatures, making it suitable for holding candles safely.

If you desire a more refined or delicate look, porcelain offers a smooth finish and elegant translucency, though it requires careful handling. For a more rustic or natural effect, earthenware clay may be used, although additional care must be taken to glaze and seal it properly. Regardless of type, always wedge your clay thoroughly to eliminate air bubbles that could cause cracks or explosions during firing.

2. Designing Your Candle Holder’s Shape and Functionality

Before shaping your clay, consider the form and function of your candle holder. Will it be a traditional taper holder, a tea light cup, or a sculptural piece that holds multiple candles? Think about the balance and proportions—your holder should have a stable base to prevent tipping, and the candle chamber must snugly accommodate the candle type you intend to use. You can sketch your design first or visualize it mentally, making decisions on the presence of handles, drainage holes (for outdoor use), or decorative elements. The clearer your design intention, the more confidently you can approach the building process.

3. Hand-building Techniques: Coil, Slab, or Pinch

If you’re not using a pottery wheel, hand-building methods provide versatile ways to shape your holder. A pinch pot technique works well for making small votive holders—simply form a ball of clay and pinch the center into a bowl shape. For a taper holder, you might form a central socket using a small coil or tube and attach it to a slab-formed base. Coil building allows you to construct more intricate or taller designs, such as tiered holders or sculptural pieces. Make sure to score and slip (scratch and add liquid clay) any joints to ensure a strong bond between pieces.

4. Throwing a Candle Holder on the Wheel

For those familiar with wheel-throwing, this method allows for the creation of symmetrical and refined candle holders. Center a ball of clay on the wheel and open it up with your fingers while keeping the walls thick enough to support the weight of a candle. If making a taper holder, use tools or your fingers to form a vertical socket in the center of the piece. The wheel also allows for easier creation of plate-style holders for pillar or tea light candles. Carefully pull and shape the walls, then use trimming tools to refine the foot and any surface details once the piece is leather hard.

5. Creating Decorative Details and Texture

While the clay is still workable, you can enhance your candle holder with textures, stamps, or sculptural embellishments. Consider pressing lace, leaves, or carved stamps into the surface for intricate patterns. Carving geometric or floral motifs with fine tools can add elegance. Adding small handles, cut-outs, or sculptural features like stars or moons can give the piece personality and function, such as allowing candlelight to shine through. Just be sure these additions are not too thin or fragile to survive firing, and that they don’t compromise the stability of the holder.

6. Drying the Piece Thoroughly

Proper drying is critical to prevent cracking or exploding during firing. Place your candle holder in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight and allow it to dry slowly over several days. You may cover it lightly with plastic during the first day to help even out the drying process, especially if your design includes parts of varying thickness. Check for dryness by touching the surface—bone dry clay feels room temperature and chalky. Avoid firing prematurely, as trapped moisture can cause serious damage in the kiln.

7. Bisque Firing Your Candle Holder

Once the piece is fully dry, it’s ready for the bisque fire, the first of two kiln firings. This process hardens the clay and removes any remaining organic material, preparing the piece for glazing. Carefully place your candle holder in the kiln, ensuring it is not touching other pieces. The bisque fire usually runs between cone 06 and cone 04, reaching temperatures of 1730°F to 1940°F. After the firing is complete and the kiln has cooled, your candle holder will be firm but still porous enough to absorb glaze.

8. Glazing for Finish and Function

Glazing adds color, shine, and protection to your candle holder. Choose glazes that suit your aesthetic vision, whether it’s a glossy white, a speckled matte, or vibrant layered hues. Apply the glaze by brushing, dipping, or spraying, taking care not to glaze the bottom unless you plan to stilt it during firing. For functional pieces like candle holders, especially those used with wax candles, it’s important to ensure the glaze is non-toxic and heat resistant. You can also experiment with underglaze designs or wax-resist techniques for patterns and detail.

9. Glaze Firing for Final Transformation

After glazing, the piece goes through a second, hotter firing to vitrify the glaze and finalize the candle holder’s structure. Depending on your clay and glaze, this may range from cone 5 to cone 10 (2167°F to 2345°F). Arrange your pieces in the kiln with adequate spacing to avoid glaze drips from affecting other works. Once the kiln reaches its peak temperature and cools down, you can remove your finished candle holder and inspect it for consistency in glaze application, cracks, or unexpected effects. This is the moment when your raw materials transform into a lasting, functional ceramic item.

10. Finishing Touches and Safety Checks

With your candle holder now complete, take time to inspect it carefully. Sand the bottom lightly with a ceramic stone or sandpaper to remove any rough edges and ensure it won’t scratch surfaces. Test-fit the candle to ensure it stands securely. If the piece will hold real flames, confirm that it sits flat and stable, and that no glaze has pooled in areas that could overheat. Optionally, you can add felt pads underneath for furniture protection or even combine multiple holders with a ceramic tray for a complete centerpiece. Your handcrafted ceramic candle holder is now ready to illuminate any space with both light and artistry.

Conclusion

Creating a ceramic candle holder is a rewarding process that combines creativity, craftsmanship, and functionality. Each piece reflects your personal style and dedication, making it a unique addition to your home or a heartfelt gift for someone special. By following these steps and adding your own artistic touches, you can craft an item that is not only practical but also a true expression of your individuality. Remember, handmade creations carry a charm that no store-bought item can replicate, leaving a lasting impression for years to come.