A couple of weeks ago, it was my pleasure to team up with Francesca Connolly, the NYC Editor of Remodelista, for a talk on design and entertaining at Brooklyn’s amazing Book Court. Since Book Court is my neighborhood shop, I really wanted to do something there to mark the launch of my new book THE ART OF THE PARTY, and the evening was great fun. In addition to chatting and showing a lot of images from our events, we also set up a cool dining table with many DIY ideas, all created from every day materials available at the local hardware or craft store.
I thought it would be fun to share one of those ideas with you here today. Our vellum accordion luminaries utilize simple glass cylinders or drinking glasses that house pillar candles or votives. When encased within the filmy vellum, the effect is soft, romantic, and simply chic. It’s also rather EASY. Here’s what you need:
• glass cylinder
• votive candle
• glue stick
• 11” x 17” sheets of vellum
• pair of scissors
Using an 11”x17” piece of vellum lengthwise, cut a piece large enough to be an inch or two above the glass cylinder. Start folding in half, and then in half again, and again until your folded piece is about 1” wide. Unfold. Use the creases as your guide as you make another fold in between those creases, folding back and forth accordion style until you reach the end.
Cut off the last fold.
Apply a generous amount of glue stick to one end and wrap around and secure it to the other end.
Slip over the glass and add a votive inside.
Photos by Susie Montagna
Of course, we used the luminaries amongst a still life of books, paper flowers and grasses that we created, but they would be fabulous on their own, too, in various sizes.
Cheers!
D.
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