Challenge Day at StampNation

Hello!

Today is a fun challenge, my favorite kind, and it's happening over at StampNation!  (Go here if you're not a member but would like to check it out.)  I've been invited to be a guest designer for the month of March, and the challenges happen each Thursday.  Today's theme is "Embellish It" (yes, I told you it was my favorite kind), and you simply need to add three (or more) embellishments to your project.  Are you kidding?  My motto is "embellish the embellishment," so this one was right up my alley.  

I've embellished a pillar candle to the nth degree, starting with melting tissue thin pieces of, well...tissue paper (a decorated paper guest towel) into the wax.  It's a two-handed yet very easy process, and the tissue actually becomes part of the candle's surface.

Here's a look at the back.  The surface is actually smooth (rolling the candle while hot is part of the process), but the tissue paper itself sometimes takes on a textured look.  

The center wrap is comprised of vellum, torn and inked, a strip of net ribbon, a strip of cream lace and a strip of vintage velvet ribbon.

My favorite part is the "flower" that I made from bits of vintage lace, new lace, a vintage applique, string pearls, a rusty metal piece from Mexico, a button and some bronze glitter glue.  I love making these unique "flowers" out of scraps of lace that might otherwise be discarded.

Here's a close up of the metal piece.  I have no idea what it is, but my mother brought it from her annual artist's trip to Puero Vallarta and it was perfect for this project.

As if all those embellishments weren't enough (they weren't), I also rubbed on a bit of gold Rub 'N' Buff over the surface.  It was the perfect finishing touch.

The nice thing about this project is that a pillar candle burns down inside and doesn't drip, therefore there's minimal risk of burning the outer surface and thus the embellishments (though you might feel more comfortable using this as a decorative candle only).  Once it's burned deep enough, you can even put a tea light (real or battery-operated) inside. 

Being a scented candle (spicy cinnamon), the scent was heavenly while I was working on it.

Thank you for joining me, and I hope you'll head on over to see what the rest of the Design Team at StampNation has created for you!  Then join the fun and create something with three (or more!) embellishments too!

Happy crafting!!

Challenges:

Craft Hoarder's Anonymous #3 - Vintage or Retro (I hoard vintage lace and pretty paper napkins and guest towels!)

This candle is for sale in my Etsy shop!