Among the many ’70s trends making a comeback, incorporating mushrooms into decor is undeniably the most charming. Instead of splurging on a pricey mushroom candle holder, indulge in a budget-friendly DIY project. Using an upcycled jam jar for the stem, some paint, a tealight, and either plaster or clay, you can create a delightful handmade mushroom candle holder that would be a perfect fit for any Smurf’s home. This innovative way to repurpose an old glass jar requires minimal skill, materials, and time.
To embark on this delightful mushroom decor DIY, gather a small to medium-sized glass jar, some plaster of Paris, a paintbrush, a couple of paint colors, a hot glue gun, and a tealight candle with a metal, plastic, or glass base. It’s also advisable to have a tube of glue handy to strengthen the connection between the mushroom cap and the jar’s lid.
To craft the mushroom’s cap, find a plastic bowl or a silicone mold that is approximately 2 inches wider in diameter than the jar. If you’re reusing a plastic container, ensure its sides are flexible enough to easily release the plaster cast, resulting in a smooth, even surface for your cap. For a more organic appearance, replace the plaster of Paris and mold with air-dry clay, allowing you to sculpt it into a natural shape with your hands.
Craft a Charming Mushroom Jar
For the plaster of Paris approach, first remove the tealight candle from its cup base and place the base upside-down inside your mold, securing it temporarily with hot glue. Follow the plaster of Paris mixing instructions, pour it over the tealight’s base, and fill the mold to its rim. Carefully press the jar’s lid into the plaster’s surface, ensuring it’s centered. Allow the plaster to dry for the recommended time.
Sculpting with air-dry clay doesn’t demand much artistic skill. For this method, take a chunk of clay about the size of the jar and shape it into a mushroom cap. Gently press the tealight base and jar lid into the top and bottom of the clay cap, adjusting the shape as needed. Let the clay dry according to the product instructions.
Once your cap is dry, reinforce the edges around the jar’s lid with glue. Either Gorilla Glue or E6000 works well for bonding different materials. Paint the jar with a light color like white, tan, or cream to mimic a mushroom stem. For the cap, use vibrant shades like red, deep orange, yellow, or orangey-brown, and add spots using the jar’s paint color. Place a tealight in the top, and enjoy your lit creation. You can also store small matches inside the jar for convenience.
