Aluminum Leaves Candle Ring

*A word of caution. The edges of the aluminum are very sharp, so you may want to use protective gloves when cutting the aluminum.*

I used a variety of leaves from my yard as templates and traced around them onto the card stock. The leaves should be no wider than 4-1/2" across, so you'll be able to fit 4 leaves onto a pie pan.

Next you will need to carefully cut your aluminum pans to an area that is at least 8" across. Use the dowel to smooth out the the aluminum.

Lay the leaf templates out onto the pie pan and trace around them with the non-working ink pen, then carefully cut the leaves out, using utility shears. Repeat these steps for all of the pie pans.

Next take the non-working ink pen and 'draw' veins onto all of the leaves. I went from the stem to the ends of the leaves and looked at the actual leaves to make the veins.

At this time, wash all of the leaves with dish washing detergent and let them dry. When dry, arrange the leaves around the wire frame to get an idea of how you want your candle ring to appear. Hot glue the stems of the leaves onto the wire frame, let dry, and enjoy your candle ring....or give it to someone special as a gift.

Supplies

6-8 Disposable Aluminum Pie Pans

10" Silver Wire Wreath Frame

Utility Shears

Dowel

Pencil

Card Stock

Small Scissors

Non-working Ink Pen

Glue Gun

Step 1: Supplies

6-8 disposable pie pans

small scissors

utility shears

pencil

leaves (to use to make templates)

silver wire frame

dowel

non-working ink pen

ruler

hot glue gun

Step 2:

I used a variety of leaves from my yard as templates and traced around them onto the card stock. The leaves should be no wider than 4-1/2" across, so you'll be able to fit 4 leaves onto a pie pan.

Step 3:

Next you will need to carefully cut your aluminum pans to an area that is at least 8" across. Use the dowel to smooth out the the aluminum edge.

Step 4:

Lay the leaf templates out onto the pie pan and trace around them with the non-working ink pen.

Step 5:

Carefully cut the leaves out, using utility shears. Repeat these steps for all of the pie pans.

Step 6:

Smooth out all of the leaves w/ the dowel.

Step 7:

Next take the non-working ink pen and 'draw' veins onto all of the leaves. I went from the stem to the ends of the leaves and looked at the actual leaves to make the veins look as much like the leaves as possible.

Step 8:

Wash the leaves with dish washing liquid and allow them to dry.

Step 9:

Arrange some of the leaves around the wire frame to get an idea of how you want your candle ring to appear and then hot glue the stems to the wire frame.

Step 10:

Place a favorite candle inside your candle ring and then stand back and admire your creation. :-)

Step 11:

Step 12:

Comments

[nils2u]

What a cool idea! I especially like the repurposing of the pans to leaves. With so many different leaves and all the detailed ribs on each, it looks like a real wreath, shock-frozen and cast in metal - just perfect for the wintery times.
Have you tried, if it‘s possible to imprint the leaf marks directly on the foil by pressing with a dowl or glass?
A lot of work you put into the project, but definitely worth it!
One more, on my list of projects........ :-)

[Cyntimental]

Thank you so much, nils2u! You actually have to press fairly hard to trace around the leaf templates. I just found that an old ball point pen worked really well to 'draw' the leaves onto the aluminum.

[MuzicMaker]

Beautiful! They have flat, unlined aluminum at HD or Lowe’s for flashing - it’s super cheap (like 50 cents or something) and it’s easy to work with. Copper flashing would be really nice too! Alternatively, you could get a 2- or 3-pack of lasagna pans at the dollar store.

[Cyntimental]

Thank you, MuzicMaker. Oh! I really like your idea of using copper flashing. That would be so pretty for fall!

[seamster]

This is such a fun and clever idea, and with a great looking unique result. I like it!

[Cyntimental]

Thank you so much seamster! I really appreciate the kind words! It took awhile to cut out all those intricate leaves, but it was a really fun project! (I'm working on another 'aluminum project' from the 'scraps' that were leftover from this project, and plan to enter it in the December contest. ;-)
Thanks again!
Cyn