Create Affordable Favors That Look Amazing

People who are looking to get the best quality for the lowest price realize that sometimes it is hard to have both.  If you looking for some  inexpensive decorating ideas for place settings at your dinner table or favors at your wedding, these decorated votive cups will fit the bill.  With a little bit of work you can have 1 of a kind decorations at a very low cost.  The price to put together one of these votive holders is under $2.00 and will be even cheaper if you use flowers or greenery from your garden or yard.

What you need to make favor:

• straight sided votive cups
• some ribbon (we used 1 1/2″ wide satin but any kind will do)
• raffia (twine or string can be used)
• double stick tape
• flowers (we used wild flowers on one and a lily on the other but you can use whatever you want, you can also use fake flowers, leaves, berry clusters, etc )
• votive candles to fill the cups

Step 1: Cut a piece of ribbon to wrap around the votive cup and over lap about 1/2″.

Step 2: Stick a small piece of double stick tape to the votive cup right about in the middle.  If you use a thinner ribbon and want it to wrap around near the top or bottom, put the tape on accordingly.

Step 3: Attach one end of the ribbon to the tape, stick a second piece of tape on top and near the end of the ribbon which is now attached to the cup.

Step 4: Wrap the ribbon around the votive cup keeping it as tight and straight as you can.  Press the end of the ribbon down onto the tape to hold it in place.

Step 5: Cut a piece of raffia or twine long enough to wrap around the votive cup 2 times and to tie a bow or knot.

Step 6: Wrap the raffia around the votive cup 2 times (you can do more or less, just cut the length accordingly) and tie in the flowers or greenery you chose for the decorative accent.

I found that with the lily flower, since it had a thicker stalk, it was easier to tie my raffia into a knot then tie the flower in with the bit of raffia that was left.  For the wild flowers, the raffia was loose enough that I could slip them in behind the raffia after I had tied it.

If you are making your decorations up pretty long in advance you might want to stick with fake flowers so that they don’t look dead by the time your guests arrive.  Also, very important note… make sure that whatever you use for the accent does not hang down into the votive cup and create a fire hazard when you light the candle inside.

Decorations for Summer Parties

With the 4th of July coming right around the corner many people are looking for patriotic decorating ideas for their parties.  Lots of decorative accents in red, white, and blue will be used on tables, walls, doors, and windows.  We have a lot of red, white, and blue candles to add to your home decor for the summer holidays but two new products we have found,  really stand out.  There are red, white, and blue star shaped floating candles in 2 sizes, and a 3 piece set of frosted votive cups with red, white, and blue stars on them.  The votive cups will hold a standard size votive candle.  The light shinning through the star shaped cutouts create a really neat light show.  These new candles and candle holders will really make decorating for your summer parties easy.

Another very simple way to decorate for summer is using red, white, and blue pillar candles on a mirror with some beaded garland.  Using pillars of varying heights will make a better display. Since we have very affordable candles that are made in the U.S.A., you can put together an attractive display with quality candles at a great price.

Magnetic Butterfly Accents

The beauty of displays and centerpieces is often enhanced with small decorative accents like ribbon, flower, sand, or garland.  We have a new line of magnetic butterfly decorative accessories that are gorgeous.  These butterflies are hand crafted and hand painted in vivid colors.  Each painted glass section is set in metal cutwork which gives the decorative butterflies as stained glass look.  The butterflies have a small magnetic disc attached underneath so they can be placed on any ferrous (containing iron) metal surface.  In addition, we also include a small suction cup with a built in metal disc which matches up perfectly with the magnet on the base of the butterflies.  With this suction cup these butterflies can be used on a myriad of smooth surfaces including, vases, mirrors, window, candles, and more.  These decorative accents can be use all around your home or at events such as weddings or banquets.  Our wide selection of available colors means you are sure to find glass butterflies to match your color scheme.  For other accents and decorative accents checkout U.S. Candle Company.

Scented Soy Votives Available in Inserts

We now offer votives in all of our soy fragrances in these polycarbonate inserts.  Why buy candles in inserts?  If you enjoy scraping left over wax out of your candle holders and getting wick tabs out then these are not for you.  However, if you are a candle lover, restaurant, or event planner, you should definitely check these out.  If you burn a lot of votive candles using these votive inserts will save time because they eliminate the wax mess left in your candle holders.  Simply remove the votive candle insert, recycle it, and replace it with a new one.  These plastic inserts will fit into any holders made for a standard size votive candle.  These votive inserts have a flat bottom so they can be used without another candle holder.  Simply set these inserts on a heat resistant surface like a charger or mirror and light it.

Submersible LED Decor Lights

We have new submersible LED lights that are great for adding to your displays in low light settings like wedding receptions or banquets.  These LED lights run on 2 batteries, which are included, and will last for approximately 8 – 10 hours.  The lights will sink to the bottom of any water filled container.  To turn the lights on/off simply twist the bottom half of the light.  You can put LED lights into floater bowls, water filled cylinder vases, or any other container.  If you aren’t using any type of floating candles or displays these lights can be used right on the table around your displays or centerpieces.  Our LED lights come in white, purple, blue, pink, and amber.  The floating candles at the top of the image are actually white candles in our 4″ diameter glass cylinder candle holders.

Hanging Candle Lanterns

We have new modern looking hanging candle lanterns that can be used both inside or outside.  They are nicely put together with a metal frame and have a clear glass cylindrical shade to protect the candle from the wind.  These candle holders can also be set on a table because they have a nice flat base.  You can use votive candles (in a votive cup), tealites, small jars, or pillar candles in these lanterns.  The lanterns come in 2 sizes ,  8″ and 9″ tall.  These candle lanterns can be combined with other accessories like beaded garland or candle rings to make beautiful table centerpieces for Thanksgiving and Christmas.   Your friends and family will rave about these table decorations.

Electric LED Branches

We have brand new decorating products for both home and events.  They are Electric LED Branches.  Each set of branches has 60 LED lights on them.  The stems of these branches can be bent and twisted to integrate with your floral or botanical displays.  The scattered lights throughout your arrangements will look absolutely gorgeous.  There is a 16 foot cord attached to the LED branches and plug so you can put these just about anywhere in your home and still reach an outlet.  We will soon be carrying battery powered LED branches too, making these even more versatile.  Florists and decorators could mix these in with their centerpieces to give clients a unique look for their events.  The branches are 19″ long from the base to the tip of the longest branch.

Candles Used in WEtv’s My Fair Wedding

We have candles featured in the WEtv’s series My Fair Wedding with David Tutera.   Our pillar candles along with some votive candles were used in the shooting of the “Spring Bride” episode which will be airing on Sunday, June 27 at 4pm | 3c, Thursday, July 1 at 2pm | 1c,  and Monday, July 19 at 11am | 10c.  David and his decorators did a great job using our candles to brighten up the wedding ceremony.  He also used the candles in the room where the reception was held… wow did it look amazing. Be sure to see this episode and get some ideas on how our candles can add elegance and beauty to your wedding day.

Gift Certificates The Perfect Gift

As Christmas gets closer I start to get hesitant to order gifts online because of the possibility it won’t get delivered in time.   Generally the reason I wait until the last minute is because I’m not sure what I want to get.  Well, if you find yourself in the same situation as me, our online gift certificates are a great solution.  The gift certificate can be purchased right off of our website at http://www.uscandleco.com/giftcert.php  They can be emailed directly to your friends or family members, which takes care of the shipping time problem.  The recipient can then go right to http://www.uscandleco.com and purchase what they want using the code they received in the e-mail.  You wont’ need to worry about matching their decor colors or style but still give the perfect gift.  *gift certificate is not a physical credit card type but a alpha-numeric code to enter during checkout.

Wedding Candle Ideas and Tips (part two)

Scent or No Scent?

Don’t rule out scent at your wedding reception. Choose candles that have a fruit or food related fragrance, such as vanilla, chocolate, apples, or berries. Still think scent is not right for your wedding? Use unscented candles from our pillar, votive, floater, and taper lines.

The Perfect Color

Don’t stress if we don’t have your “perfect” color. The lights in reception rooms are usually dim. The color trends for this year are bold, exotic, and bright. Aqua, Hot pink, oranges, yellows and lime green are the colors for 2009! Don’t want to go too bold? Use these shades as a splash of color in your candle arrangements.

Destination wedding

Want a destination wedding, but guests can’t afford to travel? Make the destination your wedding theme. Use exotic, tropical colors in your wedding candles and accessories.

Pearls and Ribbons

Create candle designs that are truly your own and save cash at the same time! Craft Stores carry pearl pins that you can pin to your wedding candles, and attach a ribbon in your wedding colors.

Unique Tables

Not all of the table centerpieces need to be exactly alike. You can decorate with a set of 3 pillars on one table and on the next table have a bowl with floating candles. The use of reed diffusers as a centerpiece can add dimension that is visually and aesthetically stimulating.

Also, let those centerpieces do “double duty”. Designate someone to distribute them to special friends or relatives, or to hospitals, churches, or retirement homes when your event is over. You could use them as prizes given to winners of games played during the reception.

Varying heights

Use candles of different heights to make a statement. A mixed arrangement of pillar candles, of all different sizes make a spectacular look.

Finishing touches

Create your own table decorations for a one-of-a-kind wedding! Use stones, beaded garland, or dried flowers as a finishing touch to your centerpiece.

Favors and Gifts

Our candles are cost-effective, so consider purchasing one for each guest at your reception. Wrap them in tulle, or with raffia ribbon, and leave them at each person’s place setting.

If you are stumped when it comes to what to get your bridesmaids, consider the gift of candles! Personalize each candle with a photo of the happy couple, either alone or with that bridesmaid, or with the wedding date, invitation, or design of your choosing processed on each candle!

Honeymoon romance

One of the most romantic ways to begin your lives together is by the light of a candle. Toss a candle tin or some tealites into your suitcase! You will earn points with your partner!

IT’S YOUR WEDDING! DO IT THE WAY YOU WANT!