Transform Inexpensive Clothespins Into A Rustic Candle Holder Just In Time For Spring

Have you ever looked at an unassuming pile of clothespins and wondered "could these be something more than just a laundry room essential?" There seems to be an infinite number of ways to transform your everyday clothespins into useful features around your home, including the clothespin hack to bring more colorful birds to your garden. But when it comes to lighting, you might find it difficult to transform your decor using clothespins, especially when they're next to an open flame. That's where this DIY comes in, providing the perfect trick to elevate your candle holders with a rustic flare. With a bit of creativity, you can transform your dull features into standout decor without breaking the bank on expensive accents.

The beauty of this trick is that it relies on items that you likely already have around your home, including a few clothes pins, a plastic or metal jar lid, jute string, and a candle within a glass container. It should be noted that you will need some form of glass barrier between your flame and the clothespins, as they are flammable and can create a safety hazard around your space. If your candle doesn't have a container, you can use a small vase or a lowball glass to achieve a similar effect. To get yourself started, lay your lid upside down so it sits flat on your work surface. Secure your clothespins to the rim of the lid, tracing around the edge until it is completely covered. Ensure that you have enough space for your candle to fit, secure the clothespins by wrapping it with the string, and just like that — you're finished. Add in the glass container and your candle, and you have the perfect decor piece for spring.

With your newly created candle holder in hand, you're ready to move on to the fun part of the project — customization. There are a number of ways to personalize your project and it merely depends on your existing decor style. Due to the jute string wrapped around it, the design already has a bit of rustic charm. Finish it off with a small bow and you have the perfect DIY rustic centerpiece to impress your guests at any function. For a seasonal touch, you can add floral elements between each clothespin, letting them stick out to create an organic arrangement. Just be careful when placing flowers next to an open flame, as they do have the potential to catch fire, creating a safety hazard from your decor.

The customization of this trick isn't limited to simple embellishments or accents, as you can also paint or stain your clothespins as well. Choose a stain that is going to accent your space or tables-cape to help pull focus to the more rustic elements around your home. Darker shades can create an excellent contrast between the candle itself. Additionally, you can also paint your clothespin candle holder, alternating between different colors for a whimscial accent. Pastels can be an excellent choice for a bit of springtime decor. If patterns fit the aesthetic of your space a little better, you can ModPodge a bit of construction or craft paper onto the front face of your clothespin. Swap out construction paper with decorative paper napkins for an alternative, enhanced budget-friendly solution.

If you love the idea of using clothespins as unique candle decor, why stop at one simple project? There are a number of creative ways to use clothes pins around your home and garden, especially when it comes to holding candles. One method involves laying out five clothespins so that they are arranged in a star-shaped pattern. You can secure them using glue or adhere them to a wooden tray as a catch-all for any wax that might drip. Each clothespin serves as its own individual candle holder, allowing you to display up to five small tapered candles. With a bit of creativity, you can easily customize it to your individual decor preferences, from staining the wood to using a unique coaster at the bottom. 

For a bit of additional complexity, you can create a lantern entirely out of clothespins and two rounded wooden disks. Simply create two rows of clothespins, the top facing down and the bottom facing up. Secure the bottom row of pins to your wooden board using hot or wood glue, essentially creating a ring of clothespins. Repeat the process for the upper portion of the lantern without securing the lid, as it needs to be removable to add in the light. For this DIY, we recommend using a LED candle to be on the safe side.