DIY Cement Pumpkin Candle Holders

I've been playing with cement a lot lately.  It's fun to experiment with a new material.  I made 'BOO' garden stakes and a few '&' symbols for sitting on mantels and such.  And these cute little pumpkin candle holders were so easy to make.

And if you are local friends.  This Saturday's workshop at my Studio, downtown Bakersfield, is making these spooky chic, candle sticks.  Get your ticket HERE.

Copper is everywhere. And I love that it's really just an inexpensive material you can pick up at your local hardware store.  I love these with sleek black taper candles for halloween, but for a lighter airier look, they also look great with white candles.

Ok, here's what you'll need.

• quick dry cement
• plastic container for mixing the cement in
• plastic spoons
• gloves
• mini plastic jack o lanterns (I found these at the party store)
• 1" copper fitting (found in the plumbing section at the hardware store)
• x-acto or pocket knife
• needle nose pliers

Start by mixing a small amount of cement in your plastic container.  This Rapid Set dries extremely quickly, so you have to work fast.  Mix 4 parts cement to 1 part water, like a thick milkshake consistency.

Remove the handle from the plastic pumpkin and fill the pumpkins with cement by the spoonful. 

When the pumpkin is full, tap it firmly to remove any air bubbles.

Next, insert the copper fitting piece into the center of the cement.  Press it down so that half of the copper is in the cement and half is out.  Make sure that it is sitting straight in the cement, you don't want your candles leaning one direction.

Allow the cement to set for at least 15-20 mins. Then using a knife or x-acto, cut a small slit in the top of the plastic pumpkin.

Then using the pliers, peel away the plastic from the cement.

Allow the cement to cure completely over night and then place pretty taper candles in each little pumpkin.