Don't let the outdoor twinkling Christmas lights steal all the attention this holiday season. Candles deserve just as much adoration for the magical element they add to the atmosphere. Leave the candle-in-a-jar for low-profile rooms of the house and spruce up the rest of the party pad with one or all of these illuminative options. Now that's a bright idea.

MATERIALS:
* Ivy bowl or other glass container
* Wire screen or packaged wire mesh
* Heavy-duty scissors
* Metallic spray paint
* 30 gauge wire (12 inches long)
* Jump rings
* Metallic colored string
* Beads
* Votive candle with small glass holder

DIRECTIONS: Cut a piece of the screen or mesh to fit completely around the bowl. Then spray paint the screen or mesh and let the paint dry. Gather the screen or mesh up and around the bowl and tie it under the lip with the wire. Carefully shape the screen in a balanced manner with hands. Attach a jump ring to each corner and string the beads and tie on to the jump rings. Insert votive in holder and place in the center of the bowl.
TIP: Do not use nylon screen because it will not hold shape or paint.

* For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: candle, lights, outdoors