Crafted Spun Cotton Faux Candles

Spun cotton is a molding medium made popular in the early 1800’s as an inexpensive way to create Christmas ornaments. People would take spun cotton and wrap it around cardboard or wire frames and then molded with a glue or starch to mold and press the cotton together. Once the glue is dry, the cotton can be painted with acrylic paint. Spun cotton is a traditional craft that is a fun way to create all kinds of objects including Christmas ornaments. We decided to put our own spin on it and create handmade spun cotton faux candles. These are fun display items and were fun to make too.

Three tall, textured white candles with faux flames stand in clear glass candle holders on a wooden surface against a dark background.

If you like spun cotton crafts see how to make this spun cotton orange ornament.

Three glass candle holders, cotton, tacky glue, wooden dowels, and dowel pieces are arranged on a brown surface.

Supplies for Creating Crafted Spun Cotton Candles

-1″ diameter dowel rods at 4″, 6″ and 8″ length

-Small dowel pieces ” 1 inch in length

-White craft glue

-Decoupage medium or a white craft glue mixture of 6 parts glue to 1 part water

-Spun Cotton batting

-Craft paint in white, yellow, orange, tan, brown and red

-Soft, flat brush

Assemble the Candle Base

To create the faux candles, assemble the base. Glue the small dowel rod to the top of each of the larger dowel rods. This will give the base candle form.

A close-up of a white cylindrical object, resembling one of the popular Spun Cotton Faux Candles with a thin stick protruding from the top, set against a background of shelves, books, and craft supplies.

Once the form is dry, use a brush to paint it with white craft paint. This will give it a good base in case the cotton doesn’t cover it all.

A person uses a paintbrush to apply white paint to a cylindrical object on a brown surface, with paint palettes nearby.

Sculpt the Flame

Once the paint is dry, paint a layer of glue mixture or decoupage medium on the surface. Sometimes it helps to work in sections.

A person applies white paint to a small cylindrical object using a brush, with cotton in hand.

Person applies brown paint with a brush to the end of a white cardboard tube wrapped in cloth. The watermark “Jennifer Rizzo” is in the lower right corner.

Sculpt the Candle

Take a thin, square section of cotton batting and wrap it around the glue covered area. Use the brush dipped in the adhesive to brush over and slightly saturate the cotton while pressing and molding with the brush. Work all of the way around the candle until the entire surface is molded and covered.

Person sculpting a small figure with white material using a metal tool at a table. The name “Jennifer Rizzo” appears on the lower right corner of the image.

Add enough batting until the candle fits inside of a candle holder. This will keep it upright. One the surface is smooth, let the candle dry upright for 24 hours in the candle holder. After 24 hours move the candle from the holder and let the base dry. It’s important to remove it so the wet part doesn’t mold in the candle holder. Let that dry completely in the open air 24-48 hours.

Person painting a fabric-wrapped object with white liquid using a brush, sitting at a table with crafting materials.

once the candle is completely dry it’s time to paint!

Paint the Outside of the Faux Candle

Paint the outside of the entire spun cotton candle with a white craft paint. Then brush with a tan paint. Brown paint can be added at this time for a more primitive look.

A hand paints a textured, white sculpted candle with a flame on a brown surface, reminiscent of Spun Cotton Faux Candles. The name “Jennifer Rizzo” appears in the lower right corner.

Paint the Flame

Paint the flame by adding a base coat of yellow over the entire flame surface.

A paintbrush applies yellow paint to a textured white object on a brown paper surface. The name “Jennifer Rizzo” appears in the bottom right corner.

And then add red or range at the base.

A paintbrush applies yellow paint to the beak of a textured, white bird sculpture on a brown surface.

Blend the two colors together in where they meet. Add some white highlights along the candle. Let dry.

A paintbrush applies white paint to the yellow and red tip of a textured object on brown paper, with paint spots nearby.

Once the Candle is dry it should fit snugly into your candle holders and be ready to use in your decor! These are so cute when grouped together on a mantel!