inspired ideas

Making Memory Candles

{A project from the Inspired Ideas Archives}

This is such a fun way to display photographs! The technique uses black and white photocopies and transparent contact paper to transfer images to glass votive candleholders. What happens is that the black ink sticks to the contact paper. It's a lot of fun to do. You'll be surprised by the results. It's like magic!
The first thing you want to do is find images that you want to use. Old black and white photos work best because of the high contrast. When you photocopy the image, play around with the contrast and resolution controls on the copier to get the results you desire. Again, high contrast works best. Oh, and it won't work with inkjet printers. Either photocopy the images or print using a laser printer.

I recommend using the small votive cylinder candleholders found commonly at craft stores. If you use this size, size your photographs to fit on a 2" high x 6.5" long strip.


Cut a piece of the transparent contact paper (usually found with the shelf-liner papers at discount stores) to fit over your photo layout.

Peel the backing from the contact paper and place the photocopied image ink-side to the sticky side of the contact paper. If there is any excess sticky parts of the contact paper, adhere plain white paper to it.

Burnish or rub the contact paper to the inked parts of the photocopy. It's best to do this from the paper side instead of the plastic contact paper side. Be careful to rub all of the areas of the image where there is ink.


Trim the contact-paper-covered print out to size. Please note: It works best to let the contact paper wrap around the candleholder completely.



Next, soak the paper-covered plastic in a sink of warm water for at least 7 minutes.



Some of the paper may begin to fall off on its own. Working under running water, carefully roll your thumb and/or fingers over the inked plastic to remove all of the paper.



Don't rub too hard or the ink will start to come off.

After all the paper is removed, allow the strip to dry, inked (and soon-to-be-sticky-again) side up on a table or counter. As long as the contact paper is wet, it isn't sticky. As it dries, the tackiness will return. You may see bits of paper you missed when the piece was wet. If this happens, just work with it under running water, using your thumb to rub off all traces of paper.



Finally, adhere the inked contact paper to a clean and dry glass votive holder. Add a candle... and tah-dah!



Wouldn't this make a terrific gift? Don't be limited to just photos...you can do this with a cherished letter (photocopy!) or a quote that you really like. Or a combination of photo with a quote. It's so much fun. Give it a try!