Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Apple Votives

I have no idea where I found the idea for apple votives, surely too long ago to remember, perhaps it was in France during the era of Parisian florist Christian Tortu, because to me the concept is not new and I have been making these for ages but not recently. In any case, I did not invent it; but I have gotten a handful of requests for more information, so here goes~ 

You can scour your farmers market and grocery for apples, tomatoes, pumpkins, citrus, cauliflower, broccoli and indeed anything fresh, to hold votive and taper candles; anything natural that can act as a weighted base is perfect; I will show you more examples soon.  I used just two apple votives last weekend on each of eighteen lunch table for the San Diego Organic Farmers lunch, and everyone was gaga for them.  Paul Smit had generously given me two crates of apples and another of grapes, and when I was done with the centerpieces, what was I to do with all the extra apples? Though it was lunch, votives added a nice touch~IMG_9179

Start with one apple of any size and one inexpensive votive candle; these small apples are crisp and cute and the small apples have a good ratio of candle to apple~

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Using a knife, cut a hole in the top of the apple that is approximately the same diameter as the candle; the knife is at an angle, better to cut smaller and increase than have the space too large; but try it once an you will understand~

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You should end up with two pieces like this, reserve this little cap~

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Using your knife, cut out the interior space to accommodate the candle base; it doesn’t have to be pretty, just has to fit the candle~

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Cut the bottom off of the original cap you cut out; this provides a flat bottom for the candle wick, very important!! Otherwise your wick might drop out of the bottom of the candle~

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Replace the little triangle cutting into the apple, again, flat side up, to keep the candle wick from falling into the bottom of the apple~

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Set the votive candle with wick minus the aluminum cup into the apple and light…and enjoy….do not ever leave any candle unattended and I use leaves or other under these votives to catch any dripping wax~

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Don’t limit yourself to apples. What about lining your walk or party table with mini pumpkin votives?  Use the same technique to take this~

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to this, each one will take you a minute to prepare~ use whatever to stuff the pumpkin to support the candle; I used some apple scraps~

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both are cute side by side, and most effective at night. I love the glow of the pumpkin~

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and in the few minutes it took to get these pics up, this is what the votives look like, as the candle burns down; they look even better~

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Perhaps this will give you a few ideas for Thanksgiving, or Christmas, or even next year for Halloween??  Enjoy~

AND Be sure to enter the Giveaway of French Basketeer & Metis Linens goods hosted by the lovely & talented Yvonne of STONE GABLE.

23 comments:

  1. What a wonderful idea.

    Thank you for sharing!!!!

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  2. Those are so pretty!! I am totally going
    to do that for Thanksgiving :)

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  3. Love this idea!! If my mini pumpkins make it to Thanksgiving, I'll be using them...if not, apples!

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  4. I love the apple and pumpkin votive candle holders-just in time for Thanksgiving tables!!

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  5. I love this idea... so simple but yet so pretty!

    ~Chris

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  6. Such a charming idea!
    I just might steal it!!

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  7. Oh I love the little pumpkins even more! I'm going to have to show this one to my husband because I seriously cannot be trusted with a sharp knife. :)

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  8. LOVE this idea Andrea~ I think I am going to do this for my Thanksgiving dinner table! :) Thanks so much for the wonderful idea~ xoxo Rachel

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  9. This is a fun and easy little decor update...I might try this on our table tonight. I came over here from Stone Gable...such a generous give-away. I am a follower now. So glad I found you. We lived in Paris and are now in so. Calif too!

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  10. I just HAVE to share this little story with you: I found beautiful, big, red, shiny apples, so I did this (years ago), using tall tapers. Our little niece came in, looked at them (I could see the wheels turning), she gently removed the candle and took a big bite out of the apple! We still laugh about that. Thanks for the great giveaway at Stone Gable. I'm following you now. I hope you'll stop by and visit me and perhaps follow too.

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  11. Love this. Did it for my back to school breakfast with apples. Pumpkins may be next. :)

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  12. I did it with Pumpkins, never apples.
    Great idea for both holidays.

    yvonne

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  13. I have seen this before in mini pumpkins but never in apples....Clever idea!!!

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  14. I love this idea! I have a gourd that might work, too! ♥

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  15. Hi Andrea!

    I've used apples for holding my votives, but I didn't think to use pumpkins - thanks for the idea!!! :) Hope you are enjoying your week so far! Take care and have a great night!


    Hugs,
    Jessie

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  16. I just became a follower, thanks to Stone Gable. You have a lovely site.
    Thank you!

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  17. Hi Sweetie...
    Oh I simply LOVE this post. SO gorgeous. I had never thought about using an apple or pumpkin to drop a little votive into for a table setting. How simply dreamy this is. I can't wait to add this to my Holiday table. My mind is swimming with ideas sweet friend. Thank you, thank you for the gorgeous share.

    Have a gorgeous weekend sweetie, Sherry

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  18. We are going to Paris over TG. Will you send me a list of must sees? I love your pumpkin candles.
    Best,
    liz

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