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    Home » DIY Projects

    How to Make Log Candle Holders In About an Hour

    November 15, 2022 by Patti Estep 39 Comments

    Jump to How-to Card
    Row of wooden log candle holders on a table over a drill cutting a hole in a log.

    This tutorial for DIY wooden candle holders costs virtually nothing to make and took about 1 hour for nine pretty candlesticks. It's a great way to use natural elements that are so beautiful around the home and the price can't be beaten.

    rustic candle holder made from logs

    This year I wanted to have a woodland theme for my Christmas decor. I know that making candlesticks from logs has been done before, what hasn't, but this was the first time for me.

    This post contains some affiliate links (that means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, there’s no additional cost to you, but I will earn a very small commission. ) i.e. as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

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    Old firewood logs

    We have a couple of woodpiles from trees that were cut down on the property. I tried to pick out the nicest looking round logs that were on the thinner side. 

    Note: Before bringing them into the house, inspect for insects. Bang them on the ground and against each other to knock pests off. You could also place them in a low temperature oven on a foil-covered cookie sheet for a few hours to kill any bugs.

    Wild grapevine wreath made my hand.

    It's great to be able to use natural materials from your property to decorate your home. One project I have been loving lately is making my own grapevine wreaths. They look so pretty and it puts that invasive irritating vine to good use.

    Succulent log planter on outdoor table with plant mister and old hypertufa

    I've also used logs to create planters like this succulent log planter to use as an outdoor centerpiece during the summer.

    Lining up log candlesticks on a stair.

    Making Wooden Candle Holders from Logs

    This was a team effort. My husband did a lot of the heavy work, but I know many of you ladies out there could easily pull this off.

    First, he cut the logs on one side to make them square. Then I showed him how long to make each piece.  Boy was that sawdust messy! I decided I would probably need about nine good sized pieces for our dining room table.

    Wood log in vice.

    Next, we went to the basement and put each piece in a vice. You could have someone else hold it but a vice is a perfect tool for keeping the log still while you drill.

    Drilling holes in logs for candlesticks

    We picked up a 1-1/2-Inch Spade Drill Bit at the hardware store and drilled out the center, large enough to fit a standard tealight.

    Fitting tealight into log

    I wanted the tealight to sit flush or just slightly above the wood candle holders. However, you could adjust this depth by drilling deeper or not as deep depending on your preference.

    I wouldn't recommend setting the tealights too low or you may find that the wood will char or catch on fire. Also, definitely use a tealight in metal cups for protection.

    Wooden candle holders from logs down the center of a dining table.

    These rustic candle holders were then arranged down the center of our table on a simple burlap runner. A few sprigs of boxwood add a pop of greenery and completes the look.

    Don't these wooden log candle holders have a nice woodland feel? So warm and cozy. I love the way they turned out.

    Patti signature

    More Natural Centerpiece Ideas

    • Natural Fall Centerpiece
    • Forage Fall Centerpiece
    • Yule Log Centerpiece
    • Acorn and Flower Centerpiece

    Cut log on a runner in the center of a dining table with a tea light candle set in the center of the top.
    This tutorial for rustic log candlesticks costs virtually nothing to make and only takes about 1 hour for nine pretty candlesticks.
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    5 from 1 vote

    How To Make Rustic Candle Holders

     Create a pretty woodland theme for your Christmas decor by making candlesticks from logs. They can also be used in a winter, or rustic setting all year long. 
    Prep Time30 minutes mins
    Active Time30 minutes mins
    Total Time1 hour hr
    Course: DIY Projects
    Yield: 1 Candle
    Author: Patti Estep
    Cost: $3-$5

    Equipment

    • Vice
    • Saw
    • Drill Bit Spade
    • Drill

    Materials

    • Round Logs
    • Tea Lights

    Instructions

    • Gather thin round logs from your yard.
    • Cut the logs on one side to make them square.
    • Put each piece in a vice. 
    • Drill out the center with the spade, large enough to fit a standard tealight.
    « DIY Christmas Village Mantel
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    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ruth

      November 18, 2022 at 10:30 am

      We cut off a piece from the bottom of our Christmas tree each year. Then we use a wood burner and burn it with the year. It's fun to see the different sizes of trees we've had over the years. Sometimes we even put the names of family members on the bottom. Depends on the size of the tree stump!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        November 18, 2022 at 10:56 am

        Ruth, what a wonderful tradition. Thanks for sharing.

        Reply
    2. Keith

      August 07, 2017 at 5:48 pm

      Did you put any type of sealer on the wood to keep the sap from running out and preserve the bark?

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        August 08, 2017 at 6:51 am

        Hi Keith,

        I did not use a sealer. The logs I used were old fireplace logs that had long dried out, so sap was not an issue. You might want to search around to see what other people have done, since I'm not the first to have created this project. Perhaps they have used a sealer.

        Reply
    3. Melony

      November 16, 2016 at 7:49 pm

      This is so pretty, using what nature has provided. I love the holders on the burlap runner. It all just looks awesome!

      Reply
    4. debbie

      November 15, 2016 at 9:26 pm

      Well this may have been done before but I have never seen it. Simply gorgeous! Had to pin it and will be sharing. Thanks for joining our party~

      Reply
    5. Michelle

      November 03, 2016 at 11:06 am

      These are beautiful! Pinned and shared.

      Reply
    6. Evija at From Evija with Love

      November 02, 2016 at 12:54 pm

      Absolutely love your creativity and this project!! So happy you shared it with #OMHGWW, and glad to have you as my feature this week! http://fromevijawithlove.com/2016/11/02/nightmare-walls-wonderful-wednesday/

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        November 03, 2016 at 7:00 am

        Hi Evija,

        Thanks for the feature and I hope you have a great week!
        Patti

        Reply
    7. Nancy

      November 02, 2016 at 11:32 am

      You guys both did a great job on these! I love them and think they'd be great for Thanksgiving too...
      Wish I had branches....but the tree guy took them all away...and I guess I'm not so good with power tools....
      Nancy
      wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        November 03, 2016 at 7:08 am

        Hi Nancy,
        The log candlesticks were fun to make. I'm sure if you ask around someone would be able to hook you up with a few logs.
        Have a great week!
        Patti

        Reply
    8. The Happy Creations

      November 01, 2016 at 1:05 pm

      I love this, what a great tutorial too. I wish I had the tools to make this.
      Thanks so much for sharing this with Turn It Up Tuesday. It is featured as my favourite for this week's party.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        November 01, 2016 at 2:44 pm

        Thanks for the feature. I hope everyone enjoys them as much as we did.
        Patti

        Reply
    9. Jamie

      October 31, 2016 at 4:27 pm

      Those are beautiful!! Living in the mountains, they would be easy for me to make. 🙂

      Reply
    10. Mary Denman

      October 30, 2016 at 11:09 pm

      Oh wow, I think I could do that! And it would be free! Yay!

      Gorgeous! Dropping by from I Should Be Mopping!

      Reply
    11. Cristina at Ava's Alphabet

      October 28, 2016 at 10:43 pm

      I love this project and your gorgeous tablescape. Garden Matter is quickly becoming one of my favorite sites to visit! Pinned and sharing! Thanks for sharing on Family Joy Blog Link-Up Party this week. Hope you will join us again on Sunday at 12 EST.

      Reply
    12. Bibi

      October 27, 2016 at 11:10 pm

      Pinning this one! I'm all about natural rustic decorations. Thank you so much!
      Visiting from the Wednesday link-up.
      Best,
      Bibi

      https://simplesummit.blogspot.com/2016/10/little-house-in-pumpkin.html

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        October 28, 2016 at 8:18 am

        Hi Bibi,

        I'm so glad you liked it. I am a big fan of all things rustic and natural too.
        Have a great weekend and thanks for your kind comment (and the pin!)
        Patti

        Reply
    13. Jaclyn | One Thousand Oaks

      October 27, 2016 at 9:17 am

      These are so pretty! They would be great in birch too!! I will be on the lookout for some mini logs now!

      What did you use to make the photo collage of your last picture? I really like the lay out of it!

      Have a great day!

      -Jaclyn

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        October 28, 2016 at 8:14 am

        Hi Jaclyn,

        I'm so glad you like the log candlesticks. I agree that they would look great make out of birch too. I used picmonkey.com to make the collage. Thanks for stopping by,
        Patti

        Reply
    14. Christine

      October 25, 2016 at 8:20 am

      You did a great job you two! I just made mine a couple of weekends ago and just adore them. I can see them in so many vignettes!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        October 27, 2016 at 6:38 am

        Hi Christine,

        They were so easy to make and I think they would last all winter.
        Thanks for stopping by,
        Patti

        Reply
    15. creativejewishmom/sara

      October 25, 2016 at 7:52 am

      Gorgeous DIY! Love those red glass bowls that really add a special touch. thanks for sharing on craft schooling Sunday really enjoying your contributions which are unique and beautiful!

      Reply
    16. Vanessa

      October 23, 2016 at 9:59 pm

      Hi, Patti,
      What a lovely project. I love the rustic look on your dinning table. You can do so much with these log candlesticks. Great project and I would love it if you would share at a link party I am co-hosting. I hope to see you there. http://diy180site.blogspot.com/2016/10/dishing-it-and-digging-it-link-party-119.html

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        October 24, 2016 at 7:34 am

        Hi Vanessa,

        Thanks for your kind comment and for the invite to share on your linky.

        Have a great week!
        Patti

        Reply
    17. Denise Wright

      December 13, 2015 at 10:42 am

      I love these! I don't know if I could make them as nice as you did but I would love to do something like this next year. Pinned.

      Reply
      • Patti

        December 14, 2015 at 6:19 am

        Thanks. They really were not hard to make.

        Reply
    18. Lori G.

      December 08, 2015 at 9:43 pm

      Very nice, love the rustic look. I've often wondered how the hole for the tea light is made. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Patti

        December 09, 2015 at 6:18 am

        So glad you like them Lori!

        Reply
    19. Kim

      December 04, 2015 at 5:39 am

      What you did takes me back to my childhood , where I grew up and LOVE... This is perfect for gifts for my siblings . and my kids they all Love that Rustic look. So glad to find this MERRY CHRISTMAS

      Reply
      • Patti

        December 04, 2015 at 5:58 am

        Hi Kim,

        So glad you like it. Even though my husband helped with them, I really think I could have done this myself. The hardest part was finding the right size logs and enough that weren't rotted. I know your family is going to love them too. Merry Christmas!
        Patti

        Reply
    20. Marie H

      November 24, 2015 at 11:28 am

      Beautiful. Simple, elegant and rustic. All at the same time.

      Reply
      • Patti

        November 24, 2015 at 11:33 am

        Hi Marie,

        That is so sweet. Thank you!
        And thanks for stopping by,
        Patti

        Reply
    21. The Gifted Gabber

      November 24, 2015 at 9:38 am

      Wow...these are gorgeous!! What a cozy vibe for a holiday table! -- Amy @ http://thegiftedgabber.com/

      Reply
      • Patti

        November 24, 2015 at 11:35 am

        Thanks Amy! I have a pretty big family so we'll see who gets to sit at the "big" table.
        Have a great holiday!
        Patti

        Reply
    22. Carole West @ Garden Up Green

      November 24, 2015 at 7:28 am

      Love this.... Bringing nature indoors is the best. I'm bringing some of our farm indoors this year for the Christmas season. The simplicity of this is fantastic..

      Reply
      • Patti

        November 24, 2015 at 7:38 am

        Thanks Carole,

        I'm sure you will have some great features from the farm. Can't wait to see them!
        Patti

        Reply
    23. Kathy Gelbish

      November 24, 2015 at 7:20 am

      Now,I just need to convince Frank to help.
      So pretty...would be perfect at out Deep Creek log cabin.

      Reply
      • Patti

        November 24, 2015 at 7:37 am

        Thanks Kathy.
        It didn't take long and I'm sure you could convince Frank to help you out!
        Also, I agree it would look great at your cabin. Get out while the weather is still nice and gather your logs.
        Thanks for stopping by,
        Patti

        Reply

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