DIY: Simple Ceramic Votive Holders

Photography by Justine Hand for Remodelista

One of the easier ceramic objects to fashion? A rustic votive holder for the holiday table. Thanks to air-dry clay, you don’t even need a pottery studio to make them yourself. Just grab a few household items and follow these steps.

Though potters use specially designed tools, you can make small votive holders with everyday household tools.

Lay out your canvas work surface. Using your wire, cut a wedge out of your clay. Wet your hands and work or squeeze the clay to soften it. Press the clay flat with your hands.

Place the clay between your guides and gently roll until your rolling pin hits your guides. This techniques ensures an even thickness of the clay.

Use your your circular guide to cut out circles from the clay.

Place plastic wrap over your mold. Lay the clay over the plastic. Use your thumbs to gently pull the clay down to cover the mold, then gently peel the clay off the mold.

Allow the clay to dry for a couple of hours, then wet your fingers and use them to smooth the edges.

If the clay dries too fast it may crack. To avoid this, place a bit of plastic loosely over the clay.