Shimmering silver

Southern Living, Dec 2000

Not all that glitters is gold. It may be silver-or in this case, silver leaf. That's what we used to transform ordinary glass votives and candlesticks into something extraordinary.

In less time than it takes to polish your sterling, you can have the brightest accessory ready for any occasion. The candleholders you use for your annual Christmas buffet will also light up the night a week later when the clock strikes 12. Imagine them on a romantic table set for two on Valentine's Day. Even for the Fourth of July, these candleholders would look wonderful against a palette of red, white, and blue.

If you use tea lights (small candles set in individual aluminum containers) for the votives, it's a breeze to replace used candles from the previous event. Standard, allwax votive candles may be used, but cleaning the votive once the candle has been burned is not as easy. One trick is to let hot water run over the bottom of the votive to loosen the wax. It will, however, make the silver-leaf surface gooey.

Step 1: Holding a glass candleholder over work area, apply spray adhesive to glass surface.

Step 2: Wearing plastic gloves, apply silver leaf, one sheet at a time. Round votives may be rolled onto leaf. Note: Leaf sheets are very thin and lightweight, so they tear easily.

Step 3: With a gloved hand, gently brush off excess silver leaf so surface is smooth and some of the glass is visible. The candlelight has a more glistening effect if the glass is not covered completely.