DIY wood candle holders

My wife and I made each other's birthday gifts this year.  I decided to make candle holders out of logs.  It took a little time but the end result was impresive if I do say so myself. :)

1.  Choose your wood. I used Black Walnut because it's a beautiful design and color once you get the bark off.  Most people use birch because you can keep the bark on, and it always looks good on a table or cabinet.  Even if you don't have the right trees in your backyard, you can find someone who does and wants to get rid of scraps, or is willing to cut off some thicker branches. (I found a guy on craigslist who cut down a Black Walnut tree in his yard because part had rotted out, but a majority was still good.) 

2.  Cut. Use a chainsaw to cut different sizes/lengths based on what you want and where you envision your candles.  It doesn't take a whole lot of wood to get what you want.....  One or two pieces depending on the size of the scraps. 

3. Remove the bark. (*this step is optional, depending on the type of wood you have, and what shape the bark is in.) This was the most time consuming step, mainly because I didn't have the right tools.  I used a sharp knife and just trimmed it off.  If you had access to a lathe, I think it would make the process way easier.  However, it's fun to have all the knots and different indendations in the wood, which would not be possible with a lathe.

4.  Sand and smooth edges and ends.  Use a miter saw to cut the ends a little bit to make sure they are flat and straight.  This brings out the full color and design of the wood.  Use a belt sander to sand off all the remaining peices of "under bark" if necissary.  Then use some fine sand paper and give your candles a quick rub down to make sure they are smooth.  Let them sit outside and dry up for a couple weeks if possible.  Wood tends to shrink after it gets cut down and the bark removed, because the bark keeps the moisture in. 

5.  Drill hole for candle.  Tea lights are probably the most common use for this type of project, and they are exactly 1 1/2 inches.  Use a 1 1/2 inch drill bit to cut your hole on the top of the wood.  Go deep enough, but not too deep to where the tea light would get stuck.  Then you can varnish, stain, or just leave them natural.

Enjoy surprising your loved one with these handmade gifts.