Beach tranquility brought home

My daughters love a day at the beach too. For them it's all about swimming (they're much more hardy than I am) and beach combing for treasures. We never fail to come home with an assortment of colourful rocks, pearly shells, bits of seaweed, and at least a pocketful of sand.

It was our growing collection of seaside treasures that inspired this craft - sand-covered candles displayed with seashells, beach rocks, sea glass and whatever else caught my daughters' eyes. These simple-to-make arrangements remind me of the tranquility that comes from a day by the sea.

This project takes mere minutes and can be done on the beach or at home. If you do craft by the sea, bring along all of the materials plus a garbage bag. Use the garbage bag as a work surface and later to clean up any mess you and others have made (you can do a beach clean-up mission).

These candles make simple, yet lovely centerpieces for a seaside wedding. Use them to dress up your table during a seafood feast, or, follow my lead, and set a few out on the porch, next to a comfy chair and a good novel.

What you need

Sand-covered candle centerpiece

Collecting your materials: Scoop a small amount of dry beach sand into a container. You don't need much for each candle. I recommend using white or beige candles. I've tried other colours and they just don't turn out as nice. You'll also need white glue (I used tacky glue) a paintbrush, a spoon and a second container to pour glue into. Protect your work surface with a plastic tablecloth or a garbage bag. For displaying, you'll want a shallow glass dish and plenty of beach treasures (be sure to take these items from beaches where this is allowed).

Step One: Cover your work surface with a plastic tablecloth. You don't want sand scratching up your table. Squeeze glue into a container. With tacky glue, add a couple of drop of water to make it easier to spread. Hold the candle in one hand, thumb on the bottom and middle finger on top. Brush glue over the sides. Note: if the glue beads, wipe it off. Wipe down the candle with rubbing alcohol (don't rinse) or scuff it gently with fine grit sandpaper and try again. I find beading less of a problem when I use tacky glue.

Step Two: Still holding the candle, position it over your container of dry sand. Use a spoon to pour sand over the glued areas. Set the candle onto the tablecloth. Brush glue onto the top if desired. Sprinkle sand over this area.

Step Three: Leave the candles where they are until the glue is dry.

Step Four: To display, pour a small amount of sand in the bottom of a glass dish. Set the candle(s) in and surround with beach rocks, shells, beach glass and other non-flammable treasures.

Step Five: Enjoy your candles and please remember to never leave burning candles unattended.

As a variation, try drawing pictures of seagulls, shells and more onto the candle with glue. Then cover these areas with sand. Very pretty!