25+ DIY Clay Tea Light Holder Ideas

Looking to add a touch of warmth and charm to your space? Look no further than these Clay Tea Light Holders made with air dry clay and polymer clay!

These versatile materials allow you to create stunning DIY candle holders that will illuminate your home with a cosy and inviting glow.

Whether you prefer the ease of air dry clay (no baking needed) or the vibrant colours and durability of polymer clay, both options offer endless possibilities for crafting your own unique candle holders.

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DIY Clay Candle Holders.

I'm a big fan of candles and candle holders. You'll find my own DIY clay tea light holder included below. Not only do they smell amazing but they're also a great way to make a room cosy and brighten up a dark corner on a gloomy day.

But candles aren't just for grey, gloomy days. A pretty tea light holder can help brighten up any day and turn a simple dinner into a special occasion.

If you're looking for inspiration in making your own candle holders I've got 25+ fantastic clay tea light holders that I think you're going to love.

These gorgeous tea light holders make beautiful home decor, a perfect gift and are so much fun to make.

DIY Tea Light Candle Holder.

Many of these cute candle holders can be totally customised. Change up the size or colour for a personalised housewarming gift or add a different stamped design or painted pattern.

You can make geometric-shaped tea light holders, nature-inspired candle holders using leaves and flowers to make imprints or colourful marbled ones by swirling together the clay. There are also a few tapered candle holders included that I think could be easily adapted to fit tea lights as well.

There are air dry clay and polymer clay projects here for both the total beginner and the seasoned crafter. If you've never made anything with air dry clay before, check out my post about tips and tricks you need when working with air dry clay.

No matter the candle we have a perfect holder for your space.

Handmade Candle Holders.

Let's talk about the two most popular types of clay for making a tealight holder: air dry clay and polymer clay.

Both types of clay are beginner-friendly, readily available in craft stores and require minimal equipment (a rolling pin, baking sheet, cookie cutter, sharp knife and a little water are all you'll need).

There are a couple of differences though. One needs to be baked in the oven to harden and the other needs only to be left out. Air dry clay typically comes in neutral or earthy tones. While polymer clay comes in a wide range of bright and vibrant colours.

Polymer Clay.

Polymer clay is a type of polymer polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that hardens when baked in an oven. It comes in a huge variety of colours and finishes and is durable and water-resistant when hard.

Polymer clay holds intricate details exceptionally well. You can create intricate textures, sculpted designs, or even incorporate small decorative elements like beads. It can be a little pricier than air dry clay as it comes in smaller packets.

Here are a few popular brands:

Fimo - comes in a wide range of colours and effects such as metallics, glitters, translucent and faux stone effects.
Sculpey - flexible and strong this is a great clay for mixing colours and making canes.
Kato - an artist’s quality clay it’s harder to condition than Sculpey but good for fine detail work and beads. It also needs to be baked at a higher temperature than other brands so this is something to take into consideration.

Air Dry Clay.

Air dry clay on the other hand is a mixture of paper fibres and glue. As the name suggests, air drying clay dries naturally when exposed to the air so there is no need for baking or firing.

It can take a couple of days to dry, although the thickness of the clay can affect the drying time (you can find more information on my How To Dry Air Dry Clay post.

It can be painted when dry but it’s not waterproof. Finished pieces can be painted using acrylic paint and sealed using an acrylic sealer (check out this post on how to glaze air dry clay) to create pieces that will last for a long time.

Das (the one I use) - comes in white, terracotta and a stone effect and dries to a lovely matte finish.
Crayola Air Dry Clay - dries whiter than Das clay. This one can be bought in a large tub so good if you want to make clay crafts in bulk.

Any leftover clay can be saved and used again. Read my How To Store Air Dry Clay post to see how.

50+ DIY Candle Holder Ideas.

These versatile and customisable creations are not only practical but also make for stunning home decor pieces.

Whether you prefer a modern, minimalist look or a rustic, nature-inspired vibe, I hope these projects will inspire you to create beautiful and unique tea light holders that will brighten up any space and add a touch of handmade magic to your decor.