How Do You Make Sea Glass Tea Light Holders?

Sea glass is formed when regular glass ends up in the ocean and is tossed around in the waves for years, becoming smooth and frosted. The ocean gives glass found on beaches an alluring, one-of-a-kind frosted look. Creating sea glass tea light holders allows you to repurpose beautiful found sea glass into a lovely decorative candle-holder that showcases each unique piece.

Making a sea glass tea light holder is a fun craft project that gives new life and purpose to pieces of sea glass collected from the beach. With a few simple materials like resin and a silicon mold, you can create a holder that looks professionally made. The end result is a gorgeous transparent coaster or candle holder that displays colorful smoothed sea glass.

This easy DIY project involves arranging your pieces of sea glass in a mold, filling any gaps, and pouring in clear resin to create a smooth finish. The sea glass will be encased in a clear, glossy resin that makes the colors pop. Read on for a step-by-step guide to making beautiful sea glass tea light holders to display in your home!

Gather Materials

To make sea glass tea light holders, you’ll need to gather some basic materials. The key ingredients are:

• Sea glass – Collect an assortment of sea glass pieces in different shapes, sizes, and colors. Look for glass that is frosted and smoothed by the ocean but still has interesting shapes and textures.
• Clear glass filler – Small pieces of clear glass can help fill any gaps between the sea glass pieces. Crushed clear glass vase filler or marbles work well.
• Tea lights – You’ll need standard size tea lights to put inside the finished holder.
• Silicon mold – Choose a mold that will create a holder in the shape and size you want. Round molds 3-4 inches wide work well.
• Resin – You’ll need a clear epoxy resin to pour over the sea glass in the mold.

In addition to these main ingredients, it can be helpful to have some basic jewelry making supplies on hand like tweezers, a glue gun, etc. Once you’ve gathered these materials, you’re ready to start crafting your unique sea glass holder!

Prepare the Sea Glass

Before you can begin assembling your sea glass tea light holder, you’ll need to properly prepare the sea glass pieces. Here are the key steps for getting your sea glass ready:

Clean – Make sure to wash each piece of sea glass thoroughly with soap and water. Use a soft brush or toothbrush to gently scrub away any sand, dirt or grime. You want the glass to be completely clean before using it in your project.

Sort by Color, Shape and Size – Once cleaned, sort your sea glass pieces by color, shape and size. Having some variety will create a more interesting finished product. You may want to separate the glass into different containers or piles based on color. Then within each color group, sort by shape (round, square, triangular etc.) and size. This will make it easier to choose the right mix of pieces when constructing your holder.

Make the Silicon Mold

To make the silicone mold, you’ll first need to choose the shape you want for your sea glass holder. Consider rounded shapes like circles or ovals, or geometric shapes like squares, rectangles or triangles. The shape you choose will determine the look of your final piece.

Make sure to clean the surface you’ll be pouring the silicone onto. You can use a baking sheet, plastic container lid or other smooth, non-porous surface. Be sure to wipe it down to remove any dust, oils or residue.

Next, prepare the silicone according to the packaging directions. You’ll typically need equal parts of the silicone base and catalyst. Stir them together thoroughly until well blended. Act quickly, as the silicone will start to cure in 5-10 minutes once mixed.

Slowly pour the silicone onto your prepared surface, using a spatula to spread it into an even layer about 1/4″ thick. Make sure to coat the entire area you want to use for your mold.

Allow the silicone to fully cure before handling, which usually takes 6-12 hours. The surface should be solid and no longer tacky when ready.

Arrange the Sea Glass

When arranging the sea glass in the mold, take time to thoughtfully layer the colors and place the various shapes in an aesthetically pleasing design. Planning the placement ahead of time will result in a more artistic final piece.

Aim for vivid color contrasts, flowing color gradients, or purposeful color blocking. Place round, square, triangular or unusually shaped pieces strategically to create visual interest. Layer the thicker chunks on the bottom and intersperse smaller shards throughout to allow the resin to fully permeate.

Don’t just randomly distribute the sea glass. Thoughtfully curate the arrangement like a mosaic, keeping balance and harmony in mind. Take a step back periodically to ensure the overall look is cohesive. Adjust and swap pieces as needed until fully satisfied with your one-of-a-kind creation before moving onto the next step.

Fill in Gaps

Once your pieces of sea glass are arranged how you want them in the silicone mold, you’ll likely notice some gaps between the pieces. These gaps need to be filled in so the resin does not leak out. Use clear glass filler pieces, beads, crystals, or sand to fill in gaps between the sea glass pieces. The filler pieces should be small enough to fit into any cracks.

When placing filler pieces, be strategic and creative with your choices. Consider alternating bead colors or using small pieces of sea glass to complement the main pieces. The filler serves both functional and decorative purposes. Take your time filling in gaps, ensuring resin will not leak through when poured in the next step.

Insert the Tea Light

Once your sea glass is arranged how you want it in the silicon mold, it’s time to add the tea light. The tea light is what will illuminate your sea glass holder, so it’s an essential component.

Be sure to use a new, unused tea light so it has maximum brightness. Place the tea light in the very center of the mold. You want it positioned so it will be in the middle of the finished sea glass holder.

Press down gently on the tea light to nestle it into the silicon mold. Make sure it is level and stable, not tilting to one side. You want the tea light to sit flat on the bottom of the molded holder.

Once positioned correctly in the center of the mold, your tea light is ready for the resin to be poured over it. The tea light should remain in place as you fill the mold with resin in the next step.

Pour Resin

After the sea glass is arranged how you want in the mold, it’s time to pour the resin. Make sure you follow the instructions on your resin product for proper mixing ratios. Typically two bottles of resin need to be combined together. Mix the resin thoroughly to activate it. Avoid creating bubbles while mixing. Once mixed, slowly pour the resin over the sea glass pieces until completely covered. Make sure to pour enough to fill in any gaps between the glass pieces.

After pouring, allow the resin to fully cure based on manufacturer guidelines. This usually takes 24-48 hours for most resins. As it cures, bubbles will rise to the surface. Use a lighter or small torch to pop any bubbles that remain once the resin has started to harden. When fully cured, the resin will be hardened and the sea glass will be securely encased.

Unmold the Sea Glass Holder

After waiting at least 24 hours for the resin to cure, you’re ready to unmold the sea glass holder from the silicon mold. This is a delicate process that requires patience and care. Work slowly and methodically.

Start by carefully peeling the edges of the mold away from the resin piece. Apply gentle pressure and wiggle the silicone to detach it bit by bit. Take your time and don’t rush this step. Ripping the mold off hastily could damage the resin.

Once you’ve detached the edges, slowly peel the rest of the mold off the resin. Continue working patiently, wiggling and easing the silicone off gradually. Pay special attention when unmolding over the sea glass pieces to avoid disrupting their placement.

Eventually, the finished resin piece will release completely from the mold. Now you can inspect your creation and polish or tweak it as needed. Display your sea glass holder proudly or gift it to a loved one.

Display Your Creation

Show off your sea glass holder with a tea light. Place it in the center of your dining room table for a beautiful centerpiece that casts a warm, ambient glow. Or, arrange several along a hallway or on outdoor steps to light up and welcome guests.

For maximum sparkle, try setting the holder on a mirror, silver tray, or other reflective surface. The light will dance off the sea glass, creating a stunning display. Experiment with different colored tea lights to create different moods.White tea lights provide a clean, crisp glow while red or orange lights are warmer and more romantic.

Your sea glass holder also makes a thoughtful handmade gift. Create one with sea glass in the recipient’s favorite colors or shades that remind you of them. Include a scented or novelty tea light for an extra special touch. Whatever you do, your creation is sure to delight and become a treasured keepsake.