Measures approx. 12" wide x 12" tall x
8.5" front to back (base approx. 6"x5.5").
Center hex post (wrapped
around
a 1.25" diameter wooden dowel section cut to size)
with four scroll
arms that extend sideways create
this spooky five candle candelabra. Contour base
with "knob",
octagon-based wax catcher "cups" and
pleated rosette
bases add elegance. Candle stub tubes include a top recess
that
is sized to hold standard tea lights.
Many features help to make this dimensional paper design
sturdy enough to store and reuse
for Halloween or
other decorating fun.
Use imagination to embellish and dress
this candelabra, including bead swags as shown,
jewels, web, and more.
Use imagination to embellish and dress
this candelabra, including bead swags as shown,
jewels, web, and more.
ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A post wrap B platform base
C platform D platform contour shapes (6)
E upper post collar (4) F lower post collar (4)
G scroll arm left (4) H scroll arm right (4)
I & J scroll arm accents left and right (4 each)
L arm platform supports left & right (8 each)
K candle cup pleated rosette base strips
and center cover circles (5 pairs)
M candle cups (5)
N candle stubs (5) O candle stub octagon covers
NOT SHOWN: candle stand reinforcements
(see step 28), optional post cap octagon (step 47)
A post wrap B platform base
C platform D platform contour shapes (6)
E upper post collar (4) F lower post collar (4)
G scroll arm left (4) H scroll arm right (4)
I & J scroll arm accents left and right (4 each)
L arm platform supports left & right (8 each)
K candle cup pleated rosette base strips
and center cover circles (5 pairs)
M candle cups (5)
N candle stubs (5) O candle stub octagon covers
NOT SHOWN: candle stand reinforcements
(see step 28), optional post cap octagon (step 47)
shape can be cut. For sturdiness, cut,
layer and join 2-3 shapes for each base -
20 or 30 total.
2. Prepare the base shape by bending back
on all side edge perforations, wedge tabs
and rim flanges,
also center hex opening triangle tabs.
to overlap adjacent wedge tab, and glue seam.
Repeat for all 6 seams.
4. Bend bottom rim flanges inward and glue in place.
5. Prepare the 6 contour shapes by bending
side tabs back, bottom short wall back,
remaining perf lines forward.
by overlapping straight side edge of one to
the side tabs of the second shape to
perforation line.
It may be helpful to line up and join the middle
segment first, then working downward to complete
lower two segments . . .
. . . then top segment.
Complete seams to join all 6 shapes.
a ring to bring the final edges together,
and align and join in the same fashion.
8. Insert the contour bottom tabs into
corresponding slots on top surface of platform . . .
and glue in place, applying finger pressure on
tab side and front of platform.
9. Prepare the scroll arms left & right by
bending the candle platform octagon segments
forward. NOTE that the platform on the right arm
includes two extensions that will help join
the segments later in the assembly.
DO NOT bend the extensions.
Also bend the 3 attachment tabs at inward edges
of each arm forward.
10. To help strengthen the scroll arms,
offset accent shapes are positioned and
glued in place.
Position with even offset edges all around
accent, except at edges next to attachment
tabs, where edges will almost extend to bend
of perforation, leaving tiny margin to allow for
thickness of post wall where arms are
slotted and attached, and glue in place.
NOTE: To avoid warping and curling when
gluing layers together with liquid adhesive,
flatten glued-up shapes under flat weights
(or equivalents such as books, fabric covered
free weights, smooth-surface boxes, etc.,)
while glue dries thoroughly.
into one unit by applying adhesive to backside
of one arm except not to the platform segments
OR to the attachment tabs.
taking care to align all cut edges . . .
. . . taking care to keep attachment tabs unattached
so they can be bent back independently as shown.
Flatten with weights while glue dries.
12. Prepare post shape by carefully bending back
on all vertical and edge flange perforation lines.
Locate the tiny 'T' symbol in the side flange
that indicates which end is 'top'.
Position and insert connector tabs of scroll
arm assembly through corresponding slots.
one in each direction. Glue tabs to post backside
and apply pressure until securely in place.
15. Continue to insert each of the remaining
three scroll arm tabs in similar manner, bending
and gluing tabs in place.
To help this process, place post backside on flat
surface then reach fingers between arms
to apply pressure.
to match exactly the post shape, mark, and cut
to size exactly perpendicular.
17. Position dowel inside tube to provide
a "press-against" surface . . .
side edge over side flange opposite, to perf line,
and glue in place.
NOTE: since this is an awkward operation,
continue to run fingers up and down the seam . . .
. . . to continue to close the post seam edge
completely and evenly, until it is secure.
18. Prepare upper collar . . .
. . . and lower collar by layering the 4 shapes
with ALL edges exactly aligned and glue
together. Press with a weight while glue dries.
19. Slide the upper collar over the top of post
and work down (tight fit) and adjust tops of
arms so that they slot into the radiating slots.
This will hold arms in place. Discretely apply
dabs of glue to secure collar, if deemed necessary.
bottom post end, and work up . . .
. . . to work upward to allow scroll arms to
fit snugly into slots.
21. Prepare the bulb shape by bending top and
bottom pointed tabs forward, back on all other
perf lines for walls and tabs.
22. Form the bulb by bending at upper and lower
short seams to overlap the straight side edge
over the adjacent tab, and glue in place.
Complete all short seams along upper and
lower edges.
23. Form the bulb into a ring to bring the straight
side edges over corresponding tabs, and glue
in place.
and slide up toward lower collar, then leave it
without gluing until later in the assembly.
25. Insert the post bottom end through the contour
and base openings until . . .
rim edge. Glue the wedge tabs of the hexagon
opening to the post to secure it at bottom.
26. To secure post at top, slide the bulb down
as far as it will go so that the bottom pointed tabs
overlap the top of contour edges, and glue tabs
in place.
Also glue the top pointed tabs in place
to the panels of the post.
27. Bend the halves of the candle platform
to perpendicular position with the extension tabs
under the opposite half, and glue tabs in place.
platform reinforcement shapes into place
under platforms by sliding slot around scroll arm
as shown. Apply pressure to secure.
29. Prepare the candle platform support shapes
by bending forward the back edge tabs as shown.
Each support consists of left and right pair.
30. Apply glue to backside of shaped support
body, then attach the left/right pair (tabs remain
unattached. Each platform will need two supports.
31. Position the support under the candle platform
(center perf guide line shows position) with
tabs toward scroll arm surface and top straight edge
up under platform (apply bead of glue to straight
edge to help it attach under platform).
32. Prepare candle cup shape by bending
"petal" extensions and wedge tabs back,
pointed tips forward as shown.
to overlap straight seam edge over adjacent
tab, and gluing in place.
Complete all 8 seams.
34. To create the "optional" pleated rosette medallion
base for candle cup, prepare the two strips for
rosette by first bending the right end tab upward
(face to face), then . . .
. . . continue folding at perforations in alternating
up/down direction to create accordion pleats
all across the strip. Complete folding of strip pair.
the left end of the (right) strip over the tab end
of the other (left) strip, lining up bottom straight edges,
and gluing in place.
36. Form the strip into a ring to complete the second
joining seam in similar manner.
Complete 5 pleated rings.
37. Heat up hot glue gun (or prepare equivalent
quick-grab adhesive).
Form the pleated ring into medallion circle by
placing ring curved edges down, then gathering
top edges between fingers of both hands . . .
downward . . .
. . . until flattened to form the rosette circle.
Apply finger pressure inward to close the center
circle to the smallest opening possible.
Adjust hands holding pleats flat (or get someone
to help apply hot glue while still holding with
2 hands) to allow application of hot glue bead
around middle opening edges, then quickly . . .
. . . position and secure the cover circle.
Continue to press inward all round pleating
to help pleats adjust evening while maintaining
an even consistent circle.
Turn the circle over and apply glue to attach
the "backside" cover circle.
NOTE: this image shows the FRONT of
medallion with the outer edge scallops having
rounded edge upward - that is, center perf
of pleating at scallop curved edge is high,
perf edge between scallops is down.
38. Center candle cup over medallion and glue
base in place. Complete 5 cut-to-medallion units.
39. Prepare candle stub shape by bending
center walls back, bottom tabs back, top first
inner flange segments back, and outer tabs
with octagon inner platform forward.
then apply glue under the inner flange wall segments
and glue in place, leaving the end wall and
octagon platform unglued at this point.
41. Form the shape into a tube to bring straight
side edge to overlap opposite flange tab, align
tab perforations at top and bottom, and complete
seam. NOTE: the symmetrical nature of this shape
will allow it to be pressed flat at this stage so that
finger tip pressure can be applied all along the seam.
42. Bend the remaining inner wall flange into
position and glue in place, then . . .
. . . apply glue to the inner wall portion of
the octagon platform and along the top surfaces
of the bent-inward tabs (which create a ledge),
then bend the platform at rim edge to glue
inner wall in place, as well as positioning
and attaching platform edges to ledge tabs.
NOTE: access the surfaces being glued together
through the octagon's finger hole, as well as
from the tube's opposite end.
43. Bend the bottom tabs inward . . .
place, adjust for edge-to-tab alignment,
and apply pressure to attach.
NOTE: to assist with attachment, invert the stub
bottom-down on work surface and insert a new
pencil eraser or other equivalent tool through
opening to press tabs in place.
44. Position the top cover octagon into the top
opening and glue edges in place to platform
underneath.
Preview the completed candle stub by
inserting the tea light battery candles onto
the recessed platform.
(Complete 5 candle stub units.)
Here is the completed stub for this project.
45. (Remove tea light.) Position and attach
stub in candle cup, rotating to align stub angles
and walls to match those of cup interior.
46. Position and attach one candle cup/stub unit
onto scroll arms as well as onto top of post,
centering each as it is attached.
Consider using quick grab glue in this operation.
47. If desired, you can glue the octagon post cap
shape onto the top of the post (or the bottom)
to hide the dowel post end[s]).
Here is the completed candelabra
with tea lights in place.
