November 22, 2011

DIY Cathrineholm candleholders

You're probably familiar with Cathrineholm enamelware, a line of iconic kitchen products made by a Norwegian factory that closed in 1970. Vintage Cathrineholm pieces now cost an arm and a leg. But paper is cheap! Perhaps some DIY votive holders will suffice until we win the lottery?

First I wrapped a glass candleholder with a piece of tracing paper and secured it with tape. Anything white and translucent will do the job; try parchment paper, tissue paper, or vellum if you've got some.

Then I made a template, printed it onto colored computer paper, and cut out the designs with an X-acto knife. My votive holders are 2.5" tall and came in a box from Target several years ago. If you have holders of a similar size, feel free to download the PDF.

Or, if you have a Silhouette machine, you can download the .studio file and scale as needed. Warning: I haven't tested it! If you try to cut with it, let me know how it goes.

Or, if you hate computers, just sketch out the design by hand and wing it. It'll be super.

Layer the cut paper over the white paper and secure with more tape. Done.

52 comments:

  1. christina@pmvNovember 22, 2011 at 4:48 PM

    Love these! Such a great idea :-)

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  2. PoppyprintNovember 22, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    suweet! Great idea.

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  3. AnonymousNovember 22, 2011 at 5:20 PM

    Super cute, and I love your color choices!

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  4. UnknownNovember 22, 2011 at 5:30 PM

    SO EXCITED for the free Silhouette pattern! I get a ton of pdfs online but my studio doesn't open them. :(

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  5. Jessica JonesNovember 22, 2011 at 5:33 PM

    Well, cross your fingers. I traced the .png that I made from the .pdf, so we'll see how it cuts!

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  6. LoulouNovember 22, 2011 at 5:36 PM

    Those are beautiful! Such nice colours.

    Loulou @ Loulou Downtown

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  7. j. wilsonNovember 22, 2011 at 5:38 PM

    oh! this one is briliant! i adore all your projects. thank you for sharing!

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  8. Amy FriendNovember 22, 2011 at 6:08 PM

    Great idea! I love it!

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  9. Grandma GNovember 22, 2011 at 7:19 PM

    So very pretty!

    Mum

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  10. able mabelNovember 22, 2011 at 7:26 PM

    simple, easy and oh so cool!

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  11. kateNovember 22, 2011 at 11:19 PM

    amazing! i'm obsessed with catherineholm. thanks so much for this tutorial that uses items i have in my art room/home office!

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  12. tinajoNovember 23, 2011 at 12:48 AM

    Very pretty - love the colors! :-)

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  13. Ved leilighetNovember 23, 2011 at 6:31 AM

    Excellent! I have made some and will post on my blog. With credit and link to you, of course! Thank you for your many ideas and inspiration. Greetings from Oslo.

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  14. Jessica JonesNovember 23, 2011 at 9:57 AM

    I lit these up last night and they look great at night. I'm pleased. :)

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  15. pakNovember 23, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    Just goes to show you how a simple idea can be beautiful. Love them! Also anxious to try out the Silhouette file..I am getting my Silhouette this week. I haven't waited this anxiously for a gift in a LONG time!

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  16. Scissors and SpiceNovember 23, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    AGGG! You're awesomeness is baffling! Love it. Thanks for the PDF! :)

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  17. Carien(Holland)November 23, 2011 at 12:15 PM

    Very nice!Thank you very much! :)

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  18. RachelNovember 23, 2011 at 1:49 PM

    Very pretty! Love the retro look and great colors!

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  19. LainieNovember 23, 2011 at 8:22 PM

    I would love to use etching cream on the glass with this pattern!

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  20. LilyNovember 23, 2011 at 8:54 PM

    I absolutely love this! I'm going to give it a try! Such a good idea!
    Thank you!

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  21. creativejewishmom/saraNovember 24, 2011 at 12:39 AM

    great idea to satisfy that desire for Catherine Holm! Plus your project looks great next to my orange rhinestone bracelet on Craft Gawker! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  22. AnonymousNovember 24, 2011 at 2:11 AM

    Thank.You.So.Much!!!!!!

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  23. BrinjaNovember 24, 2011 at 2:30 AM

    I LOVE that retro-look! What a great DIY.
    Have a great day :)
    -b

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  24. ZimaNovember 24, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    Supercute!!! And a great idea!

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  25. WoW AdminNovember 25, 2011 at 7:36 AM

    Tried it out myself. My window sill looks so much better now. Especially against the drab, grey background outside ;)

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  26. NaomiNovember 25, 2011 at 1:10 PM

    So cute and pretty!

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  27. Lisa BrownNovember 26, 2011 at 7:22 PM

    Super cute! Will definitely try it!

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  28. Home ImprovementNovember 27, 2011 at 2:26 AM

    wow its really beautiful, art is not just skills its is pure talent ,thanks for the inspiration I think I should add a little life to y dull house.

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  29. fleet gpsNovember 29, 2011 at 12:50 AM

    Thanks for sharing the idea there would be some apprehensions from segment but i am up for it.

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  30. AlexisNovember 30, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    These are so simple and adorable!

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  31. proxeroninaDecember 3, 2011 at 10:10 PM

    Well carried out! I would really be happier individual if everyone wrote also as you do. Thanks once more

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  32. Åpent^husDecember 5, 2011 at 4:16 PM

    love it
    such a simple and great idea
    I hope it is ok that I share it with my readers
    will link to you of course

    Best wishes
    Open^house blog, Norway

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  33. Jessica JonesDecember 5, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    Feel free. Thanks!

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  34. carrieDecember 8, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    Brilliant! You have awesome ideas!

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  35. carrieDecember 8, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    Brilliant! You have awesome ideas!

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  36. ElsDecember 12, 2011 at 6:01 PM

    As a woman who bought all the Catherine Holm (and Krenit, Arabica, etc.) she could get her hands on back in the 70s, this tut simply ROCKS my world! My collection of 70s enamelware would make you weep with envy...it kinda does that to ME. :-)

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  37. KarinDecember 13, 2011 at 7:22 AM

    Lovely! My daughter and I made something simular. Have a look at ours if you have the time: http://pysselbolaget.se/2011/11/22/burk-adventsljusstake/

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  38. AnonymousDecember 13, 2011 at 9:29 PM

    Love love love!

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  39. AnonymousDecember 15, 2011 at 6:23 AM

    Love this so much it inspired me to make something similar, but with a christmassy design! Thanks for being so clever and inspiring the rest of us! :)

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  40. AnonymousDecember 17, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    I just wanted to let you know that I featured it yesterday on "You Sew Rock Me Fridays" at my blog Sew Rockin'. Here's the link: http://www.sewrockin.com/2011/12/16/you-sew-rock-me-fridays-9.

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  41. Yasser El-SherifDecember 18, 2011 at 8:54 AM

    Great looking and yet simple to do

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  42. DianthusaJanuary 11, 2012 at 10:10 AM

    I love them!!! I love nordic design! I was living for one year in Sweden and I loved it

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  43. Jamie WallsJanuary 13, 2012 at 8:23 PM

    Love the idea! Really cute and endless possibilities.

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  44. H is for Home (Adelle)January 24, 2012 at 4:38 AM

    Am going to try this one - thanks for sharing! x

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  45. nostalgic fongJanuary 28, 2012 at 10:28 PM

    love it

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  46. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2012 at 4:36 PM

    perfect!

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  47. AnonymousSeptember 8, 2012 at 5:07 PM

    so cute. i plan to do this in reverse... i'll use the paper as a template and spray paint with an etching type paint, then remove the paper. it will have a different effect than the original, but i think it'll be cute!

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  48. hobbyvimsaNovember 16, 2012 at 3:25 AM

    Love these:)

    Linda:)

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  49. Siljes kreative romNovember 16, 2012 at 3:34 AM

    Great idea:) They are fantastic!!

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  50. DoreenJune 23, 2013 at 11:37 AM

    These candleholders are beautiful. Love the colors and design.

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  51. DearhandmadelifeAugust 5, 2013 at 10:37 AM

    Totally freaking out st how adorable + simple these are!!! Thanks :)

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  52. UnknownJune 4, 2014 at 1:58 PM

    I love these, I love the colors the most! I think these would be so cute for a summer barbeque to have outside on the tables. I'm definitely going to make them.

    http://www.acdtreasures.com/default.asp?dept_id=45010

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