Votive candle holder

Had an idea for a votive candle holder. The first photo is the prototype – made in poplar, as I wanted to try out the concept using inexpensive wood. The final project has two rings of candles – an outer of twelve, and an inner with five. Creating it on a slant, like stadium seating, makes the rear candles visible when viewed from the front.

Second photo – cutting the 4” thick walnut and cherry slab (laminated) on my circle jig.

Third photo – starting to drill the holes, with a 2” Forstner bit. There are index holes on the base of the slab to position it exactly beneath the bit.

Fourth photo is the slab just before glue-up. The top two layers are 1/4” book-matched walnut and beneath that a 3/16” cherry. I wanted to create an accent band of cherry parallel to the top.

Fifth photo is after all drilling is done – all 17 holes. Last photo shows a dozen of the 2” diameter votive holders in place. The whole thing is 11” across.

-- Tom Peterson, Omaha, NE