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Let's face it; Candlestick Bransle is just not the same
without candles. While battery operated candles are safe and look
decent enough, they can't compare to the romance of real candle
light. I've been dying to present a candle light
performance during a feast, but I'd need candle holders to keep hot wax off of people's hands. They'd have to look
good, but they should also have to be cheap, since a group of six couples, for
instance, would need at least six, and up to as many as twenty-four holders,
depending on how they've decided to present the dance. |
It was Tom the Drum Builder that told me about seeing plastic soda
bottles being used to make cheap candle holders for a ceremony. I
decided to improve upon the idea by going for a wrought iron look.
I achieved this by painting the holders with flat black acrylic and
using 16 oz Coke bottles, which have a more interesting design, and
cutting a simple design into them, based on examples of period candelabra.
Here's what you need for each holder:
* one 16oz plastic Coke
bottle with the cap
* flat black acrylic
spray paint
* a pea-sized piece of
modeling clay or similar material (keeps the candle from wobbling
around)
* a pattern for the design
(see below)
* a permanent marker
(Sharpies are good)
* a serrated knife or hacksaw
* sharp scissors
* a piece of tape
* newspapers, grocery bags or
plastic (use as a drop cloth when painting)
* a short taper candle (you
can cut a long taper in two)
The actual length of the pattern is 8 13/16".
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To make the holder:
1) Use the knife or hacksaw
to make a slash in the side of the bottle close to the base.
2) Tape the pattern around
the bottle and trace the design with the marker.
3) Remove the pattern and use
the scissors to cut the bottom off of the bottle, starting at the slash
you made.
4) Rinse and dry the inside
of bottle, and screw the cap on tight.
5) Cut out the pattern with
the scissors.
6) Lay out your drop cloth
material in a well ventilated area, preferably outdoors, and arrange
your holders on the drop cloth.
7) Following the directions
on the paint can, spray the holders with one light coat of paint and let
them dry for at least a half hour. Don't paint the inside.
When they're completely dry, give them another coat and let them dry.
8) Stick the piece of modeling clay
against the inside of the neck, and stick the candle inside. The
clay will keep the candle from wobbling around. That's it.
Using the Holders
Keep in mind that some sites don't allow open flames. In that case
you could opt for an outdoor performance after the feast. In any
case, you'll probably have to convince a nervous autocrat that you won't
be setting anyone or anything on fire. One way to do this would be
to present a small command performance with the candles for the autocrat
to see. Hopefully the sight will be so dazzling that they can't
refuse. It's a good idea to put a small amount of water inside
each holder to keep the dripping wax from getting too hot, and using
short candles instead of full sized tapers will greatly decrease the
likelihood of accidents.
Here are some dances that would probably work with candles. I've
only bothered to look up these few but more are out there to be
found. Most simple pavanes or almans would work as well.
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