If you aren’t familiar with this candle display above, it is a Kwanzaa Kinara. Yes, today is the first day of Kwanzaa, a weeklong celebration honoring universal African-American heritage and culture. It’s an interesting tradition and, like all holiday traditions, I encourage you to learn more about it. If you want to make your own kinara, here’s how.
Gather These Supplies
- FolkArt Acrylic Paint – Burnt Umber, Engine Red, Fresh Foliage, Pure Black, Teddy Bear Brown
- 6-7/8” x 1 ¾” wood candlesticks
- 6-Colonial style wood napkin rings
- Decorative wood candleholder
- 15” piece of old wood
- 16” piece of old wood
- Wood glue
- Piece of wax or white candle
- Sandpaper
- Gloss spray sealer
- Old t-shirt
1. Basecoat the small candlesticks and napkin rings with Burnt Umber. Basecoat the large candleholder with Teddy Bear Brown.
2. Using the candle rub the wax on the candleholders and napkin rings on the edges where paint would naturally rub off.
3. Paint the large candleholder Pure Black. Sand to show the basecoat coat color where the wax was applied.
4. Paint three napkin rings and three small candleholders with Engine Red. When completely covered and dry lightly sand the edges where the wax was applied to show the basecoat color. Repeat the steps with the remaining candleholders and napkin rings using Fresh Foliage.
5. Glue the small candleholders to the napkin rings as shown.
6. Add some water to Burnt Umber and with the t-shirt antique the two pieces of old wood and the small candleholders.
7. Glue the two pieces of wood together. Glue the candleholders to the top piece of wood as shown.
