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How To
Create "The Mood" Inexpensively And Easily
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By Frosty
- 01-08-05
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Candles
are a good thing for creating "the mood", as long as you
are careful. I won't rant on fire safety, but fire is dangerous if
you aren't cautious.
So
please be careful whatever you do! Plus if you are careful, you
won't have to figure out what to do about that huge burn mark on the
wall and the bill to the fire department when the 'rents get back
(If you live with them).
You
can get candles that appeal to you. If you're too cool to have the usual
candle holders, you can get the skulls,
gargoyles, dragons and so forth.

\m/ \m/ - Editor
There
are many types of candles. They have floating
candles, glow
candles, tea
lites, pillars, tapers, gel candles, soy candles, and many more.
If
you have some odd glasses at your place, that you don't use much,
here is a way that you can get some use out of them.
I
say glasses as plastic would be a dangerous choice, and plastic just
wouldn't give the same effect.
You
can go to the dollar store, or the local arts and crafts store and
pick up some decorative glass
"stones", or you can even use real stones, marbles,
whatever suits your fancy.
They
even have clear, colored, stained, and different shapes and sizes to
choose from so you can personalize it.
I
happen to have the glass "stones", so I will be using
them. If you happened to go to the dollar store, or the craft store,
while you are there, pick up some floating candles.
While
I was looking in my cabinets I happened upon these really odd
shaped glasses. They will work perfectly.
Be
sure to grab a box of matches, or dig out that dusty Zippo you have
from a few years ago, to light the candles with.
Next you can swing by the nearest grocery store and pick up some 'distilled'
water. I have found through my own personal trials and errors,
'distilled' water has big benefits.
You
don't get those unsightly rings when the water evaporates, and it is
easier to maintain the items you are using the water in.
Once
you have the water, Shoosh! Off to the pad. When you get there clean
the glasses you are using. Your guests will find that floating gunk
in the glasses to be unsightly.
Open
up the sack of "stones" that you bought, *gently* ( I will
stress this especially if you bought the glass stones) put them into
the glasses by tilting the glass at an angle to keep the stones from
crashing to the bottom of the glass.
You
don't have to fill the glass really full of the stones, you can put
in enough to cover the bottom if you like, or you can fill it up
more, but I would recommend only filling about half way or less.
This
will ensure the floating candles have water beneath them and you get
the effect you are working for.
Find
the places that the candles will be visible and not in an area that
could be hazardous, and set the glasses out. Think about the mood
you want to create while doing this, it will keep you objective and
focused.
Get
the 'distilled' water and fill the glasses, but not completely full
of water. Leave some extra room in the glass as the candle will
increase the water level and you want the water level with the
candle in the glass to be under the lip of the glass.
Then,
crack open those candles you bought. Pull the wicks up into a
standing position to enable you to light them with ease. Then place
one in each glass.
Finally
right before your guests show, whip out the Zippo or the matches and
light the floating candles, turn off the lights, and voila!! La
mood!
If
you have a lot of glasses with floating candles, it can be quite
amazing how the ambience of the room can be changed with them.
Candles
can be used to add decorative flair to your lair as well. I have
some square plates
I picked up at Target for about $7.00 each. I bought 3, then went to
my local arts and crafts store and got some sand,
stones, and Chinese coins.
I
picked out some candles I had in my arsenal that would suit my
taste. I also scrounged up some sea shells I had collected over the
years.

Coins and Shells.
If
you don't have shells, sand, stones or the other items, you can find
these items in your arts and crafts stores, and places that
specialize in home decor like Pier 1 (Although Pier 1 has some
higher prices than you might want to pay).
Set
the candles you
like into the plates, and pour
the sand around the candles. Then place the rocks, shells, and
coins around the candles however you like.
Then
set the candle
plates where you want to display them. Of course, these ones
will just be for decoration and not burning.
Finally,
candle holders, such as candelabras,
or sconces can
be a nice touch as well.
Some
of the floor standing wrought iron candle holders are nice too. They
can add an artistic touch, as well as aiding the creation of the
mood.
From
time to time you can find good candle holders
on sale at various places. I found some of my best candle stands at Kirkland's,
I got a great deal on them too.

Candle Holders.
Not
everyone enjoys candles, or romance, but I have found that candles
can be a nice player in an intimate evening with your significant
other. Gently glowing candles, soft music in the background, and so
on.....
One
final time I will stress the importance of being careful with
candles. In closing I say go out there, have a good time decorating,
and create your moods.
Happy
glowing radiance!!!
-Frosty
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