Gardenworld

Sitting out on a warm summer night in a garden lit by the stars and candlelight alone is a magical experience. The garden appears exotic as familiar garden features such as trees, patios and eating tables are transformed by the flickering light of the candles.

Hurricane Lights By using recycled glass jars and glass paints bought from art or craft shops, you can make your own candle-lit hurricane lights. These are so simple to make, even children can have a go, although they should always be properly supervised. If you're after a chic, classy look, keep your designs to just two or three colours, or you can make the lights bright and fun incorporating all the colours of the rainbow. And of course the lights look just as good on a window-sill to welcome visitors at any time of the year.

Scented citronella....
Candlelight isn't simply atmospheric: if scented citronella candles are burned, midges and mosquitoes can be kept at bay. Citronella is distilled from a South Asian variety of lemon-grass (Cymbopogon).

Finished Look....
Hang the jars against a sheltered wall for a striking effect and to create a brighter, useful light source.

Never leave burning candles unattended

You will need....

Glass jars

Copper wire,

Tea candles,

Artist's paint brush,

Transparent glass paint,

Tube of silver contour-lining paste,

Pliers

Instructions:

Hurricane Lights: Step one Hurricane Lights: Step two Hurricane Lights: Step three

Step one:
Paint the "leaded" lines of the design with the contour-lining paste. The lines will be straighter and less wobbly if you sit the jar on the table and spin it slowly round with the nozzle of the tube touching the jar and the paste squeezing through at an even rate. Step two:
Paint the squares with the coloured transparent glass paint. To get an even coat, load the brush and touch its tip on to the glass so the paint flows from it and spreads evenly across the square. Step three:
Cut a 30cm length og copper wire and twist a loop in it 10cm from one end. Then wrap the wire around the top of the jar, twisting the two ends until tight. Cut the short end off, bend the long piece over the top of the jar, and attach to the hook to make a handle.