As things would have it, I got a call from Dad one day who said that he had too many 3/4" x 1/2" copper reducer couplings. What do you do with too many copper reducer couplings? My solution was to create centerpieces. This took place last year. As I still have the directions and the pictures, I thought it would be a perfect fit under my "oddities" section. Not being content with one such creation, using the same pieces, I developed one that was for a single candle and one that would work as a wall sconce. Pictures follow and then directions.

Figure 1: Candle holder capable of holding 4 candles


Figure 2: This is the same design as the one above except that I made the lengths of copper between the copper tees and the adapters different heights so I could get a staggered effect. The tallest one would be in the back at the 12 o'clock position. The next two tallest would be at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock respectively, while the shortest one would be at 6 o'clock.


Figure 3: Here's the same thing except that I removed the other copper tees from the sides and made the lengths of copper between the 90 degree elbows at each corner shorter. It's designed to hold a small bowl of greenery or a few flowers in the center.



Figure 4: Once you get started, it's hard to stop. Here's the same idea turned into a wall sconce.

Directions Copper Candle Holder Holding 4 Candles 4 - 3/4” x ½ “ copper reducers     4 - 1/2” copper elbows 4 - 1/2” copper tees                   Short pieces of ½ copper pipe Glue or solder                           4 pennies (optional) Steel wool - very fine Time to complete: About 30 minutes Decide first on the dimensions of the centerpiece. Polish up your copper pieces with the steel wool. Place an elbow in each corner and add to that a short piece of pipe which goes into the tee in the middle of each side. Depending on the heights of the candle holders, cut short pieces of pipe to place on top of the tees and put the 3/4” reducers on those (Figure 5). In the second picture (Figure 6), you can see the copper pieces are different lengths. Do that if you want your candles at different heights. 3/4” reducers are perfect for most candles. Glue or solder together your masterpiece and decorate. Put a penny in the bottom of the 3/4” reducer if you want to place a drop of wax in the bottom to anchor the candle. Figure 5: Copper pieces joined in place (not soldered or glued yet) for the candle holder with 4 candles, all of equal heights. Figure 6: Pieces set out (not soldered or glued) for the candle holder with 4 candles all at staggered heights. More Copper Creations Variation on candle holder - instead of 4 candles, make it to hold only 1. See Figure 3. Use 4 - 1/2” elbows 1 - 1/2” tee 1 - 3/4”x1/2” reducing coupler 2-short pieces of copper pipe (about 1 1/4” each) 3-longer pieces of copper pipe for sides See layout in Figure 7. Figure 7: The single candle holder pieces Wall Sconce: See Figure 4. Same construction as before - glue or solder pieces. Use: 6 - 1/2” elbows 2 - 3/4”x1/2” reducing couplers 2 - 1/2” tees 2 - 1 1/4” pieces of 1/2” copper pipe to join couplers that hold the candles to the 1/2” elbows 2 - pieces of copper pipe about 3” to join the elbows at the top and bottom 2 - much longer pieces of copper pipe to go down each side. The length depends on how big your wall sconce will be. Play with the measurements by sketching it out on a piece of paper first and laying your candles on that. See Figure 8 for layout. Figure 8: Pieces layed out flat for the wall sconce - not soldered or glued yet.