The easiest Do-It-Yourself (DIY) chalices are found around the house: some candle holders will fit the bill; fruit bowls and cake stands often work; planters and other objects. Roam around your home and look at what you have with a new eye – you may be surprised to find chalices all around you! For information about this symbol of our faith, visit our Chalice page.

Terracotta pot chalice

These classic chalices may be made in whatever size you wish, with a terracotta plant pot and saucer. Ideally, choose a saucer that is one size larger than what would normally go under the pot.

Paint or decorate both elements as you wish and let them dry. Turn the pot upside down to create a large “stem”, then place the plate right side up, on top.

This version used epoxy to attach the saucer to the base; acrylic paints; and a high-gloss spray sealer. None of these are necessary but are optional if you’d like.

Alice the Chalice paper roll chalice

Alice the Chalice is a project by the Rev. Amy Freedman and Peter Bowden. Find instructions for their Alice the Chalice cardboard tube (toilet paper roll) craft project, here.

There is a printable version that is coloured in already. This version allows you to be the artist. The paper flame is unattached so can “light” the chalice by placing the flame inside the TP roll.

Model Magic chalice

Crayola brand “Model Magic” is a soft, lightweight, material that dries overnight. It’s easy to work with and doesn’t make a mess; it remains light and somewhat soft when dry. Mold the material into whatever chalice shape you like, as long as the bowl will hold an electric tea light (do not use a real flame with this chalice).

Dishes chalice

Look around your home, or shop at thrift or dollar stores for cups, plates, or bowls that go together. Invert a cup or bowl for the base, and place a plate or bowl right-side up on top of it. They could simply balance like that, but using E6000 glue will make a sturdy one-piece chalice. The photo at the top of this page is another example of various dishes and planters put together to create a chalice.

Wooden chalice

This larger chalice is similar to the dish chalice in that it is made from two wooden bowls or baskets; one turned upside down for the base, with other upright on top. Paint or stain the wood, or leave it natural.

LEGO chalice

This page from Rev. Mr. Barb Greve provides many variations on chalices made of LEGO. So bring out your bricks, and make one or more of these. Or create your own!

Play dough or clay chalice

Most chalices have a stem, a bowl, and a flame. But sometimes a more simple design is called for.

Make some play dough or purchase clay. Mold into a ball and flatten enough to make a more of a disk shape, then press a tea light into the clay to create a holding area.

Polymer Chalice

Fimo brand or other polymer clay takes some time to soften and warm up as you begin working with it. When the finished product is baked it creates a fairly light but hard and durable chalice. These clays come in many different colours and can be combined in multiple ways to create different effects.

Here are the instructions that the maker of this chalice, Catherine Farmer Loya, provided.

Filled-base chalice

Rather than inverting the base, as many of our other chalices have done, this one remains upright. The base is a clear votive candle holder or glass filled with seasonal elements (in this cse it holds imitation snow).

Other ideas include sand and shells, beads, a small toy, marbles, crystals – anything that you enjoy or feels special to you.

Top the base with a shallow, clear bowl and use glass epoxy to seal them.

Easter egg chalice

Do you have plastic Easter eggs in the house? Use one side, inverted, as the base, glue the other on top with a hot glue gun or other strong glue, and decorate as you wish. Pop an electric tea light into the top and voila!