LA Good Questions: Displaying Veladoras?

I wanted to get people's opinion on religious "veladoras" or candles. I recently received a bag full of 5 veladoras, which are tall glass candles with colorful religious images and/or motives. I decided to keep them since I think they're kinda kitschy, and I think I could do something rad with them and have them display in a cool and funky new way. The thing is... I've run out of ideas and don't know where to display them.

Does anyone have any ideas of how they can be displayed, without looking like it's an altar or anything like that? My house is all sorts of browns with some spots of bright colors here and there. - Gabs

Gabs, we say if you're going to display your veladoras, why not make them a truly notable display by giving them a proper platform like these West Elm Block Wall Shelves? They're perfectly sized for the standard veladora and make the common candle something a little more special. Or how about making them a centerpiece with an elevated circular tray like this one? Veladoras are beautiful en masse, and the circular tray gives each one equal viewing angle.

Anyone out there with other ideas?

[Top photo: Alan Zabicky]

Comments (7)

if you have a fireplace, it would look cool to bunch them in there as an alternative to a fire and lite them when you want some ambiance.

posted by kepkep on December 7th 2007 at 12:12pm
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These would also looked kind of cool lined up across a windowsill-- light them up and they would give a nice holiday glow for you and the neighbors to enjoy.

posted by Lorena in SD on December 7th 2007 at 12:51pm
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we used to have them on the sill in front of our woodstove. i think you have to accept the altar-y feel of them, though. no matter what you do, they're going to evoke kitch-relig, so just embrace it!

posted by pinko on December 7th 2007 at 1:40pm
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If you happen to win the seven deadly sins candleset, it could end up being a very balanced display...

posted by anastasia on December 7th 2007 at 2:18pm
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i have 12 white ones lined up 3x4 spaced perfectly in my fireplace in the warmer seasons when we're not using the fireplace.

posted by r0cky on December 8th 2007 at 8:19am
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Why spend $45 on shelves to display $2.00 candles? But how about a veladora menorah?

posted by Palmetto on December 10th 2007 at 3:03pm
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I'd go all the way with the theme, and create an "altar". Add some other cool/kitschy religious-themed items (a small buddah statue, Virgen de Guadeloupe icon card, small decorative container of water, incense, photo of an ancestor, Om symbol, prayer flag, prayer beads, etc.).

You could do it just as a kitsch thing, or select items which actually have meaning to you (making it a real altar).

posted by pisceanchick on December 10th 2007 at 6:06pm
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