How to Make Candles at Home? - 4 Homemade Candles Ideas
Candles in a mason jar and other containers are one of the most popular decorations one can find basically in any house. It's also a fantastic gift idea - especially if you make your candles yourself. Homemade candles aren't any worse than the ones bought at store. On the contrary - they are often far priettier and they smell fabulous. Are you wondering how to make candles at home? It's really simple! Check out our candle DIY ideas.
Why should you make your candles at home?
Although candles are not really a unique product, they are immensely popular. Such decorations appear basically in any home. The more interesting the form and more beautiful the smell, the higher the price of such an item.
But you don’t have to spend a fortune on them. Mason jar candles are nothing complicated, so you can make such a product yourself. You just need a few basic objects and a little time to prepare a really interesting project.
If you decide to make homemade candles, first think about the style you like the most. Just use the right dye or other decorative elements. You can also create a DIY candle of any scent. It’s a big plus of home candle making, as stored don’t always provide products smelling the way you would prefer.
When you learn how to make candles at home, you can turn it into a business. Many people search for homemade gifts. A good marketing and a few first clients is all you need to reach a success.
How to make candles at home?
A good idea is the most important part of making candles at home. You should also decide whether you want mason jar candles or a standalone candle in a particular shape. Think of the decorations you want to use, the color of the candle and the scent (if any) you prefer.
Homemade candles require the following items:
- wax
- a candle mold or a jar/container
- a wick
- dye
- essential oil
- decorations (e.g. dry plants, fruits, glitter)
- a large saucepan
- a bowl
Mason jar candles are much easier to make than standalone variants. In this case, you don’t have to think which side is up and which down. It’s a good option for those who are making a homemade candle for the first time.
How to make your own candles:
- Fill the saucepan with water - no more than half the volume, and heat it up on a stove.
- Put wax in the bowl, adjusting the amount to how many candles you want to make and their size. Place the bowl over the saucepan and slowly melt the wax for your homemade candles.
- If you’re making colorful or scented candles, add the essential oil and/or the dye to the melted wax. This is the moment to use decorations. Sink them in the wax. You can also stick them to the jar walls so that they are evenly distributed.
- Put the wick in the jar (or in the mold) and pour the wax over it.
Leave your DIY candle to cool off. The larger it is, the more time it needs before it can be used. The tiniest homemade candles become firm after 4-5 hours. Larger ones might need up to 16-20 hours.
Making candles at home - what decorations to use?
As for decorations used in homemade candles, there is no universal solution, as everyone likes something completely different. Certain elements, however, are more popular than others. DIY candles often use dried:
- lavender,
- rose,
- pine,
- orange,
- rowan berries.
Coffee, colorful stones, pinecones, acorns, leaves, cloves and anise sunken in homemade candles look fantastic as well.
DIY candle wick - what to use for a candle wick?
Candle wick is typically made of a cotton twine, perfect for this purpose. It is not the only possibility, however. Other popular options include:
- hemp yarn,
- wood,
- jute twine.
A candle wick needs to be well prepared before it can be used. It must be longer than the candle. A special metal plate is tied to its end. The candle wick is also dipped in the melted wax so that it becomes firmer.
Mason jar candles - a perfect gift or a decoration idea
A mason jar candle is one of the best-looking home decorations. It’s really easy to make, and you can make it look the way you want by using decorative elements and scents.
Large mason jar candles look particularly beautiful. You can also make a set of similar products, wrap it nicely and give to someone - it’s a very good gift idea.
You can find many interesting-looking jars on the market - and they don’t have to be branded as jars meant for candles. Glass containers with a lid are particularly attractive - stylish and elegant, just like from the best professional candle manufacturers.
Scented homemade candles in metal cans
Homemade candles look beautiful in cans. It’s the container that catches the most attention, in this case. Even if you add some decorations such as dried flowers or other elements, they won’t be visible. Instead, you can make use of the sense of smell. A DIY candle in a can is a perfect option for a scented version.
Are you wondering what popular fragrance notes you can use in your homemade candles? Check the list below:
- lavender,
- fir,
- lemon grass,
- orange,
- tangerine,
- lemon,
- pine,
- bergamot,
- grapefruit,
- vanilla,
- rose,
- musk,
- jasmine.
Interestingly enough, some of the essential oils added to a DIY candle affect the health and wellbeing of a human. For instance, a lavender-scented candle is a great aid for insomnia, while citruses - orange or grapefruit fragrances help with fighting tiredness and evoke energy. Additionally, if you lit a bergamot-scented candle on your patio, it will repel mosquitoes.
Holiday souvenirs - how to make a candle in a seashell?
Are you dreaming of an original decoration that will remind you of your perfect holiday? You can make your own candles using seashells. If they are very small, unfortunately, you need a jar or another glass (best if transparent) container. You can put the seashells in it and pour wax over them.
Homemade candles made directly in a seashell have a little different, intriguing look. If you want to make them, you need large shells. You’ll probably won’t find them on a beach, and even if you do, it might be illegal to pick them. Don’t take the risk, as the fines might be substantial. Instead, you can buy beautiful shells in local stores for cheap, regardless of the country you’re in.
How to make a candle in a seashell? The whole process is always the same - in this case, you use a shell as a container instead of a mason jar or a mold.
Homemade candles in coconut shells
Coconut shells can be used in many ways. One can turn them into bowls, jewellery boxes or a homemade candle basis.
Do you think it’s difficult to process a coconut shell and are afraid that you aren’t able to do that? No worries! You can find already prepared, cleaned shells that are perfect containers for homemade candles.
Similar to a DIY candle in a seashell, the process looks quite the same. You can add some decorations at the top to make your homemade candles look even better. Wooden wicks are recommended in this case for better aesthetics.
📍 How to make beeswax candles?
Beeswax candles are made just like any other candle. The only difference is that beeswax is natural, so it's completely safe for humans and natural environment.
📍 How to make a candle decoration?
Making candles for decoration doesn't differ from the standard candle making procedure. In this case, you just need to add some decorative elements. You can use dried flowers or fruits. Adding a dye in a chosen color is a common practice as well.
📍 How to make scented candles?
If you want to make scented candles, just add some essential oil while making them. Just a few drops is all you need, although it depends on the size of the candle. There are many possibilities, but you can use the most popular options such as lavender, citruses and lemongrass.
📍 How to make gel candles?
To make gel candles, use special paraffin gel instead of wax. The melting process and the whole procedure looks exactly the same as with homemade wax candles.
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