Hi, y’all! It’s Rachel from Like a Saturday. As always, I’m happy to be back with you!
I have been on a major candle kick lately. I think maybe it has been all of the gloomy weather we’ve been having lately in Texas. When it’s grey and chilly outside, I just want to make the house as cozy as possible — fluffy blankets, a good book and the warm glow of candle light. I’m picky about my candle scents and ingredients, which unfortunately means the ones I’m drawn to are on the pricier side. I thought I’d try my hand at making my own homemade versions! I was a bit intimidated by the task, but it turned out to be so much easier than I thought….and fun, too!
To make your own homemade candles you will need the following:
- Soy based wax flakes
- Candle wicks with metal base
- Wooden skewers or chop sticks
- Glass bowl
- Sauce pan
- Containers like mason jars, small glass dishes, or tea cups
- Ingredients of choice for scent
To melt the wax, you will want to create a double boiler with a glass bowl and sauce pan. Fill the pan about halfway with water and bring to a boil. Pour the wax flakes into a glass bowl (about 2-4 cups depending on the size of your container) and set it on top of the pan.
Stir the wax every few minutes until it is completely melted. While you have the wax on the stove, go ahead and prep your candle container. You will want to dip the metal base of the wick and then stick to the bottom of your container, making sure that it is centered. Once that is dry, wrap the end of the wick around a skewer until it is sitting on the edge. This will keep the wick centered in place.
Once the wax is completely melted, carefully and slowly pour into your prepped container.
Next you will add your ingredients for the scent of your choice. I opt to use natural ingredients like essential oils or items you probably already have in your pantry.
To make a “Vanilla” candle, you will use 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Pour it into the melted wax and stir well with a skewer or chop stick to make sure it is blended well. I also added some coffee beans after the wax had set for a bit, but was still soft. This makes a subtle vanilla latte scent.
For a “Lavender Lemonade” candle, use 20 drops each of lavender and lemon essential oils. Stir with a stick to ensure it is blended well. You can use just one essential oil scent or try your own combination of favorites.
You will need to let the candles set for 24 hours before using them. Once enough time has passed, you can trim the wicks down to about 1/8 of an inch and enjoy!
Aside from having lovely candles to have in your own home, these make lovely Mother’s Day, birthday, house warming or hostess gifts! Embellish the jars with ribbon, fabric, or a cute label. I tried some hand lettering with a chalk pencil on black card stock and wrapped around each jar.
What scent would you try?
I’d love for you to stop by Like a Saturday to say hello! 🙂
These look amazing and so easy to make. I will definitely give them a go. How about orange?…
Yum! Orange would be amazing, especially in the spring and summer! You could use orange essential oil to get that scent.
These are great! Where does one find soy-based wax flakes? Do you have any suggestions? Thanks!
Hi Corey! You can purchase the soy wax flakes at a craft store. I found mine at our local Hobby Lobby. Good luck! 🙂
I have to do this soon! thanks for sharing!
This is such a fun project! I definitely want to try this myself!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
I have got to try making some of these! I swear I spend way too much on candles in my house and this would be a great solution!
Great tutorial. I just did this on Sunday but I had some trouble pouring the wax from the bowl to the containers. How did you manage that part? I also don’t think I used enough sent as mine aren’t strong enough. So remember not to skimp on the scent!
Hi Paula! The scent can be a little bit of trial and error depending on your preferences, so that is definitely something to play around with until it’s exactly how you like it. I have an awesome silicone pot holder mit that made it easy to hold the bowl and pour. Have you tried using a bowl with a spout or handle? That may help some! 🙂
I just made some at home and if you are using glass containers you can just put them in the microwave with the wax chips and melt at 45 second bursts, I then dropped the essential oil in and mixed and then added the wick and held it up using two skewers. You dont have to use another pan…I did this as I dont really have plans to spare.
This looks like such an easy and fun project. I love candles (my husband hates them – lol). I would love to make my own with custom scents. These are great gift ideas too.
I have made the candles by microwaving the soy wax flakes. I used a glass pyrex measuring cup in the microwave which made it easier to pour. Hope that helps!
Making your own candles is so much more affordable. And fun =)
I’m just getting into making candles. I read a book that made some suggestions that make it a little more economical to make them. Like using an old coffee can or other metal can, pinch a pour spout into it and use it to pour your melted candle wax. I love the idea of using my own homemade scents. Plan to make the vanilla with coffee beans for my daughter-in-law. She and my son love coffee. Great idea–thanks for sharing Rachel!
The perfect thank you gift for my Relay For Life Team cant wait to get started
I’m planning on making soy candles for gifts for coworkers. I even have all the ingredients.
I’m curious, though, why do you add your oil to the jar after wax is poured in? I was going to
add it to my wax as soon as it melted in my container. Thanks
I read somewhere that if you add the scents before you take the wax off the stove the scents will cook off before you want them to, which would probably be slightly frustrating!
Is there a certain wick size you would recommend? I’m brand new to this, and looking at wicks on Amazon is a little overwhelming!
I made some candles for camping – just got done! Wondering how you clean the bowl and such. 🙂 Can’t wait to use these!!
Use an old metal coffee pot from a thrift store such as goodwill
I was wondering if putting a whole leaf of an herb or something would work to cent my candles?
Can I use coconut extracts or orange extracts instead of oils?
Thank you