Have you ever made your own candles?
Candles can be made with things you already have around the house. I’ve used jars, old candle tins, and…
Shells!
If you haven’t made candles before you should give it a try. For one thing, it’s just so easy! But the best part is that you’ll hear “Oh, you made that!” a TON! This makes for a great project!
First, you buy these supplies from a craft store…
Wicks, fragrance, dye, and Soy Wax.
I like the way Soy Wax melts so I always use it whenever I’m making candles. A little goes a long ways so plan on making a ton of candles or having some supplies for later. The fragrance and dye can be used in soaps as well. {That’s for another day.}
I haven’t had time to take photos of each step, so I’ll just explain it to you for now.
- Find and clean a large shell.
- Take a glass measuring cup and melt one cup of wax to start.{Be sure to read the directions!}
- Prop your shell up in a towel to hold it level.
- Stir a drop or two of color and fragrance into your wax.
- Hold a wick in the center of the shell as you pour in your wax to the desired level.
- Let it cool and your done!
Tips: I use just a little yellow to give it a slight color like the inside of a shell. I burn these candles with other shells around the base to hold them up straight while they are burning. Sand in a beautiful glass dish would work so nice. Cut the wick a little shorter before burning to keep from having a large flame.
These would be wonderful for a dinner party on the porch one warm evening! {We’re in Florida so the time in now!} The shell itself lights up so nice!
These are my upcoming projects…
I’m going to take this tea cup and turn it into a candle. It was given to us when we were married, but it has a chip now. I still love it and I’m sure it will make a great candle!
I found these on Martha Stewart’s website…
Aren’t they pretty? You can find old tea cups at thrift stores and yard sales and turn them into wonderful gifts!
This would be great for Easter…
Making candles with things you have around the house is a great way to be creative and save money. You’ll be surprised at just how easy it is and how pretty candles can be in things you already have…like eggs!
This is what “Works-For-Me” this week! Hop on over to We are That Family for more Works-For-Me-Wednesday Fun!
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I haven’t ever tried candle making, but I love the photos in your post! I may have to give that a try.
living with lindsay’s last blog post..DIY Mottled Egg Spring Wreath
Those are darling! I might try that!
Lana’s last blog post..Kitchen Re-do…oh my!
I love the idea of egg shell candles…so festive!
Well they are all really cute! But I have a very special tea cup that I got as a gift……I’m thinking I see a candle in it’s future! Thanks for the great idea!
nikkicrumpet’s last blog post..WHEN EYEBROWS GO BAD……
Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my recipe. I make it for Christmas breakfast. It is very rich and sweet and oh so yummy. You will love it and so will your fam. Blessings.
VERY COOL idea…….I love the recycling of things…..I have tons of pinch pots made by my kids or other random objects that would look fabulous as candles. One thing I have done is kept all my nice smelling candles that burn down knowing that one day I would melt them all and reuse them…..you have now officially given me the push!
Thanks~!
~*Michelle*~’s last blog post..I wish I had an extra two grand hanging around……
OOOhhhh! Kim, I love this. I really love the idea of the tea cups. I’ll be trying that one myself!
Love you!!
Those teacup candles are beautiful! I need to do this!
songbirdtiff’s last blog post..
You are so creative! I love making candles ,however I always end up putting them in old jars. the tea cups are so cute. We bought crayons last time to color our wax with.
Blossoming Skillet’s last blog post..New Toy
You made some really neat looking candles. I’ve made some of my own candles before, but I haven’t done it in years. I don’t think mine looked as cool as yours though.
Buffie’s last blog post..Free Redbox Rental – March 18 Only
Thanks for sharing this idea. I just saw an old teacup in my china cabinet that is stained inside. I love the colors outside though, it would be an awesome candle.
Jerri’s last blog post..What’s On Your Mind ‘09 – Write Your Own Psalm
Great ideas for candles! They are beautiful!
Kim V’s last blog post..A Taste of Spring…Inside
I love the tea cup candle idea. That’s a wonderful way to continue enjoying your special tea cup.
Amanda’s last blog post..Strategies for Handling An Overly Energetic Child
What a wonderful idea… these would be wonderful gifts for a bridal shower!!! I am liking this!
Yvette
What a great idea! And easy for those of us that can’t call ourselves crafty. I’ll be looking into those supplies and making candles very soon!
Kim H.’s last blog post..Q&A Wednesday
Ooooo…I love this idea. Super cute for gifts!
I am soo going to try this!
Thanks for the tips….
Tracey’s last blog post..Lasagna Rolls-WFMW
Those eggshell ones are so pretty- perfect for Spring/Easter time!! Maybe I’ll give it a whirl…
gina’s last blog post..Building Art
I saw the Martha Stewart show the day she made the candles. I have thought about making my own candles. But, I get burned using the glue gun. So I’m not sure that I can handle hot candle wax.
SoBella Creations’s last blog post..National Craft Month
Fabulous. Thanks for sharing ANOTHER great idea!
Kimm at Reinvented’s last blog post..Trash to Treasure Tuesday-The Frugal Storage Edition
Your shell candles are beautiful! I love the eggshell candle idea for Easter, too. I think my kids would enjoy doing this!
Gayle’s last blog post..Polly Is Aging
This is a great idea-those tea cup candles are just beautiful!!
Kara’s last blog post..Cafe Rio Pork
Loving the teacup candle idea! You have to show pics when you complete the project! Thanks for visiting my blog!
Leah’s last blog post..Dear Husb,
So cool! I wish I didn’t live in an apartment where candles aren’t allowed.
I would love to make one of those teacup candles.
Rachel’s last blog post..Happy St. Patrick’s Day
Wow, you make this look simple enough that even I could do it!
Just found your site for the first time! I’m very glad I came. 
And I’ll be back!
Lori’s last blog post..Yellow Rice and Sausage Casserole
I never even thought to make my own candles…it does look easy…I love the shell idea and the eggs are cute too…
Sue’s last blog post..TABLESCAPE THURSDAY……..GOING GREEN.
What a fantatsic idea! I have so many cups and mugs that people have given us, or that we’ve collected and I have no idea what to do with them. Turning them into candles is a great idea!
Rina’s last blog post..Sunday Linkage – Sisterhood Award!
I want to eat those candles.
The Stabbing Pen’s last blog post..3/23 – “Spinoffs with the animals”
Great idea … I can’t wait to try the shell candles. I’m going to stick them in a big hurricane with sand.
Thanks,
Heather
Mrs. Jones’s last blog post..Lamps
Hello! Stopping over from Kimba’s. Those shell candles are too cute! Thanks for the idea!
Southern Fried Gal’s last blog post..Terrarium On a Budget
Gosh, what great ideas! I never thought of using sea shells for candles. You always have such creative projects. I just love visiting your blog.
Very cute ideas! I’m going to have to start checking thrift stores for cute teacups.
Kara’s last blog post..Blueberry Sunflower Muffins
OH how cute! I have some coconut shells I picked up in Hawaii that I would like to turn into candles.
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Very clever recycling projects. Thanks for sharing.
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OK I AM HOOKED ON THIS SITE
I HAVE NOT MADE CANDLES AND IBURN CANDLES EVERY NIGHT IN OUR COOL FALL WEATHER IN KANSAS UNTIL SPRINGTIME. I SPEND ALOT OF CANDLES BUT GET THEM ON SALE AFTER THE HOLIDAYS EVERY YEAR. BUT, I HAVE A HINT FOR YOU THAT DON’T KNOW THIS. PUT A LITTLE WATER IN THE BOTTOM OF YOUR CANDLE HOLDER, WHATEVER IT IS AND WHEN THE WAX MELTS AND GETS TO THAT LEVEL OF THE WATER, IT WILL GO OUT AND YOU CAN REUSE THAT HOLDER AGAIN WITHOUT THE MESS. AFTER IT DRIES, IT JUST POPS RIGHT OUT. GREAT WHEN YOU ARE USING VOTIVE CUPS OR LARGER CUPS. SIMPLE
Great idea.. I really love the candle like an egg.