Materials:
- Glass jars
- Metal wick collars
- Pre-waxed uncut candle wicks
- Wax flakes
- Wax crayons
- Essential oils
Step 1: Prep Your Candle Vessel
Just about any glass jar can be used to hold your homemade scented candle. Wash the jar thoroughly with warm, soapy water to prep it before you start working with the candle wax. Don’t use any glass containers with cracks in them.
Set the oven to the lowest heat setting. Place the jar on a baking tray and leave it in the oven while working on the wick.
Step 2: Make Your Candle Wick
Cut the candle wick to the desired length based on the height of your glass container; add about an extra inch past the jar height, then trim it down before burning the candle later on. Thread the wick through the metal wick collar, using pliers to tighten the collar and keep the wick firmly in place.
Step 3: Assemble the Candles
Take the jar out of the oven using oven mitts. Place a few wax flakes in the bottom of the jar right at the center. The wax should melt slightly due to the heat of the glass. Before the wax cools, place the metal wick collar there to set.
To keep the rest of the wick upright, lay a toothpick, pencil or chopstick across the top of the glass. Hold the wick so that it rises straight up from the metal collar the bottom. Attach the wick to the item you’ve laid across the top of the glass using a piece of tape.
Step 4: Melt the Candle Wax
Melt twice the volume of wax flakes in ounces as your container can hold. For example, an 8-ounce jar needs 16 ounces of wax flakes.
Place the wax flakes in a heat-resistant container. Fill a saucepan or pot with an inch or two of water and heat it on the stove over low to medium heat. Put the container with the wax flakes in the pot or pan. Stir the wax with a wooden spoon as it melts, making sure it doesn’t go over 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 5: Add Color & Scent
Use broken pieces of wax crayons to add color to the wax. Stir the pieces in fully then take the wax off the stove. Once it cools down to about 125 degrees Fahrenheit, you can add drops of essential oils to get your desired scent. Use 10 drops of oils per 16 ounces of wax flakes.
Step 6: Pour the Wax
Pour the wax into the jar slowly, stopping at least a centimeter or two below the rim. Allow it to cool completely before burning your candle for the first time.
Use these instructions to make DIY scented candles at home. Experiment with different colors and essential oils combinations to create all kinds of unique homemade candles.