How to Make a Simple Candle
Last night my son invited me to watch a movie with him on Netflix. Being that we don’t have an internet connection to our TV (but he does) it meant watching it in his bedroom. Now for any of you who have never had a teenage or young adult boy living in your house, you may not be able to relate to or understand what this entails. Boys rooms are messy. I know I’ve heard of some that are not, I just haven’t actually seen one (ok, maybe one). Piles of laundry seem to dominate the decor. And it being winter, I can’t just pop open a window for fresh air…boys just smell “different” than girls. My theory is that as long as it gets cleaned periodically and there’s nothing unsanitary in there (like leftover food), I can live with the door shut. He pays rent and he’s an adult. He’s even considering paying his sister to deal with the laundry.
However, this left me with a decision as to whether I should abide by one of my important rules for parenting, which is Never say “no” when your teen or adult kids invite you to do something fun together. That precious quality time is valuable to me.
My solution was to bring a candle with me, put blinders on to the clutter, and simply relax and enjoy the movie together!
Making candles is a fun and easy project that can be done lickety split. It’s a great project to do with kids, and if you use the right ingredients you’ll be making a little mini-air cleaner at the same time- perfect for a boys room! Beeswax candles actually filter and purify your air, helping to eliminate toxins. A scented paraffin-based candle, or a chemical-based spray (hello lysol?) do not.
Here I’ll show you how to make a simple glass jar candle, to enjoy in your own home or to give as a special gift.
You can grab a mason jar, a leftover jar from another candle, or any pretty glass holder that you think will make a nice candle (lid optional). You can even use a teacup.
Check brambleberry or glorybee for supplies or visit your local craft store. You’ll need the following:
- Beeswax
- Wick (choose the right size for your jar)
- Bobby pin
- Sticky gum stuff used for picture hanging, chewing gum, or double sided tape
- Metal wick tabs
Start by preparing your glass and wick. Thread your wick (I made a three wick candle) through the metal wick holder. A blunt needle or the end of your bobby pin will help push it through. Cut it a bit longer than the glass:
Use double stick tape or sticky gum to affix the bottom of the metal holder to the bottom of your glass or cup:
Use a bobby pin to hold the wick up straight while the wax hardens. I taped mine to a chopstick to bridge the gap:
Melt your beeswax on low heat, then carefully pour in your mold:
Be sure to let the wax cool away from any drafts so your wax doesn’t form unsightly cracks. When completely cool, trim the wick:
Now grab a cup of coffee or tea, find your happy place, light and enjoy!
I’ll end this post with a some simple gift wrap ideas. Happy Candlemaking!
A simple ribbon and tag:
Corrugated Paper and Twine. You can do this right over the glass:
Embroidery and Fabric:
Stamps, Scissors and Paper Art:
And my personal favorite, taking a bit more time. Buttons wired together:
