Jessie Taylor
Decorating homemade candles is a fun and simple DIY project for all skill levels. Whether you're making candles for yourself or as a gift, you can easily customise them with decorations. You can decorate candles with dried herbs, such as lavender or rosemary, or even coffee beans. You can also use napkins with pretty patterns to decorate plain candles, by cutting out the images and placing them on the candle, before using a blow dryer to fix the image. Another option is to use liquid wax pens to decorate candles.
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What You'll Learn
Decorating candles with napkins
To decorate a candle with a napkin, first peel the napkin apart to give you two finer sheets, one with the design and one blank. Cut the sheet with the design on it to fit around your candle. You can use any design, from seasonal patterns to designs that match your decor. Cover the candle with contact paper or wax paper, then use a hairdryer to heat the candle. Once the wax paper is removed, the design from the napkin will be imprinted on the candle.
There are many other ways to decorate homemade candles, such as adding dried flowers, herbs, or crystals to the wax. You can also paint intricate designs on candles or use markers to decorate them. Additionally, you can add essential oils or fragrance oils to make scented candles.
Making your own candles is a simple and therapeutic project, and a great way to create personalised gifts for friends and family.
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Using liquid wax pens
Decorating candles with liquid wax pens is a safe, easy, and creative way to personalise your candles. The liquid wax-based paint is applied directly from the pen—simply squeeze and paint any design you like onto your candles and wax melts. You can also use a sponge to apply the wax to larger areas. The wax is easy to apply, stable, and safe to burn and melt.
Liquid wax pens are available in a variety of colours, including vibrant and creamy shades, as well as different sizes, such as 25ml and 28ml. With these pens, you can turn your candles into little works of art.
When using liquid wax pens, it's important to follow safety precautions. For example, hazardous respirable droplets may be formed when the wax is sprayed, so it's important to avoid inhaling any spray or mist. Always read the product warnings and instructions before use.
To get started with decorating your candles, ensure you have all the necessary materials, including the liquid wax pens, candles or wax melts, and, optionally, a sponge for larger areas. You can find liquid wax pens at craft stores or online. Choose a well-ventilated area to work in and follow the instructions on the pen to start painting your design directly onto the candle.
Get creative and experiment with different colours, techniques, and designs to make your candles unique. You can also combine liquid wax pens with other candle-decorating techniques, such as adding dried herbs, flowers, or glitter, to create truly personalised and artistic candles.
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Adding dried herbs
When choosing herbs to add to your candles, consider their scent and decorative value. Aromatic herbs, like those used in aromatherapy, are popular, as are herbs that evoke emotion. Flowers bring a gentle fragrance, and many types of leaves can be used to decorate the outside of the candle.
- Lavender: One of the most popular choices for candles, lavender elicits calmness and reduces anxiety. Use crushed dried lavender to scent candles and dry flower buds for decoration.
- Mint: Homemade peppermint-scented candles make for a great holiday table centerpiece or Christmas gift. Spearmint-scented candles offer a clean, fresh fragrance that can be burned year-round.
- Rosemary: Like lavender, rosemary can be used for both fragrance and as a design element in candles.
- Chamomile: With its daisy-like flower, chamomile imparts both aroma and decorative value to candle-making.
- Lemon Verbena: This lemon-scented shrub releases a fresh citrus scent when its leaves are touched.
- Thyme: Thyme has a unique, leathery scent and is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
When adding dried herbs to your candles, there are a few methods you can use:
- Sprinkle the herbs directly into the wax: Measure out the amount of wax you need, melt it in a double boiler, and then sprinkle in the dried herbs. Keep the herbs at least 1/2 inch away from the wick to avoid any fire hazards.
- Glue the herbs to the inside of the jar: Add the dried herbs to the side of the container before pouring in the wax. This method creates a longer procedure but will make your candles more aesthetic.
- Add herbs on top of the candle: This method is especially suitable for lavender buds, as they retain their purple colour and can enhance the calming effect of lavender essential oil. However, keep a careful eye on the candle when burning to ensure the herbs do not come into contact with the flame.
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Customising with essential oils
Essential oils are a great way to customise your DIY candles and make them truly your own. You can choose from a wide variety of essential oils, each with its own unique scent and therapeutic properties. Whether you prefer floral, citrus, woody, or earthy aromas, there is an essential oil to suit your taste.
To add essential oils to your candles, simply follow these steps:
- Prepare your workspace by laying out all the necessary materials, including your chosen essential oil, wax, wicks, double boiler, heat-safe jars, and any decorative elements you wish to include.
- Measure out the recommended amount of essential oil for your desired scent strength. A good starting point is around 60 drops of essential oil for a subtle fragrance.
- Combine the essential oil with your melted wax. Stir gently to ensure even distribution. Take caution to avoid splashing or spilling the hot wax.
- Pour the scented wax into your heat-safe jars or moulds. You can also add dried herbs, such as lavender or rosemary, for additional decoration and a more textured appearance.
- Allow your candles to cure and harden for at least 24 hours. This step is crucial, as it ensures that your candles are stable and long-lasting.
- Once the candles are solid, trim the wicks to about 1 inch in length. If there are any imperfections, such as cracks or uneven surfaces, gently melt some additional wax and use it to fill in these areas.
- Finally, decorate your candles with additional embellishments if desired. You can attach dried flowers, crystals, or other decorative items to the exterior of the candle, transforming it into a true work of art.
Remember, when working with essential oils, it's important to use high-quality, pure essential oils to ensure the best fragrance and avoid any skin irritations. Always exercise caution when handling hot wax, and never leave burning candles unattended.
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Making candles in oyster shells
Preparing the Oyster Shells:
Firstly, collect or purchase a variety of oyster shells in different sizes. Clean and dry the shells thoroughly to ensure no moisture remains. Separate the shells into three groups: small, medium, and large. You can decide how many of each size you'll need based on the desired arrangement for your candle holder.
Creating the Candle Holder:
For this project, you'll need a flat, circular piece of wood, about 4-5 inches in diameter. This will serve as the base of your candle holder. Place a votive candle in the centre of the wood to ensure you leave enough space for it among the oyster shells.
Now, it's time to attach the oyster shells to the wood base. Use a strong adhesive to secure the shells, creating an arrangement that pleases you. Try to ensure the shells are level and stable. Allow the adhesive to dry completely.
Adding the Finishing Touches:
Once the shells are securely attached, you can enhance the appearance of your candle holder. One option is to seal it with spray shellac, which adds a clear, glossy coat that brings out the unique colours of the shells. Alternatively, leave it unsealed for a more natural look.
Finally, add a tea candle to the centre of your oyster shell creation, and it's ready to be displayed! These candle holders look beautiful on a table, bookshelf, or tray, and they make excellent gifts for coastal enthusiasts.
Making Oyster Shell Candles:
If you're feeling adventurous, you can take this DIY project a step further by creating candles directly inside the oyster shells. This process is a bit more challenging but still accessible to beginners. Here's what you'll need to do:
Materials and Preparation:
You'll require oyster shells, candle wax (soy wax is a popular choice), fragrance oils or essential oils (optional), wicks with a metal base, a double boiler, a pot, a measuring cup or pouring container, and a lined, rimmed baking sheet or shallow pan.
Melting the Wax:
Use the double boiler method to melt your candle wax. Place the wax in a candle bag, secure it with a rubber band, and then put the bag in a pot of simmering water. Monitor the wax closely, and once it has liquefied, carefully remove the bag from the water and place it in your measuring cup or pouring container.
Pouring and Setting:
Slowly and carefully pour the hot wax into the oyster shells, being cautious not to disturb the wicks. As oyster shells are shallow and uneven, some wax may spill. Allow the wax to cool and harden for several hours. You can place the shells in the freezer to speed up the process and facilitate cleaning up any excess wax.
Final Touches:
Once the wax has hardened, trim the wicks to about 1 inch. If you notice any imperfections on the surface, use a heat gun to smooth them out. Your oyster shell candles are now ready to be displayed and enjoyed, perhaps arranged on a wooden board with artificial flowers for a charming coastal display.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some simple ways to decorate candles:
- Using napkins: Choose a pretty paper napkin with a design you like. Carefully peel the napkin apart so that your pattern is only 1 ply. Wrap the 1-ply design around your candle, leaving about 1/4" overlap. Then, use a blow dryer to adhere the napkin to the candle.
- With liquid wax pens: You can find these at craft stores.
- Decorating the outside of a jar candle: Use markers to decorate the outside of a jar candle.
You can add fragrance oils or essential oils to your candles to make them scented. Fragrance oils have a stronger, longer-lasting scent, but they are usually not natural. Essential oils have a more subtle scent and are natural. You can also use dried herbs like lavender or rosemary, or even coffee beans, but these don't provide much fragrance.
To make homemade candles, you will need wax (soy wax or beeswax), wicks, and a container to melt the wax in. You can also add essential oils or fragrance oils for scent. If you want to make jar candles, you will need heat-safe jars, such as mason jars or glass jam jars.
Making homemade candles can vary in time depending on the complexity of the project. However, there are simple candle-making projects that can be completed in about 20 minutes.
