Maddie James
Floating candles are a popular DIY project for weddings, dinner parties, or seasonal celebrations. They can be made with tea lights, paraffin wax, candle wicks, candle jars, candle colour, and wick holders. The process involves melting wax, adding colour or fragrance, and pouring the mixture into a mould. The candles can then be floated in a bowl of water, or other decorative containers, and are a simple yet elegant addition to any event.
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What You'll Learn
How to make floating candles from tea lights
Making floating candles is a simple project that can add a decorative touch to your home or event. You can make floating candles using tea lights, a candle that doesn't float, and a few other easily accessible materials. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make floating candles from tea lights:
Step 1: Prepare your workspace and materials
Before you begin, gather all the necessary materials, including tea lights, a non-floating candle (such as a taper candle), a bowl or container for melting wax, and a heat source like a stove or hot plate. You will also need a vessel to hold your floating candles, such as a bowl, pond, or vase. If you plan to dye your water or add decorations like flowers or gemstones, have those materials ready as well.
Step 2: Remove the tea light from its metal cup
Take your tea light candle and carefully remove it from its aluminium or metal cup. This step may require some gentle twisting and prying to separate the candle from its casing.
Step 3: Melt wax and seal the tea light
Light the non-floating candle and drip its wax over the base of the tea light. Ensure you cover the metal wick holder completely, creating a seal. You can also try melting wax in a pan on the stove and pouring it carefully onto the tea lights to achieve a better seal. Let the wax solidify before proceeding to the next step.
Step 4: Prepare your vessel
Fill your chosen vessel with water, leaving some space at the top for displaced water when you add your floating candles. If you plan to dye the water, do so now.
Step 5: Add your floating candles
Once the wax seal on your tea lights is dry, carefully place them into the vessel with water. Light your tea lights, and you now have floating candles!
Tips and Variations:
- Floating tea lights have a shorter burn time than regular tea lights, typically lasting 30-45 minutes in water.
- Larger candles will float better and have a longer burn time.
- You can customise your floating candles by adding fragrance or dye to the wax before pouring it into moulds.
- Decorate your vessel with flowers, gemstones, or other decorative items to create a themed or coloured display.
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Using a mould to create floating candles
To create floating candles using a mould, you will need candle-making supplies, including a mould, paraffin wax, candle wicks, a candle jar, candle colour, and a wick holder. Before using your mould, spray it with cooking spray or petroleum jelly to ensure your candles are easy to remove. Next, heat your wax using a double boiler or hot plate. If you are using a double boiler, heat the water first before adding the wax. The wax must reach a temperature of 150 degrees Fahrenheit to pour semi-refined paraffin wax.
Once your wax is at the right temperature, pour it into the mould, ensuring it is evenly dispersed. Allow the wax to cool and settle for a few minutes before adding the wicks. Pre-waxed wicks are easier to insert and stand up more firmly. Your candles will take up to two hours to harden entirely once the wicks have been set.
You can make your floating candles as large or small as you like and can fragrance them with your chosen scent. You can also customise your candles by changing their colour to fit the theme of your event.
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Anchoring floating candles in the centre
If you want to anchor your floating candles in the centre of a vase or bowl, there are a few methods you can try. One option is to use a clear fishing line and hot glue to secure one end of the line to the bottom of the candle and the other end to something heavy, like a purple flower or a small weight. This will help to keep the candle relatively centred while still allowing it to move a little.
Another option is to use a candle that is close to the circumference of your vase or bowl. The larger the candle, the less it will move around. You can also try using a small, submersible LED candle, which will be less likely to move around than a traditional floating candle.
If you're making your own floating candles, you can try sealing the bottom of the candle with wax to make it more stable. This will help it float better and burn longer. You can also try placing something underneath the candle to keep it centred, like clear balls or marbles, or even bubble wrap.
If you're using floating candles as centrepieces for an event, it's a good idea to check with the venue coordinator beforehand to see if they can help with setup and to confirm that floating candles are allowed.
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Choosing a colour and fragrance for your floating candles
When creating your own floating candles, you can customise them to fit the theme of your event or occasion. You can do this by choosing a colour and fragrance that suits the aesthetic and atmosphere you want to create.
For colour, you can use candle colour powder or liquid dye. If you're using liquid dye, you can mix different colours to create your own unique shade. For example, to create a Living Coral shade, you can use 2 drops of magenta liquid dye and 1 drop of yellow liquid dye. You can also use candle-approved essential oils to add fragrance to your candles. Choose a scent that won't overwhelm your guests or compete with any food being served. For instance, a floral and green scent like Hibiscus Palm can add a pleasant aroma to the atmosphere.
If you're creating floating candles for a wedding, you can match the colour to your wedding theme. For example, using clear balls that you soak overnight and then placing the candle on top creates a floating effect and keeps the candle from moving. You can also use a clear fishing line and hot glue to glue one end to the bottom of the candle and the other to a flower to help anchor it in the middle.
For a simple and elegant display, you can place your floating candles in a nice glass bowl with some decorative stones. This way, you can create a romantic atmosphere for a dinner with a loved one or a peaceful bubble bath.
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Displaying floating candles
Choosing a Vessel
You can use a variety of vessels to display your floating candles, such as a glass bowl, vases, or jars. Consider the size of your candles and choose a vessel that complements them. For example, if you want your candles to float freely, opt for a larger vessel. If you prefer the look of candles closer to the edges, choose a vessel that is only slightly wider than your candles.
Filling the Vessel
Fill your chosen vessel with water, ensuring it is deep enough for the candles to float. You can add decorative elements to the water, such as marimo moss balls, sea urchin shells, or other types of decor. If you're using flowers or orchids, consider placing bubble wrap underneath to help them float better.
Anchoring the Candles
If you want your floating candles to stay relatively centred, you can try using clear fishing line and hot glue. Attach one end of the line to the bottom of the candle, and glue the other end to the bottom of the vessel. Adjust the length of the line to control how much the candle moves. Alternatively, use small, clear balls (like Orbeez) underneath the candle to create the illusion of floating while keeping it stationary.
Fragrance and Colour
When choosing a fragrance for your floating candles, opt for something pleasant and subtle that won't overwhelm your guests or compete with any food being served. You can customise the colour of your candles to fit the theme of your event. Mix candle colour powders or liquid dyes to create unique shades.
Lighting the Candles
Before lighting your floating candles, ensure the wicks are trimmed to about 1/8" to 1/4" to prevent uneven burning. Keep in mind that floating candles may have shorter burn times than regular candles due to their exposure to water. Have extra candles or a lighter on hand to relight them if needed.
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Frequently asked questions
Floating candles are a decor item that can be used for a variety of occasions, such as dinner parties, weddings, or seasonal celebrations. They are candles that float in water, often displayed in a glass bowl or vase with decorative stones or flowers.
You will need candle-making supplies such as paraffin wax, candle wicks, candle jars or moulds, candle colour, and wick holders. You can also use essential oils to add fragrance to your candles. These supplies can be purchased from arts and crafts stores or online retailers.
To make floating candles, you will need to melt the wax and add colour or fragrance if desired. Pour the wax into moulds or jars and allow it to cool and harden. For floating tea light candles, remove the tea light from its metal cup and seal the bottom with melted wax. You can also create floating candles by dripping wax from a taper candle onto the underside of a tea light.
To keep floating candles from moving around, you can use fishing line and hot glue to secure them in place. Another option is to use small, clear balls or marbles to create the illusion of floating while keeping the candle stable.
Floating candles may have a shorter burn time than regular candles due to the water. A small tea light may burn for 30-45 minutes in water, while a larger candle can last for about 2 hours. Trimming the wick to the appropriate length can help prevent the candle from being extinguished by the water.
