Chloe Adams
Pressed flower candles are a fun DIY project that can be done relatively quickly and easily. They are a great way to bring the outdoors inside, especially during the colder months, and they make perfect gifts for friends and family. To make pressed flower candles, you need to choose the right flowers, dry and press them, and then attach them to the candle using melted wax. This can be done by dipping a brush into the melted wax and gently dabbing it around the edges of the flower, or by using a hot knife to secure the flower to the candle. You can also add essential oils and dried flowers to the melted wax before pouring it into a mould to create scented candles. With some creativity and experimentation, anyone can make beautiful pressed flower candles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flowers to use | Colorful, thin-petaled blossoms with a mix of colors, types, sizes, and greenery |
| Flower preparation | Use a book or ironing method to press flowers |
| Wax type | Soy wax for the first pour and paraffin wax for the second |
| Wick | Candle wick should be longer than the container |
| Container | Glass container |
| Flower attachment | Use a hot knife, melted wax, or double-boiled wax to attach flowers to the candle |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing flowers: Opt for thin, colourful petals, dried flat.
When choosing flowers for your pressed flower candles, it's best to opt for blossoms with thin, colourful petals. Thicker flowers, leaves, and other plant materials may not adhere as well to the candle and could pose a safety risk when burned. Delicate flowers with bright colours tend to work best, as they dry quickly and are safer for attaching to candles. White flowers, for example, are not ideal as their colours are too pale.
You can gather flowers from your garden or buy them online. It's best to collect them late in the morning, after the dew has evaporated, so the plants are dry but still fresh. Try to select a mix of colours, flower types, sizes, and greenery to create an interesting, multi-dimensional design. You can also include leaves and other plant materials, but be mindful of their thickness.
Once you have your flowers, you'll need to press them. There are several methods to do this, including using a book, an iron, or a microwave. The book method involves placing the flowers between pieces of parchment paper and then placing a heavy book on top for several weeks until they are dry. Alternatively, you can speed up the process by using an iron on a low setting, holding it in one place over each flower for about thirty seconds. Another option is to use a microwave, placing the flowers between parchment paper and microwaving at 50% power in short intervals until they are almost completely flat and semi-transparent, but not burned.
After your flowers are pressed and dried, you can begin creating your candles. This typically involves melting wax and either dipping the flowers in the wax or attaching the flowers to the candle and then spreading the wax on top. You can also add essential oils and fragrances to your wax for a scented candle. Just be cautious when using low flashpoint essential oils like citrus, as they can ignite.
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Preparing flowers: Use a book or iron to press flowers.
Pressing flowers is a great way to preserve your favourite blooms and there are a few different methods you can use.
If you're using a book to press your flowers, you'll need to start by placing your flowers between two sheets of absorbent paper, such as printer paper, parchment paper, or newspaper. Avoid using wax paper as this can get mouldy. You can also use a paper towel on top of the parchment paper for more fleshy flowers and leaves. Then, put the paper and flowers inside a heavy book or place a heavy-bottomed pan on top of the paper. Place the book under a stack of other heavy books to increase the pressure. Leave the flowers for a few days or until they are completely dry.
If you're using an iron to press your flowers, start by placing your flowers and leaves on a sheet of greaseproof paper, leaving some room between them so they don't touch when ironed. Then, put another sheet of greaseproof paper on top of the flowers. Preheat your iron to the highest temperature and place it on top of the flowers and paper. Leave the iron in one place for 10 seconds, then remove it and place it in a different spot, repeating the process. Check occasionally to see if the flowers are dry and stiff by carefully lifting the paper.
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Wax type: Soy wax is a non-toxic option for the first pour.
Soy wax is a great option for the first pour when making pressed flower candles. It is non-toxic, which means you can avoid breathing in paraffin while your dried flower candles burn. Soy wax is also a good choice if you want your flowers to be visible, as it can help to minimise toxins. Soy wax is easy to work with and is a good option for beginners, as candle-making supplies are inexpensive and widely available.
When working with soy wax, it's important to follow the correct procedure to ensure the best results. Start by melting the wax in a Pyrex measuring cup placed in a saucepan. This method ensures even melting without direct heat. You can also use a double boiler setup if you prefer. Once your wax is melted, you can add essential oils if desired and give it a good stir.
Next, prepare your container by placing a wick in the centre and securing it with a clothespin. Pour the melted soy wax into the container and allow it to cool completely in the freezer for about an hour. The wax will shrink slightly, making it easy to remove the candle from the mould.
Now it's time to add your pressed flowers. You can use tweezers to place the flowers directly onto the candle, or you can use a paintbrush to dab melted wax around the edges of the flowers to secure them. Work quickly and avoid adding thick layers of wax, as this can affect the adhesion of the flowers. Continue decorating your candle with flowers, petals, and greenery, varying the heights and sizes to create a beautiful, multi-dimensional design.
Once you're happy with your flower arrangement, you can finish your candle with a second pour of wax. Re-melt your wax, and if you used soy wax for the first pour, switch to paraffin wax for this step. Pour the melted wax over the candle, ensuring that the flowers are thoroughly coated. Allow the wax to cool completely before lighting your candle.
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Attaching flowers: Use a hot knife or brush to secure flowers.
To attach flowers to candles, you can use either a hot knife or a brush. If you are using a hot knife, light a small candle and hold its flame to the end of the knife for a few seconds to heat it up. Then, gently press the hot knife on top of the flower for a second or two to heat the wax beneath it. Remove the knife, and the flower will harden in place. Repeat the heating process, then gently slide the hot knife around the rest of the flower to secure it to the candle. If your flower has thicker parts, hold the knife and press gently to sink it into the candle so it's flush with the rest of the flower.
If you are using a brush, dip it into the melted wax, avoiding contact with the flame, and gently dab around the edges of the flower. Once the flower is held in place, spread the wax gently on top of it until the flower is flat and firmly attached to the candle. Work quickly to prevent the wax from cooling. Avoid adding thick layers of wax and use just enough to make the flower stick.
If you are using a jar candle, you can add flowers to the jar before pouring the wax. You can also mix flower petals into the melted wax before pouring it into the jar. If you are using a pillar candle, place the flower on the candle and hold it in place with one hand while you heat the knife or brush with the other.
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Finishing touches: Add essential oils and decorations.
Once you have decorated your candle with pressed flowers, you can add essential oils and decorations as finishing touches. If adding essential oils, add a few drops now and stir thoroughly. You can also add dried flowers to your melted wax before pouring it into your mould. If you want to add more flowers or have them at the bottom of your candle, add some to your jar before pouring in the wax. You can also stir in some flower petals while the wax is cooling.
If you want to add decorations to the outside of your candle, you can use a paintbrush to spread melted wax on the flower. You can also dip the brush into the wax, avoiding the flame, and gently dab around the edges of the flower to secure it. If you get a clump of wax on your brush, simply dip it into the melted wax to melt it away. Work quickly to prevent the wax from cooling. Avoid adding thick layers of wax, and use just enough to make the flower stick.
If you want to add flowers to the outside of your candle, hold the end of a knife above the candle flame for a few seconds to heat it up. Gently press the hot knife on top of the flower to heat the wax beneath it. Remove the knife, and the flower will harden in place. Heat the knife again and gently slide it around the rest of the flower to secure it to the candle. If your flower has any thicker parts, hold the knife and gently press to sink the flower into the wax.
Finally, let your candle cool and solidify for up to 24 hours. Then, cut the wick, leaving a little bit of length, so you can light your candle. You can also add decorations like a lavender sprig, dried flowers, or labels if you are giving the candle as a gift.
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Frequently asked questions
Thin-petaled flowers with bright colours are best as they dry quickly and adhere better to the wax. Delicate flowers with smaller petals are also easier to press.
There are several methods to press flowers. One way is to place the flowers between two pieces of parchment paper and cardboard, and then place the cardboard inside a book. Put the book in the microwave at 50% power for 45 seconds. Check on the flowers and continue to microwave in 15-30 second increments until they are dried and pressed. Alternatively, you can use a flower press or an iron on a low heat setting.
One method is to light a small candle and hold a knife above the flame for a few seconds to heat it up. Gently press the hot knife on top of the flower to heat the wax beneath. Remove the knife, and the flower will harden in place. Repeat this process to secure the flower to the candle. Another method is to dip a paintbrush into the melted wax and gently spread the wax on the flower.
Soy wax is a popular option for candle-making. If you are concerned about toxins, you can use soy wax for the first pour and paraffin wax for the second.
