Tyler Brooks
Water candles are a fun DIY project that can add a whimsical touch to your home decor. They are also useful items in the game Terraria, where they can be crafted at a crystal ball and placed or held to increase enemy and critter spawn rates. In real life, water candles are made by combining water with decorations and oil in a glass container, creating a pretty, shimmering light. The key to making a water candle is creating a floating wick out of thin plastic and adding a secret ingredient to the water. This guide will teach you how to make your own water candle at home, as well as provide tips for crafting water candles in Terraria.
How to Craft a Water Candle
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Required items | Crystal ball, candle, water |
| Crafting station | Crystal ball |
| Water candle effects | Increases enemy and critter spawn rates, emits a low amount of light |
| Water candle placement | On a wood platform, a table, flat furniture item, or some blocks |
| Water candle use | Can be held or placed |
| Water level | Leave 1 inch (2.5 cm) of space at the top of the jar |
| Oil type | Canola oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, or lamp oil |
| Oil level | 1⁄3 to 1⁄2 inch (0.85 to 1.27 cm) deep |
| Wick material | Thin plastic |
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What You'll Learn
Find a glass container
Glass containers are a great choice for water candles because they are fireproof, safe, and eco-friendly. You can purchase candle containers in bulk from suppliers such as The Flaming Candle and Glassnow. These suppliers offer a variety of designs, materials, sizes, shapes, and styles to choose from. For instance, The Flaming Candle offers stylish glass containers, versatile tins, and bulk options, while Glassnow offers eco-friendly, recycled candle containers ranging from 2.5 to 26 ounces.
If you're looking for a more sustainable and creative option, you can upcycle existing items such as empty glass bottles or vintage tea cups into glass candle vessels. This reduces waste, your carbon footprint, and saves you money. You can find these items in your home, or at thrift stores and flea markets.
When choosing a glass container, it's important to consider factors such as size, shape, and stability. The container should be wide enough to accommodate the size of the candle and have a stable base to prevent tipping. Additionally, some vessels may have different heat-conducting properties, which can affect how quickly the wax melts or how evenly the candle burns. Therefore, testing your candle in the chosen vessel before use is recommended.
Before pouring in the wax, ensure your glass container is completely dry and free of any strong odors. You can wash glass vessels with soap and water, then dry them thoroughly. If your vessel has a strong odor, you may need to let it air out or use a baking soda or vinegar solution to remove the smell.
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Use a crystal ball as a crafting station
To craft a water candle, you need to use a crystal ball as a crafting station. The crystal ball must be bought from the Wizard NPC for 10 gold and is only available in Hard Mode. The crystal ball should be placed just above the water, allowing you to use both crafting stations simultaneously. This is a requirement for making the Water Candle.
To make the Water Candle, ensure that you have candles in your inventory. Place the crystal ball near a source of water, such as a sink or a lake, and submerge it partially. You can also create a small one-block cell by using a bucket made of iron or lead to hold water, then sealing it with a block. Rest the crystal ball on this block.
With the crystal ball in place near water, you can now craft the Water Candle. It must be placed on a flat surface like a workbench. You can make these on the fly, provided you have wood. The Water Candle can be placed or held to increase enemy and critter spawn rates and emits a low amount of light. It is a useful item for farming enemies for rare items due to the increased spawn rates.
Note that the Water Candle does not work to increase spawn rates for certain events, such as the Pumpkin and Frost Moons, or the Goblin and Pirate Invasions. However, it does increase spawn rates during the Blood Moon and Solar Eclipse.
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Create a floating wick from thin plastic
To create a floating wick from thin plastic, you will need the following:
- An empty plastic drink bottle (with five humps on the bottom)
- A craft knife or small sharp knife
- A glass or other suitable container
- Food colouring
- Short, 3/4-inch wicks (these can be purchased, made from cotton yarn, or taken from tea candles)
- Cooking oil (olive oil is recommended)
- Water
Firstly, use the craft knife to carefully drill a hole in the centre of the bottle bottom. Be careful not to push too hard, as you only want to create a hole in the bottom, not cut through the plastic. The result should be a piece that looks like a flower with five petals. This will be your floating wick holder. Test the floater by dropping it into a glass or bowl of water to ensure it floats evenly.
Next, insert the wick into the floater, leaving about half an inch of the wick sticking up above the top of the floater. Prepare your chosen container by filling it about three-quarters full with water. Add a few drops of food colouring if desired, then pour in about a quarter-inch of oil and place the floater with the wick on top. Allow the wick to sit for a few minutes before lighting it. The candle will burn until the wick comes into contact with the water under the oil.
You can also make the wick itself from a variety of materials. Pipe cleaners, cotton balls, waxed dental floss, and wooden strips can all be used as wicks. If using a pipe cleaner, wrap one end around a pencil to form a circle, then cut the other end to the desired length, dipping it in candle wax. For wooden wicks, soak a balsa wood stick in olive oil for 20 minutes, then attach it to a metal wick tab. Wooden dowels and thin strips of untreated wood like oak, cherry, and birch can also be used.
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Add oil to the container
To craft a water candle, you will need to add oil to the container. The type of oil you use is up to you; canola oil, olive oil, and sunflower oil are all great options. You can even use lamp oil from a craft store. The amount of oil you use will depend on the size of your jar. For most jars, you will need around 2 to 3 tablespoons (30 to 45 milliliters) of oil. If you want your candle to burn for longer, opt for a taller, narrower vase so that you can use more oil. Approximately 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) of oil will burn for up to 2 hours.
When adding oil to the container, leave around 1 inch (2.5 cm) of space at the top of the jar. This will ensure that the oil layer is thick enough and prevent the wick from touching the water and extinguishing. The oil may mix into the water at first, but it will float to the top. If you are using decorations, make sure that the oil layer is at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) away from them.
You can also add essential oils or candle scents to your water candle to create a pleasant fragrance. Just a few drops will be enough to scent the entire candle.
Remember to check the water and oil levels regularly, as the water will evaporate over time, even when the candle is not in use. Adjust the levels as needed, adding more water if the oil layer becomes too thin or if it is too close to the decorations.
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Decorate your water candle
Decorating your water candle is simple and fun. Firstly, choose a glass container for your candle. You can use a simple mason jar, or get creative with a small fishbowl or wine glass. If you want to fill your candle with more decorations, opt for a tall, narrow vase.
Now, it's time to fill your container. Start by pouring water into the jar, leaving one inch (2.5 cm) of space at the top. This will ensure you have enough room for the oil. Next, add your decorations. Glass marbles are a great option and can be found in the floral section of an arts and crafts store. Fill the bottom of your jar with marbles, but don't fill it more than a third of the way.
For a unique touch, try adding a few drops of essential oil to your candle. You can find candle scents at your local craft store or use your own essential oils.
Finally, assemble your candle by adding the oil. Canola oil, olive oil, and sunflower oil are all great choices. Pour in the oil until it's about one-third to one-half inch (0.85 to 1.27 cm) deep. And that's it! You've decorated your water candle.
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