Jessie Taylor
Creating candles is a fun and simple way to personalize your home decor or create unique gifts for friends and family. You can use almost any vessel that can withstand heat, such as mason jars, teacups, or jelly jars. The process is straightforward and involves melting wax, adding scents and colours, centering a wick, and pouring the wax into the jar. You can even add decorations like shells or glitter to make your candle stand out. Once the wax has set, you can trim the wick and decorate the jar to your liking. Making jar candles is an enjoyable and creative project that allows you to customize your candles according to your preferences.
Characteristics and their values for creating jar candles:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Container | Mason jars, glass jars, teacups, tin cans, etc. |
| Wax | Soy wax, beeswax, gel wax |
| Wick | Pre-tabbed candle wicks, wooden dowels, pencils, clothes pins |
| Glue | Hot glue gun, super glue |
| Pot | Metal mixing bowl, glass measuring cup, candle pourer, saucepan, double boiler |
| Temperature | Wax melting temperature: 185 °F (85 °C); Wax pouring temperature: 120 °F (49 °C) |
| Add-ons | Essential oils, fragrance oils, dried herbs, shells, glitter |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right wax
Wax Type
The type of wax you choose will depend on the form of candle you want to make, the kind of wax you prefer to use, and the level of difficulty of the project. For jar candles, you can use wax types such as soy wax, gel wax, beeswax, or paraffin wax. Soy wax is a popular choice for jar candles as it is non-toxic, biodegradable, and derived from soybeans. It has a longer burn time, produces less black soot, and is often preferred by consumers who value natural products. Beeswax is another natural option for jar candles, providing a solid colour and scent. Paraffin wax has a clearer, smoother appearance and holds colour well, resulting in vibrant candles.
Environmental Impact
If you are concerned about the environmental impact of your candle-making, you may want to choose a natural wax such as soy, beeswax, or coconut wax. Soy wax, in particular, is biodegradable and non-carcinogenic, making it a popular eco-friendly choice.
Texture and Colour
The texture and colour of your candle will also depend on the type of wax you choose. Soy wax, for example, tends to form a bumpy, uneven top when it cools, and it may develop a whitish coating called frosting. Paraffin wax, on the other hand, has a smoother finish and holds colour well, resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing candle.
Scent Strength
If scent strength is important to you, consider using soy wax, which is known for its impressive cold throw, providing a light scent even when the candle is not lit. However, keep in mind that adding fragrances to soy wax can sometimes change its texture, making it softer.
By considering these factors and choosing the right wax for your jar candles, you will be able to create beautiful and personalised candles that meet your desired outcome.
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Preparing the jar
To prepare your jar for candle-making, you'll need to ensure you have the right type of jar and prepare your workspace.
First, select a thick, heat-proof jar. You can use a mason jar, a glass jam jar, or a tin can. The jar should be high-rimmed to prevent the wax from pulling away from the sides of the glass, which can cause unsightly lines and bubbles.
Before you begin, protect your workspace by putting down newspaper or paper towels. You'll also want to keep a pot just for making candles, as the wax will be difficult to remove.
Next, clean your jar to ensure you have a smooth surface to work with. Remove the inner seal of the mason jar lid, if there is one, and wipe the inside of the jar.
Now, trim your wick so that it's a few inches taller than your jar. You can use a hot glue gun or glue tab to stick the metal disc to the centre of the bottom of the jar. If you're using a wide-mouthed jar, you might want to use two wicks to ensure the candle burns evenly. To keep the wick upright, use a clothespin, mechanical pencil, or a chopstick.
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Adding decorations
Once you've made your candle, you can decorate the jar to give it a unique and personalised touch. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Glitter
Add a bit of sparkle to your candle by sprinkling fine glitter into the jar before pouring in the wax. This will give your candle a shimmering, glamorous look. You can also add glitter to the outside of the jar, or use a combination of glitter and other decorations.
Shells
If you want to create a beachy, coastal vibe, shells are a perfect addition to your candle. Place the shells in the jar before pouring in the wax, or use gel wax to suspend the shells within the candle itself. You can also use other beach-themed decorations, such as sand or sea glass, to create a unique and personalised candle.
Twine and Greenery
For a rustic or natural look, try wrapping twine or string around the jar and tying it in a bow. You can also add a small sprig of greenery, such as pine or eucalyptus, to the bow for a touch of colour and texture.
Spices
If you're making a scented candle, you can enhance the fragrance by sprinkling spices into the wax as it's cooling. Cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice will not only add scent but also create a beautiful, textured look within the candle.
Dried Flowers or Herbs
Another natural decoration option is to use dried flowers or herbs. You can add dried petals, leaves, or herbs to the wax before it cools, or glue them to the outside of the jar for a more subtle effect.
When decorating your jar candles, the key is to be creative and experiment with different materials and textures. You can also combine multiple decorations to create a truly unique and personalised candle that complements your home decor.
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Melting the wax
Once you have chosen your wax, measure out the desired amount. A helpful tip is to fill your chosen jar twice with wax flakes and pour the contents into your candle-pouring pot. You can use a variety of pots to melt your wax, such as a medium-sized glass or metal mixing bowl, a tall glass measuring cup, or a candle pourer. It is important to note that the wax will be difficult to remove from the pot, so it is recommended to have a separate pot just for candle-making.
To melt the wax, start by preheating your jar to ensure it is completely dry. Place your jar on a baking sheet and put it in the oven at the lowest heat setting for 5-10 minutes. This step helps prevent moisture from mixing with the melted wax, which can ruin your candle.
Now, you can begin melting your wax. Place your candle-pouring pot over low heat and stir the wax flakes continuously. It should take about 10-15 minutes for the wax to melt completely, and it is crucial to ensure that the wax does not boil. The natural state of the wax will be an off-white colour, and you can add dye to achieve your desired colour.
Once your wax is melted, you can proceed to the next steps of candle-making, such as preparing the wick and adding fragrance.
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Pouring and setting
Now that you have your supplies ready, it's time to start pouring and setting your jar candle!
First, measure out your wax flakes. A good rule of thumb is to fill your chosen jar twice with wax flakes. Place these in your candle pouring pot. If you're using a gel wax, you can add any desired accessories, such as shells or flowers, at this stage. If you're using a different type of wax, you can add dyes or blocks of colour at this stage. Place the candle pouring pot over low heat and stir the flakes until they turn completely liquid. This should take around 10 to 15 minutes. It's important not to let the wax boil. If you're making a scented candle, allow the wax to cool slightly before adding fragrance or essential oils.
Next, prepare your jar. If you're using a glue gun, apply a small amount of glue to the metal collar of the wick and press it into the centre of the inside bottom of your jar. Hold it in place for a few seconds until the glue dries. Alternatively, use a self-adhesive wick sticker. If you're using a wide-mouthed jar, you may want to use two wicks so that the candle burns more evenly. You can use a strip of tape, a dowel, a pencil, or a chopstick to keep the wick upright and centred while you pour.
Now, it's time to pour! Slowly and carefully pour the melted wax into your prepared jar. If you're making a gel wax candle, you may want to pour in layers, adding different colours or accessories with each layer and allowing each layer to dry before adding the next. Leave the wax to cool and solidify. This will take around 20 minutes or longer.
Finally, once the wax has set, trim the wick to ensure your candle burns evenly. Trim the wick to around 1/2 inch above the top of the candle. If you're using a metal jar rim, you can replace it now. Your jar candle is now ready to burn or gift!
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a jar, wax (beeswax or soy wax flakes), a wick, a pot, essential oil or fragrance oil for a scent, and a stove-top.
Protect your workspace by putting down newspaper or paper towels to make cleanup easier and prevent unwanted wax drips.
Preheat your jar for 5-10 minutes to completely dry it. Remove the inner seal of the jar lid and wipe the inside of the jar to ensure a clean surface.
Heat water in a saucepan and put the wax in a pouring pot over the heated water. When the wax is melted, remove it from the heat and let it cool for 5 minutes. Add your dye and fragrance.
Place a glue dot on the bottom of the wick and centre it in the middle of the jar. Slowly pour the liquid wax into the jar, holding the wick in place. Let the wax dry for 20-30 minutes.
Trim the wick to ensure the candle burns evenly. You can decorate your jar as you like, or leave it plain.
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