Jessie Taylor
Pressed flower candles are a great way to bring the outdoors inside and make beautiful gifts for loved ones. They are surprisingly easy to make and can be made inexpensively with a few simple steps. However, it is important to be careful when making candles with flowers, as many people with little training produce unsafe candles. This guide will teach you how to safely make your own stunning pressed flower candles.
Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of flowers | Dried flowers, pressed flowers |
| Type of wax | Soy wax |
| Safety | Keep a careful eye on candles while they burn, never leave unattended |
| Wick | Secure with glue dots or a hot glue gun, hold upright with clothespins or chopsticks |
| Wax preparation | Melt wax in a double boiler, add essential oils at the end, pour wax into container |
| Container | Glass jar or old candle container |
| Flower placement | Sprinkle dried flowers on top, attach pressed flowers to the side with wax |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing flowers for candles
Choosing the right flowers for your candles is an important step in the candle-making process. Not only do the flowers need to look good, but they also need to be safe. It is best to use dried flowers for candles, as fresh flowers can be dangerous. Thicker flowers, leaves, and other plant materials may not adhere well and could be a safety hazard when burned. Therefore, opt for thin-petaled blossoms as they dry quickly and are safer for attaching to candles.
When gathering flowers, it is best to do so late in the morning, after the dew has evaporated, so the plants are dry but still fresh. Try to use a mix of colours, flower types, sizes, and greenery. If you don't have access to fresh flowers, you can order dried flowers online.
Lavender buds are a great option for candles as they retain their purple colour and are known for their relaxing and soothing properties. However, it is recommended to keep the lavender buds away from the wick to avoid releasing their scent when burned. Instead, you can add lavender essential oil to the candle.
You can also add other solid objects to your candle, such as crystals, seashells, and beach glass, as long as they are kept away from the wick.
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Preparing flowers for candles
If you're using dried flowers, you can buy a set of different types of dried flowers online. You can also dry fresh flowers yourself by gathering plant material late in the morning, after the dew has evaporated, so that the plants are dry but still fresh. You can use the book method or a flower press to dry your flowers.
If you're using pressed flowers, choose colourful, thin-petaled blossoms as they dry quickly and are safer for attaching to candles. Thicker flowers could pose a safety risk when burned.
When preparing dried flowers for candles, it's important to note that you should not crush them and add them to the wax, as this could be dangerous. Instead, you can sprinkle the dried flowers on top of the wax, or layer them by pouring wax in layers and letting each layer cool before adding more flowers and another layer of wax.
To prepare pressed flowers for candles, melt the wax in a double boiler or using a tabletop candle teapot warmer with an aluminium container. Once the wax is melted, use tweezers to grab a pressed flower and place it on the side of the candle. Hold it in place with your thumb and dip a brush into the melted wax, gently dabbing around the edges of the flower to secure it. Continue adding flowers, working at different heights to create a multi-dimensional design.
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Preparing wax for candles
Measuring and Melting the Wax
First, you need to measure out the amount of wax required, depending on the size and number of containers or moulds you will be using. A simple way to do this is to fill your container with water, measure the amount, and round up to the nearest 10ml. Then, deduct 20% to get the number of grams of wax needed, as wax is less dense than water. For example, if you have 500ml of water, you will need 400 grams of wax.
Next, melt the wax. This can be done using a double boiler or bain-marie. Fill a large pot or saucepan halfway with water and place it on the stove. Put your wax in a smaller heat-resistant container, then place this container into the pot of water. Ensure the wax is not receiving direct heat and that the water does not enter the wax container. Bring the water to a boil, being careful to avoid a rolling boil, as this may cause splattering. Stir the wax with a wooden spatula as it melts.
Adding Colour and Fragrance
Once the wax has melted, you can add colour and fragrance. If using wax dye, add a little at a time until you achieve the desired colour. For fragrance, use essential or fragrance oils. Add these oils gradually and stir gently to avoid creating air pockets. Be cautious not to make the scent too strong, as it can be overwhelming when the candle is burned. You can also add UV stabilizer to the wax at this stage to prevent the colour from fading due to UV exposure.
Pouring the Wax
Before pouring, check the temperature guidelines for your wax to ensure it is at the correct temperature for pouring. If the wax is too cool, simply return it to the heat source to warm it up. When ready, carefully pour the wax into your prepared containers or moulds. Ensure your wicks are secured and upright before pouring. You can use glue dots, a hot glue gun, or wax itself to secure the wicks.
Setting and Finishing
Allow the candles to set for 24 hours. After a few hours, check for any holes or imperfections and fill them with additional melted wax. Once fully set, use scissors or a wick trimming tool to trim the wicks to about 5mm. Longer wicks will create a larger flame, but any excess will usually burn away. Now your candles are ready to be enjoyed!
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Adding flowers to wax
Adding flowers to candles is a fun and easy project that can bring the outdoors inside and make for a thoughtful gift. It is important to be careful when making candles, as some candle-making techniques can be unsafe. For example, adding whole flowers or pinecones to a candle can be a fire hazard. Instead, opt for dried flowers or pressed flowers, which are safer for attaching to candles.
To add flowers to wax, start by gathering colourful, thin-petalled blossoms that are dry but still fresh. You can dry your flowers by pressing them in a book or using a flower press. Then, measure out the amount of wax you need, depending on the size and number of containers you will be using. Melt the wax in a double boiler or a tabletop candle teapot warmer with an aluminium container. If you are using essential oils, add them at the end after the wax has slightly cooled.
Secure the candle wick to the bottom of your container using glue dots or a hot glue gun. Make sure the wick is held upright, using clothespins or chopsticks. Before pouring the wax into your container, you can decorate your candle by attaching flowers to the outside. Using tweezers, grab a pressed flower and place it on the side of the candle. Hold it in place with your thumb and dip a brush into the melted wax, gently dabbing around the edges of the flower to secure it. Once the flower is attached, spread the wax gently on top of it until it is flat and secure.
After decorating your candle, pour the wax into your container, leaving about a quarter of an inch of space at the top. Sprinkle in your dried flowers and/or herbs. You can also pour the wax in layers if you want to layer the flowers. Let the wax thicken and cool before applying additional layers. Finally, allow the candle to cool slowly at room temperature, then trim the wick to a quarter to half an inch.
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Safety tips for candles with flowers
Candles with flowers embedded in them can be a potential fire hazard and may fail fire safety tests. The flowers are flammable and can cause secondary ignition, potentially setting fire to objects around the candle. They can also be a source of mould. Here are some tips to ensure safety when making and using candles with flowers:
Use Dried Flowers
Only use dried flowers for your candles. Fresh flowers will retain moisture and won't dry properly when surrounded by wax.
Break Up the Flowers
Break up the flowers or herbs into small pieces. Avoid large petals and pieces. Small flower pieces are less likely to float into the flame and cause a fire.
Keep Flowers Away from the Wick
Place the flowers away from the centre of the wick so they don't come into contact with the flame. A clear, wide container allows you to see the petals better and provides more room between the flowers and the wick.
Don't Overdo It
Less is more when it comes to adding flowers to your candle. Don't add so many flowers that they clog the wick or stick out of the wax.
Never Leave Unattended
Never leave a candle with flowers unattended. Always keep a careful eye on your candles while they burn and extinguish them before leaving the room or going to bed.
Catch Debris
Place your candle on a plate or dish to catch any debris from the flowers.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can safely burn candles with flowers in them. However, it is important to exercise caution as many candle makers with little training may not know how to do this safely.
Choose colourful, thin-petaled blossoms as they dry quickly and are safer for attaching to candles. Thicker flowers could pose a safety risk when burned.
Using tweezers, grab a pressed flower and place it on the side of the candle. Dip your brush into the melted wax and gently dab around the edges of the flower to secure it. Avoid adding thick layers of wax.
Measure out the amount of wax you need and melt it in a double boiler. Secure the candle wick to the bottom of your container. Pour the wax into your container. Sprinkle in the dried flowers.
