Winter Crafts: DIY Candles

In winter, we tend to feel the need to snuggle in the coziness of our homes. Crafts are an excellent way to pass the time productively, bond with other family members like a daughter who is home from dorm or on winter break from school. If you are passing through a stressful time, or have the winter blues, crafts might prove more healing than negatively watching TV. We have today part one which is on DIY (do-it-yourself) candles; how warm and lovely!





Of course you can purchase candles from variety of stores, but they will not have your personal touch. Besides, you can use items that already belong to you and in this way recycle them into new usages, especially if they a have a unique memory to you.


1- Beeswax metal tin or jar candles
   
Material needed:
- Beeswax
- Candle wicks with a metal base
- Double-stick adhesive
- Essential oils (optional for scent)
- Wax pouring pot
- Thermometer
- Skewers
- Jars or metal tins

Method: (To see more detailed steps click here)

   

1. Melt wax until it is almost 145 degrees. Add essential oil if you prefer a certain odor like lavender (1 gram of oil per 1 lb of wax) or stick with the beeswax natural scent. 

2. Using double-stick adhesive, adhere the wicks to the bottom of the metal tin or jar and tie up as in the picture so it stays in that shape after you pour wax.   

3. Pour wax in tins and jars. Wait till it hardens then use. Be careful not to splash.

2- Teacup candles:

Material needed:
- Old tea cups you have like ones you bought from a thrift store or ones that have chips and you can't use for tea
- Candle wicks with a metal base
- Hot glue gun
- Soy candle wax
- Candle scent (optional)
- Scissors
- Wax paper to keep the candle wax off your table or the surface you are working on
 



Method (similar to previous method):


1. Line counter with wax paper for protection. Line cups.

2. Melt the wax.

3. Place candle wicks in each cup using glue.

4. Pour the wax into each cup making sure the wick stays up (see step 2 above).

5. Let cool. Cut extra wick threads.      

 




3- Tin box candles:

- You will need tin boxes like the one in the picture. Use same material and steps from previous 2 methods. It is pretty much easy once you get the hang of it and then you can also experiment. There are detailed steps here as well for this last method.






Sources:
She Knows Living: http://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/1006545/12-diy-projects-for-candles
Methods from:
1- The Sweetest Occasion: http://www.thesweetestoccasion.com/2013/05/how-to-make-beeswax-candles/
2- Apple Brides: http://applebrides.com/2013/03/07/diy-teacup-candles/
3- Design Sponge: http://www.designsponge.com/2010/11/diy-project-ashleys-vintage-tin-candles.html  

Images: 
Each method's images are from its source.
- http://www.thesweetestoccasion.com/2013/05/how-to-make-beeswax-candles/
- http://applebrides.com/2013/03/07/diy-teacup-candles/
- http://www.designsponge.com/2010/11/diy-project-ashleys-vintage-tin-candles.html