Friday, October 17, 2014

Burning Candles

I know I'm not alone when I say I like to burn candles in the house.  Now that fall has arrived (even though we're still sitting at mid 20'C these past weeks!), it gives us all the excuse to light those tapers once again and create a warm ambiance in the evenings.  I light a couple of pillar candles during supper each night to give a cozy glow round the kitchen table.  Even though the temperatures remain warm outdoors, the light is fading fast by 5:30 p.m. here.

But with all this candle burning, eventually the candles won't light anymore once the wick is far down a hole of melted wax.  I've saved the unused portion of candles with the intention of melting them down into new candles eventually.  I recently tackled that business using a tin can set in a pot of boiling water, a waxed milk carton for the mold, some purchased wick and a lot of masking tape.  I ended up with four square(ish) candles just in time for our Thanksgiving dinner.

I don't like having candles sitting directly on wooden funiture, so off to the thrift store where I found perfect clear glass holders for my square candles at only $2 a piece.  I believe these were originally used by florist's shops for small bouquets.  And once I put the candles into the holders, I thought maybe I should get some of those glass beads to add round the bottom of the candles.  But then remembered I had a lot of small collected stones sitting on the patio (I'm a self-confessed rock hound and have rocks and stones all over the place here).  So I rinsed off the stones of bugs and debris and brought them inside and this is what graced our Thanksgiving table ...


I really like the natural stones because they're all from our area and just remind me of sitting by lakes in the summer and fall.  


My daughter and her roommates burn a lot of candles at their house too, so she asked me to make her a candle to take back with her.  I had just enough wax from one last candle to make another for her.



I find the scent is a bit diminished with reusing the wax, but it still casts the same glow.  I also melted several different scented candles together since they were all fairly similar, and they came out fine. With only the cost of the glass holders, I had everything else, and saved myself about $30 by making these myself.  

17 comments:

  1. Fantastic idea. Often, some candles just don't burn evenly and then there's all this wax left but I never knew how to melt them down. Not even sure if I can buy wicks in this country. Yours turned out really nice. You could use some drops of essential oil once the candles melts a little and then there would be a nice aroma. :) Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving. Best wishes, Tammy

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  2. I've thought of trying that too. There's always so much wax left over. I hadn't thought of using a milk container though. Or, using a can to melt the wax in. That's a great idea! They look great! I like how you used those glass containers and rocks to put them in. I like the look of the ones you melted together too but I'm wondering how you handled the wick situation? Did you melt a hole down the middle with a hot ice pick or something and insert a wick and then close it up with melted wax?

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    1. I poked a hole in the bottom of the carton, threaded the wick through and up to the top of the carton, where I taped it around a pencil and that rest across the carton top holding the wick straight up and centred. I taped the bottom end of the wick to the outside bottom of the carton. I used plenty of masking tape over the wick, and also up the "seamed" side of the carton, and also all around the bottom edges of the carton. When I poured melted wax in the top, I just moved the pencil over to one side while I filled the carton and then moved it back when all the wax was poured.

      Also, I saved a little bit of wax to remelt because as the wax cools it leaves hollow around the wick and I filled that up with the reserved wax.

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  3. This is a great idea, I'm burning the candles here too.....cosy autumn nights, candles and crochet blankets! :) xxx

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  4. Such a pretty idea. I love mason jars for this too!

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  5. The candles, holder and pebbles look nice together.. I enjoy lighting candles around the house.. Great idea. Have a happy weekend!

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  6. They came out very nice! Love the gathered rocks, too. Perfect for Thanksgiving and gift giving. Enjoy your weekend! xo Karen

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  7. The candles look nice sitting in the stones, I've used coloured sand before myself.

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  8. Your candle holders are beautiful! I like burning candles as well, and the ones made from beeswax are my very favourite (although I don't use too many, as they are quite pricey).

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  9. Such a great idea to do this . . . one of those things I think about but don't do. Your candle holders with the rocks in them look beautiful. I love to burn candles too. They're so cozy and warm in the evenings.

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  10. Nice candles, and beautiful holders! I'm allergic to most scents, so I don't burn candles, wear perfume, etc.

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  11. Sometimes, simplicity is best! I love these candles/candle holders.

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  12. oh thanks for the idea .... sometimes we use shells instead of rocks for holders. have a lovely sunday !

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  13. A brilliant idea, I hate waste especially when the candle has burned down the middle and there is so much wax left. I have the same holders and have put conkers and acorns in mine with the candle - but making sure they don't burn down to them! Have a great week xx

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  14. What a fabulous idea. They look beautiful.

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