Making Candles…

So it’s a rainy day here at Fishtail Cottage and I’ve been collecting craft ideas for when I have a day like to today to just play…

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IMG_2929Curious if anyone else has been saving up all that extra candle wax that is left over in your candles after the wick has been burned out?  I have a whole cabinet stuffed with jars with just a little candle wax left over. 

I’ve purchased some pretty expensive candles from time to time, and I hate throwing them away ~ so I figured if I save enough, maybe I can melt down what I have and use re-melt the wax and make a new candle.

IMG_2930Using a butter knife, I emptied the jars of the candle wax into a pan that I picked up for .99 cents at the thrift store.

Being my first time trying to do this, I didn’t want to spend a lot of money in case I failed..I used a 40% coupon at Michaels for the new wicks and rusty food cans that I’ve been using outside for flowers now and then.

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Wrapping the wick around a pencil to hold it in place when I filled the cans was an awesome idea.  it worked great because I didn’t purchase the special stickers that was suggested.

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Not sure what I was doing, I decided that melting wax might be like melting chocolate and thought the idea of a double boiler was worth a try. Like chocolate, I continuously stirred until all of the wax was melted.

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Once melted, I carefully poured into the cans that I had prepped before melting the wax.  A little disappointed that the amount of wax I had only made enough to fill two and a half 8 oz cans.

 

 

 

 

 

While the wax hardened, I cut paper to fit around the cans!

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Once the side of the cans were cold to the touch I adhered the paper by using modge podge. and using rubber bands to hold the paper in place. 

 

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After the paper dried, I decided that my candle project still needed more. So I went to my Pinterest Ephemera page and printed a few pretty pictures that I have saved. Again, using modge podge to adhere the pictures and rubber bands to keep the prints in place until dry. 

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Once dry, it still felt to “put together” and formal, so I sanded the edges of the print and then distressed it using a water base stain.

 

 

 

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I really love how these turned out! My favorite part of this project is the curly cue wick that I left at the top.  What do you think?  IMG_3002I had a lot of fun and plan to make more in the future! Who knows, maybe I might even sell them eventually in my Etsy Store?  Thanks so much for coming by today!  

To see where else I am linking to this week – please check my “Cottage Links” label…xoxo, tracie

PS – Follow Fishtail Cottage on Facebook / Pinterest

Comments

acorn hollow said…
they are so sweet I am sure they would sell
Cathy
Shannon said…
They turned out so pretty! These would make great gifts :)
farmhouse-story said…
very cute project--tfs, tracy:) i know they would sell!
Kathy said…
How wonderful, I have lots and lots of used candles you have inspired me. Thanks, now I just need rain. Kathy
I remelt and redo candles all the time - and now have both my daughters doing it...expensive candles can certainly be made into new ones!

I do it a little differently, but I sure love your artistically beautiful reuse of cans - love your graphics, looks AWESOME!!
love that beautiful craft paper around the cans.....
They look absolutely great! You could definitely put them on Etsy!
Lindac said…
What a wonderful idea. I save all the left over bits from my Yankee candles, now I know what to do with them!
Thank you for sharing this

Linda
Unknown said…
I absolutely love them, Tracie. And, and, and.....I headed over to your Pinterest board and found so much inspiration I can't begin to list all the projects I want to do. Wow.
Spittin-Toad said…
Wow...They are truly beautiful! I had to pin them for later! :)
Denise
These look great! I never would have thought to use a pencil to hold the wicks! Great idea! I love the curly wicks too. :) Don't you love mod podge? I just used it yesterday when I made a picture frame for my pet kitty. :)
Now I've heard of saving a lot of things but never the wax from old candles! But what a great idea. Now I'm guessing you have some one-of-a-kind scents in those cute can candles! It's rainy and cold here today so I'm FINALLY getting some crafting done! Have a whole cupboard of "projects" in my workroom.
I do the same thing ... save the wax, but I have yet to melt it down into new candles. Thanks for reminding me what's stored out of sight in my cupboard! Your candles look great with the distressed finish, and I like the curly wick (but would be tempted to trim it down before lighting it). Enjoy your day! Wendy :)
Terri said…
This is a wonderful project for a rainy day and for using up candle wax. Your new candles have a pretty vintage look. I love the way you decorated them too.
Hugs,
Terri
How lovely! And there's nothing better than a good repurposed project. I'd love if you'd come share at my first ever link party http://organized31.blogspot.com/2013/05/inspire-us-thursday-link-party-1.html
Sea Angels said…
A really beautiful and creative idea, so inspiring.
xxx Hugs Lynn xx
Nice hostess gifts Tracie! And, I like the curly wicks too.
Judith
mail4rosey said…
These came out nice, and the details right down to the curly cue wicks are really great. Thanks for sharing. :)

I'm visiting today from Thursday's Favorite Things.
Unknown said…
Un bellissimo progetto da realizzare!
Bellalullo
The Tablescaper said…
I host a weekly link party called "Seasonal Sundays". This week, in honor of my fourth blog-a-versary, I'm having a giveaway of a $100.00 gift certificate to HomeGoods/TJ Maxx. I'd love to have you join the fun!

- The Tablescaper
These are awesome! And I love the curly cue too!
Kathy said…
What a lovely, inspiring rainy day project! So very creative - love the added ephemera! Cool idea, Tracye, I am so Delighted that you shared with A Return to Loveliness,
Kathy
ornate splendor said…
This project is fantastic! Love the use of left over wax. Love the way you sanded and distressed them - great transformation! Catherine (new follower)
What a perfect rainy day project Tracie. They look fabulous. Thank you for sharing this at Shabbilicious Friday.

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