How to Make Scented Candles in Mason Jars

Scented jar candles are a decorative way to add aroma and ambient lighting to your home. The jar candles can be found in a variety of colors, sizes and scents in the home decor departments of many stores. However, by making your own scented candle jars, you can add your own distinctive colors and scents and save money. Make several jars and give them as gifts to friends and family or make them to sell at craft fairs and bazaars.

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Saucepan
Tin can
Oven (optional)
Hair dryer (optional)
1 lb. candle wax, cut into chunks
Candy or candle-making thermometer
Candle dye
2 16-oz. Mason jars
2 Wicks
Pencil
Oven mitt
Wooden spoon or skewer
Essential oils
Toothpick

Instructions

- 1
  
  Put an inch or two of water in the bottom of a saucepan and heat to a low simmer.
- 2
  
  Bend a lip on the top of a tin can to create a pouring spout. Alternatively, use a candle-making pitcher to melt the wax.
- 3
  
  Warm the jars. Place several in an oven set no higher than 100 degrees or use a hair dryer to warm them.
- 4
  
  Break up the block of wax into small chunks by slamming it inside a zippered plastic bag against brick or concrete or cutting with a serrated knife.
- 5
  
  Place the chunks of wax into the can or pitcher, filling no more than 3/4 full. Melt the wax, stirring with the wooden spoon to dissolve. Bring the temperature of the wax to 180 degrees, checking often with the thermometer.
- 6
  
  Add candle wax dye according to package directions. Dissolve the dye completely, stirring with the spoon until the color is uniform throughout the wax. Use adequate dye to reach an intense color, as the wax color cubes appear darker than they will be once dissolved.
- 7
  
  Cool the melted and dyed wax about one minute, bringing the temperature to 140 degrees, and then add the essential oil of your choice. Add a few drops at a time, stirring and testing the fragrance, until you reach the desired strength. Stir well to blend through the oil.
- 8
  
  Place the wick into the prepared jar. Use wicks that are at least one inch longer than the height of the jar. Tie one end of the wick around a pencil and lay the pencil across the top of the jar.
- 9
  
  Place on a pair of oven mitts, pull the can from the water and pour the melted wax into the jar slowly to avoid creating air bubbles. Hold the pencil in place when pouring. Divide the wax between the jars, leaving some in the can to top off the cooled candles. Let the candles cool.
- 10
  
  Reheat the reserved wax in the can. As the candles cool, the wax will leave a depression around the wick. You can fill in this area with the leftover wax. Poke one or two holes in the top of the candle near the wick to release any air bubbles. Pour the reheated wax around the wick to level out the original top of the candle. Allow cooling.
- 11
  
  Trim the wick to 1/4-inch from the top of the candle before burning.

Tips & Warnings

Clean and dry the can for melting the wax and the Mason jars before beginning. Freeze and pop out any remnants of wax in jars you are reusing.
Use smaller sized and different shaped Mason jars for the candles.
Avoid letting the jars cool too quickly, as this causes the wax to shrink. Keep them away from cold drafts or air conditioning vents and cluster several jars together to cool, if possible.
Do not use saucepans, spoons or knives for cooking once they have been used for cutting and melting wax.
Do not leave melting wax unattended on the stove.