How to Make an Oil Lamp

Oil lamps are beautiful and functional. They burn slower than candles and work well during power outages. Oil lamps are also refillable. There are many scented oils available to freshen the air while it is lit. Read on to learn how to make an oil lamp.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Glass bottle or vase
• Ceramic top, cork or bottle cap
• Ice pick or knife
• Wick
• Lamp oil

1. Find or buy a glass bottle or vase. Anything with a small mouth like a liquor or soda bottle works well for these lamps.

2. Wash the bottle thoroughly. Allow it to dry.

3. Purchase a top for the lamp. Find a ceramic wick holders at most craft stores. Another option is to use a corks or metal bottle cap. If you are using a cork or metal top, poke a hole in it with an ice pick or knife.

4. Thread the wick through the hole in the top. Leave 1/4- to 1/2-inch of wick poking out of the top. Purchase a wick at any craft store. To save money, use a 1-inch strip cut from an oil sock or a T-shirt as the wick.

5. Fill the bottle with lamp oil.

6. Drop the wick into the bottle and secure the top. Ceramic tops sit on the top of the bottle instead of being secured inside like a cork.

7. Allow the wick to soak up the oil for 2 to 3 minutes before lighting the lamp.

Tips & Warnings

• Place silk flowers, beads or other decorations in the lamp to make it more decorative.
• Make an oil lamp any size, shape or color you choose. Use different bottles to create different looks.