Make Oil Lamps

For romantic candle-lit ambiance, oil lamps are an inexpensive and creative alternative to traditional candles. You can make oil lamps at home, using bottles you already have or pick up something interesting from an antique shop or thrift store. Food coloring can also be added to the bottle for a colored effect and frosted glass makes a different kind of glow. With a few simple supplies, you can make these lamps for your own home or to give as an unusual gift.

Things You'll Need

• Glass bottle Metal bottle lid, cork or lamp topper Wick Lamp Oil Needle or ice pick

Instructions

1. Prepare the lid. If your bottle has a metal screw on lid, make a hole in the center with a drill, nail, needle, ice pick or other sharp implement. Do the same for a cork. You can also buy a ceramic lamp topper that already has a hole and probably a wick pre-loaded.

2. Thread the wick through the hole in the lid. You can use a cotton braid wick, or cut a long strip of cotton fabric from a t-shirt or sock to use as a wick.

3. Fill the bottle with oil. You may also fill the bottle 1/2 or 3/4 full with water first. Add food coloring if desired and top it off with oil.

4. Lower the wick slowly into the bottle to let it sink into the oil. Put the lid or topper on.

5. Wait five minutes to let the wick absorb the oil. Light. If the wick burns out, you may need to wait up to an hour for the wick to become completely saturated with oil. Push the wick up a bit and try to light it again.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a clear bottle, you can add rocks, shells, plastic flowers and other decorations to the bottom of the bottle.

• Handle the lamp oil carefully, and don't let it spill. If an oil lamp gets knocked over, the oil can spill out and start a fire quickly.

Resources

• Oil lamp supplies