How to Make Ice Cube Candles

My son used to make these striking candles back in the seventies. I think it's a craft that's worth bringing back. The finished candle looks quite sculptural, but they're really pretty easy to make. Here's how to do it.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• cardboard milk carton
• candle wax
• a single candle (or wicking)
• ice cubes
• a double boiler

1. 

   Start with a clean cardboard milk carton, the quart-sized ones. Open the top so it's square all the way up. Once you've made a few of these, try it with the larger milk cartons.

2. 

   Heat the wax until it's liquidfied. This is what you use the double boiler for. The wax chunks go in the top and the water goes down below. You can also use one of those candlemaking machines to melt the wax.

3. Place a wick (tied to a cross bar) in the center. The cross bar will rest on the top of the milk carton. The wick needs to go all the way to the bottom. Tie a flat washer to the bottom of the wick to give it weight and make it stay straight.

4. Pour in a layer of wax to form the bottom of the candle. Let it set slightly. This gives it a solid base. Keep the wick as straight as possible.

5. 

   Pour the melted wax into the milk carton, then drop in the ice cubes. Don't splash the hot wax.
   The ice cubes will melt, but they are cold enough to start hardening the wax. There will be interesting crevices and open spaces throughout the candle from the ice.

6. He also added bits & pieces of crayons for unique colors. Don't try to move the candle until it has cooled and the wax has hardened.

7. When the wax was set he poured out the water from the melted ice cubes and tore the box from around his creation. They were so beautiful when lit as the overall candle had holes here and there that let the light shine in so many different ways.

Tips & Warnings

• Use great caution with hot wax as it can burn you badly. I wouldn't work on this project with children around or any distractions.

[evgnspaces]

on 10/12/2009 I remember making ice cube candles. Very fun and easy.

[momose]

on 9/16/2009 Oh, YAYYYYYY! I had forgotten about this idea for icecube candles! I still have one that my son made so many years ago, because it turned out just way too pretty to burn! Thanks, Gail, for a simple yet lovely idea. *****

[betterbody]

on 8/17/2009 Great fun idea to try. This will be good to do with kids also.

[velosity]

on 7/21/2009 Very crafty idea! I think I remember making these myself!

[karileighk]

on 7/9/2009 What a wonderful idea!