How to Make Grubby Jar Candles

Use glass canning jars for candles to show the variations in wax lamination.

"Grubby," a widely used term in primitive-style decor, refers to candles or other decorative items that have been made to look aged and dirty or messy. The wax of grubby jar candles does not fully laminate against the glass of the jars like most candles do. This gives it an irregular and grubby look, as if the candles are old and some spots have melted or shrunk away from the glass. These decorative primitive-style candles can be made at home for a fraction of the price they are sold for in flea markets and craft shows.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Double boiler
• 1 lb. paraffin container wax
• Large metal spoon
• Wax dye blocks
• Candle scent oil
• Candy or wax thermometer
• Trivet
• Pre-tabbed wicks
• Hot-glue gun
• 16 ounce glass canning jar
• Pencil

1. Fill the bottom half of a double boiler pan halfway with water.

2. Place the pan on a stove over medium heat and place the top half of the double boiler over the bottom half, to rest inside of it, just below the lip.

3. Place 1 lb. paraffin container wax into the top half of the double boiler and allow it to fully melt.

4. Cut a wax coloring block into five pieces and add one piece to the wax. Stir it until it melts, with a large metal spoon. Add more color blocks if desired.

5. Pour 1 oz. of a candle scent oil into the wax. Stir it in with the metal spoon.

6. Insert the rod end of a candy or wax thermometer into the wax to test the temperature. Once it reaches 160 degrees, remove the top half of the double boiler and rest it on a trivet.

7. Allow the wax to cool in the double boiler until a thick, pudding-like film forms on the top.

8. Stir the film into the rest of the wax with your spoon and allow it to cool slightly longer to develop a second layer of film.

9. Apply a dot of hot glue to the bottom of the tab at the end of a pre-tabbed wick. Press the glued end into the center of the inside bottom of a 16-oz. jar. Use a pencil to guide and press the tab if the jar has a neck that is too narrow for your hand to fit inside comfortably.

10. Spoon the wax into the jar, surrounding the wick completely. Notice that not all of the wax touches the jar.

11. Allow the candle to sit overnight in a cool area of your home before burning it.