Easy Method for Making Floating Candles

Enhance any decor easily with floating candles.

Floating candle decorations come in many different styles and are versatile enough to use any time of the year. Use them for special occasions such as holidays and romantic evenings, as well as for everyday use such as in the family room and in the bathroom. You can make floating candles in any shape, color and scent combination of your choosing--the possibilities are virtually endless.

Things You'll Need

• 2 qt. sauce pan
• Water
• Standard size pouring pot
• 2 lbs. paraffin wax
• Wooden spoon
• Color chips (specialty wax dye)
• Fragrance oil
• Aluminum foil
• 8 to 10 cookie cutters
• Wick
• Bowl

Instructions

1. 

   Steady heat works best.

   Fill a 2 qt. saucepan 1/3 full of water and boil the water. Turn the heat down to medium and place a standard size pouring pot into the boiling water.

2. 

   Melted wax will have a smooth and consistent texture.

   Add 2 lbs. of paraffin wax slowly to the melting pot. Stir the wax with a wooden spoon until it's all melted.

3. 

   Each color chip colors approximately 1 lb. of wax.

   Mix in the wax-compatible color chips while constantly stirring. Add the chips slowly until you reach the desired color.

4. 

   Pure essential oils work best.

   Add fragrance to the wax and stir the mixture thoroughly.

5. 

   Smaller cookie cutters work best.

   Spread a large sheet of aluminum foil on your counter top. Place eight to 10 cookie cutters on top of the aluminum foil--do not allow any space between the base of the cookie cutters and the counter, through which wax can seep. The cookie cutters must sit flat on the counter. If there is a space under any cookie cutter, do not use it.

6. 

   Insert a wick into a candle mold when the wax is partially cooled.

   Pour the melted wax slowly into the molds.

7. 

   Trim wicks to 1/4 inch before lighting the candles.

   Cool the wax for about three to five minutes, until the consistency is firm enough to keep a wick in place, then insert a wick into each candle. Insert each wick through the entire candle, but not quite all the way to the bottom. Let the candles cool for one to two hours.

8. Push the candles out of their cookie cutter molds and place them in a bowl filled with water.

Tips & Warnings

• Paraffin wax has a melting point of 150 degrees and melts best with a consistent heat source.

• Candles float better when they are wider versus taller.

• Add a few drops of food coloring to the water to enhance the look and match your decor.

• Paraffin wax is highly flammable, so keep the temperature medium or lower.

• Never use food coloring to color candle wax, as the molecules won't bind.

• Don't place the wick through the bottom of the candle or it may not burn.

References

• Martha Stewart: Cookie-Cutter Candles