How to Make Candles in Fruit Jars

All natural soy wax is becoming popular for making homemade candles.

Making your own candles is a fun and rewarding hobby. You can use your candles around your home, give them as gifts or even start your own business. Poured candles are typically made from paraffin wax, but all natural soy wax is gaining popularity. You can mix your own scents using essential oils or buy pre-mixed candle oils. You can also buy colored wax, or mix your own. The possibilities are endless and the process is surprisingly simple

Things You'll Need

• Crock pot or double boiler
• Thermometer
• Glue
• Wax (soy or paraffin)
• Mason jar
• Wick
• Essential oils or candle oils
• Food coloring

Instructions

1. Prepare the jar. Pre-tabbed wicks are perfect for glass jars. Affix the wick to the bottom of the jar with a dot of glue, then place the jar in your oven. Heating the jar on the lowest setting in your oven will help the wax adhere to the glass.

2. Melt the wax. If you have a big block of wax, be sure to cut it up first. If you have wax chips just pour them into the double boiler or crock pot. You'll probably use between a quarter and a half a pound of wax, depending on how big your jars are. Heat the wax to 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius).

3. Add scented oils. Once the wax reaches 160 degrees, add in the scented oils and mix thoroughly.

4. Add in coloring. If you're using it, add in the food coloring and mix thoroughly.

5. Pour the wax. Carefully poor the wax into the jar and center the wick. The wick should be stiff enough to stand up on its own, but once the candle has cooled enough to leave a crust on the top you'll be able to center it properly. Reserve a small amount of wax for later use.

6. Set aside to cool. Cool the candle to room temperature, this could take as long as six hours. During the cooling process the wax will settle and sink in the center of the candle. This is normal.

7. Reheat the reserved wax. Reheat to 185 degrees Fahrenheit (85 degrees Celsius) and pour over the top of the cooled candle. Pour just enough to fill the depression and reach the edges of the glass.

8. Let cool. Let the remaining wax cool and trim the wick.

Tips & Warnings

• If you prefer richer colors in your candles, try adding crayons to the wax during the first melt.

• During the initial heating, be sure not to let the temperature of the wax exceed 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius). Because of the large amount of wax, overheating can increase the risk of fire.

References

• Scented Soy Wax Candles: How to Make Candles
• Pioneer Thinking: Candle Making
• The Farm: How to Make Candles