How to Make a Homemade Candle From Different Things in the House

Add a candle's glow from your own household items.

Candles add a touch of warmth to almost any decor, but finding one that best finishes your room can be difficult and expensive. You can create a one-of-a-kind design from things you already have around the house and know that it is the perfect touch for your home.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard milk carton, rinsed and thoroughly dried
• Ice pick
• Kitchen twine
• Masking tape
• Pencil
• Double boiler
• Paraffin
• Crayon
• Ice

Instructions

1. Make a small hole in the bottom of the carton with an ice pick.

2. Thread about 1 inch of the twine's end through the hole. Tape it to the bottom of the carton with a masking tape "X."

3. Pull the twine to the top of the carton. Wrap it around the pencil three or four times, keeping the rest of the length taut. Cut it from to the ball and tape it to the pencil.

4. Lay the pencil across the top of the carton, keeping the twine taut. Wrap it a little more, if necessary.

5. Add paraffin to the top pan of the double boiler and water to the bottom. Heat the pan over medium heat until the wax just begins to melt.

6. Reduce the heat and add a piece of crayon to color the melting wax.

7. Fill the milk carton with ice once the wax has completely melted. Be sure the twine stays centered and the pencil rests on top of the carton.

8. Pour the wax into the carton carefully. You may want to set the carton in a pan or the sink in case of spills.

9. Allow the wax to cool and harden completely. While the time required will vary with the size of the carton and room temperature, allow at least one hour and possibly longer.

10. Pour the water from the melted ice out of the carton.

11. Hold the carton over the sink and tear it away from the wax carefully to reveal your lacy candle.

Tips & Warnings

• The wax will dry darker than it appears in the pan, so judge the amount of crayon to add accordingly.

• Never leave wax unattended while it is over heat.

References

• Imagitek: Ice Candles
• ice-candles/ Lone Star Candle Supply: How to Make Ice Candles
• Disney Family Fun: Ice Candle