Thursday, May 23, 2013

DIY Citronella Candles (No Double Boiler, Melting or Hot Wax Required!)

Happy Weekend Eve!

I am so glad that it is finally Thursday. Tomorrow is kind of a fake day at school (parent-teacher conferences, no actual teaching = a break kind of work day!)

Then it is Memorial Day Weekend!

Do you have any plans for the long weekend?

Our plans are pretty relaxed - see a movie, get the tuxes for the wedding, and spend lots and lots of time outside!

Of course, we can't spend any time outside after dark without citronella candles.

And, thanks to pinterest, and this pin, I just had to make my own.

Mine were a little different than the original pin. I didn't have the materials to melt down the wax, but I found these awesome bags of wax crystals that don't need to be melted at Hobby Lobby.

So, without further adieu, here they are...


You will need:
1 bottle of citronella oil (I got mine at Whole Foods)
4 mason jars
3-4 bags of wax
candle wicks
4 large Ziploc bags
1 glue gun
glue stick









Directions:
1. Place a dot of hot glue on the inside of the mason jar, in the center. Quickly put the metal part of the candle wick over it. Repeat for all of the jars.

2. Pour each bag of wax into their own Ziploc bag. Add 20-25 drops of citronella oil to each. Seal and shake the bags. If you have more citronella oil left over, evenly distribute it among the bags. Seal and shake again.

3. Pour the candle wax beads into the jars. You can do all one color in each jar, or you can layer them like sand art. While pouring, try to keep the wick as in the center/straight as possible. Since the candles don't set, you can always wiggle the wick around. A plastic utensil or even a toothpick is good for moving the wax around to where you want it.

4. Cut the wick to about 1/4" above the top of the wax.

5. Light the candles and enjoy!
*NOTE* If you are going to leave your candles outside, I'd put the mason jar cover on them. Mine got all wet from the huge rain storm we had two days after I made them. I mean, they still lit beautifully the next day, but the wax got a little shaken up by that storm.

I loved this craft so much that I actually boxed up all the supplies and sent them, along with these directions, to my mom for Mother's Day!

She loved making them, and here are her beautiful candles:



Do you ever love a craft so much that you just have to pass it on?

6 comments:

Mary Pat Siehl said...

oh those look so awesome - i think i may have to do this for the summer!! great idea

Heather{Our Life In a Click} said...

First off, I love your new blog design!! At least it's new to me! :)
Both sets of candles turned out beautifully! I definitely want to try this! What a great gift idea for your crafty mom!

Jules said...

I really wanted to try this when you pinned it a while back, but I knew with needing a double boiler, that it would probably never happen. Since you have found a way around the DB...I think that I will be giving these a try. Both batches turned out great! LOVE the new blog design!!!!!!

Becky said...

What the heck, I had to double check and make sure I was at the right blog! I love your knew look, so CUTE! Great candles, we get eaten up here too, but the candles at the store are so ugly. I just love yours! Love that you sent the project on to your mom too!

Tracy said...

Love your new header...I had to actually read the name to make sure it was you...so much for you not liking change eh ;)
You and your moms candles are really pretty. I like the idea of putting them in jars with lids. Perfect idea for the outside.
I always pass my craft ideas to others....that why I blog, YouTube and have crafty friends, teehee.

Mary Jo said...

Those are so awesome that I am pinning them. And love that you sent them to your mom! How fun :)
Cute look for your blog, too :)

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