Scented Jar Candles: How to Make your Own

By Sirena Van Schaik

One thing that I have always noticed about making my own candles is that I need a double boiler. Every recipe and how to calls for one or they call for a special wax melter. It can become a bit much if you are just looking to make one or two candles or if you are just trying the craft on for size. I mean, no one is sure if they will like a craft until they try it and who wants to pay out tons of money for something that they end up disliking.

If you are interested in candle making and want to try an easy candle that doesn’t need a lot of extra equipment, then this is the recipe for you. Of course, you can also do this recipe if you are an avid candle maker who wants to do a few quick and easy candles, either as gifts or for a little profit to fund your hobby. (Yes, I am well aware of needing funds for a hobby.)

So, let’s roll up our sleeves and start making some wonderful scented jar candles.

What you need:

• Wax Flakes: This is something that you can purchase at many craft stores in the candle making section. It is not a block of wax but is actually just flakes, like a lumpy laundry flake only slightly bigger. Generally, the flakes are sold in bags and are white or a light yellowish-white in color.
• Wax Dye: This is only if you want to color the wax and chances are you will want to. It is important to use a wax dye and not food coloring or any other type of dye.
• Essential Oil: Obviously, you are going to need essential oils if you are going to be making a scented jar candle. Match the essential oil with the color of the dye so, for example, you may want green for apple, red for cinnamon, orange for tangerine, etc. You can play around with essential oils to create your own blend of fragrance but if you do this, blend it in a well ventilated area in a paper cup. Take it into a different room, clear your nostrils outside and then check the fragrance again. When you get it the way you want it, add the blended oils in the paper cup to the candle. Never blend essential oils in the hot wax since you may wreck several candles before you find the fragrance you are looking for.
• Microwave Safe Glass Jar: The jar can be just about anything from canning jars to coffee mugs. It is really up to you. The important points are: they need to be microwave save, thick enough to withstand a lot of heat and clean.
• Rubbing Alcohol: You only need this for prep work.
• Pencil: This is for keeping the wick from slipping into the hot wax.
• Candle Wicks: Another item you can purchase at a craft store, you can buy them pre-cut or in strips.
• Thermometer: To check the temperature of the wax.

Directions:

1. Before you start anything, always make sure you clean the jar first. Wash it with soap and water, dry thoroughly and then wash it down with rubbing alcohol to remove any fingerprints and oil. If you are using a jar that was already used for something else, make sure you remove all the glue from labels and all the residue of what was in the jar originally.
2. Pour the flakes into the jar, slightly above the level you want the candle to end at.
3. Place the jar in the microwave and gradually melt the wax. You should do this by heating the wax in one or two minute increments, or even 30 second increments if your microwave is powerful. After the allotted time, remove the jar carefully, stir the wax with a wooden spoon and check the temperature of the wax with the thermometer each time.
4. When the wax reaches the temperature that is indicated on the package, usually about 160°F, remove the wax from the microwave and stir.
5. Add in the wax dye and stir the candle until the dye is blended thoroughly.
6. By this point, the wax should have dropped several degrees and it should be safe to add the oils. Check the temperature and make sure there is about a 5 to 10° drop in temperature before you add the oils.
7. Stir in the oils and mix until it is well blended.
8. At this point, you should take the wick, cut longer than the candle by about 3 or 4 inches and tie it around one end of the pencil.
9. Hang the wick in the center of the jar candle so it reaches the bottom of the jar.
10. Set to the side and allow the candle to cool and harden.
11. When it has solidified, cut the wick so there is only ¼ of an inch above the candle wax.
12. Decorate and give as a gift or simply wrap.

And there is a fast and easy candle craft where you need very little equipment to make them.