DIY: Soy Wax Candles

Like most girls, I love candles.  I love to have several candles lit every night (in addition to the fireplace these days) while cooking or working on CBL.  However, candles can get expensive and I always feel guilty lighting the pricey candles everyday!

Pinterest and Between Your Ears recently inspired me to make some of my own candles for cheap.  I was shocked at how easy it was to make a few quick candles!  Here's how you can make some too - 

• candle wax or soy wax - I purchased 10 lbs. of soy wax flakes from Amazon
• essential oils of your choice
• candle wicks
• some cardboard you can cut into a strip and punch a hole into (long enough to rest over the top of the container/glass you plan to pour the soy wax into) to secure the candle wick placement
• container/glass to house your new candle - I used a mason jar, old drinking glass from a Southern Living prop sale that I chipped and an adorable Beverly Hills Hotel tin that I've held onto during the past six years and seven moves.
• large stock pot/5 qt pot to boil water
• old kitchen or coffee pot to melt wax in

1)  Fill the container you plan to use for your candle with soy wax.  Double the wax flakes and pour them into the pot you plan to melt the wax into, adding your essential oil of choice as well.  I used about a tablespoon of oil per candle, which I know sounds like a lot but you need a lot more oil than you think to make them fragrant!

2)  Boil water in the larger pot.  Once boiling, place the pot containing the wax inside the pot of boiling water.

3)  Stir the wax every so often to make sure all of the clumps are melting through.

4)  Once melted, pour the wax into a pouring device (old coffee pot, measuring cup, etc.) of your choice.

Place the wick in the container and use your cardboard device to center the wick.  It's ok if it moves some when you pour the soy wax in, you have plenty of time to move it around!

Go ahead and pour the wax into the container as full as you'd like it.

Let them sit for several hours to completely harden.  Once they're completely cooled, cut the wicks about 1.5-2 inches from the candle.  Light a match and enjoy your lovely new candles!