How to Make Hand-Poured Candles | i should be mopping the floor
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How to Make Hand-Poured Candles

This post for Hand-Poured Candles contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, I make a small portion when these links are used, at no additional cost to you. 

I've tried my hand at homemade candles in the past, but these new fall versions of hand-poured candles may just be my favorites...because of how easy they were to create and how lovely they smell. If you've never made hand-poured candles, they're not nearly as intimidating as you may think. Nor are they very messy. See my simple tutorial below.

Hand-Poured Candles
I tend to utilize candles more in the cooler months...they provide that warmth and glow that is perfect this time of the year. But, I use them so much that my candle budget has started shaking its finger at me. I always try to purchase them when White Barn (the Bath and Body Works candle store) has them on sale, but I truly go through them a bit too fast to even justify that. So, learning to make my own hand-poured candles has been a game-changer in this area. I can create these for a dollar or so apiece and have a more customized scent. See how simple these are to create below.
Also, today is THRIFTY STYLE TEAM DAY! Yay. At the end of the post, I'm sharing projects from all of my friends...and they're SO good!
Thrifty Fall Ideas

Hand-Poured Candles

Not only did this latest little candle-making experiment come out of *necessity*, it also stemmed from an over-abundance of jelly jars that I just can't bring myself to toss. If you're a Bonne Maman jelly fan (we can't get enough), then you may have one or two of their adorable jars on hand, too. And if you don't, any glass container will work for making your own hand-poured candles. Below, I used a vintage glass from my mother.
How to Make Handmade Candles

Why Make Your Own Hand-Poured Candles?

  • complete control of scent type
  • complete control of scent strength
    • This is important to me for a variety of reasons. In larger rooms, I prefer a more heavily scented candle. But in places like a powder room, I prefer barely any scent since it's tight quarters. 
  • upcycle old vessels 
  • cost effective

How to Make Hand-Poured Candles

There aren't really a whole lot of fancy items needed here. I grabbed a kit of sorts on Amazon and had everything else on hand. 

Also, the traditional method of making candles uses a double boiler on a stove top. However, if you've been following along with me on Instagram lately, you know my kitchen is in the remodeling process (it is actually supposed to be finished today!). I did a bit of research and found out that a microwave can be used. I know it's not the traditional form of candle-making, but it worked well for me. I haven't had any scent or wax issues whatsoever with this fall batch I made in the microwave.

Supplies for Hand-Poured Candles

Candle Making Ingredients

Directions for Hand-Poured Candles

Bonne Maman Jelly Jar Ideas
  • Start by cleaning out the container you plan to use.
  • The labels on these Bonne Maman jars come off with a quick soak in a sink of warm water and a bit of dish soap...no scrubbing even required (usually all the labels float to the top of the water if you do several at a time).
  • Allow to dry completely.

Candle Scent Recipes
  • Place your wick in the bottom center of your container.
  • I warm a tiny bit of the soy wax between my fingers and stick it to the bottom piece of the wick to get it down (pictured above). This isn't fool-proof, it still sometimes wiggles free during the actual pouring part, but it's simple to straighten out.

Making Scented Candles
  • Place your centering piece over your container to keep your wick centered when the wax is poured.

How to Make Candles
  • For one eight ounce jar, I used roughly two cups of soy wax (in the non-melted stage) in my glass jar (or inner pot of your double boiler).
  • If microwaving, do so in 30 second intervals on high, stirring after each time. It only took me two minutes total for all of the wax to melt. I made sure it reached 165 degrees (it will continue to get a bit hotter once removed from the microwave). 
  • If doing on the stovetop, stir and melt your wax to 165 degrees.
Essential Oil Candles
  • Once your wax is between 165-185 degrees, add your fragrance. This time around, I did a mixture of apple pie and brown sugar scents. I used two teaspoons of apple pie and one of brown sugar, but that is actually quite heavy on the scent (I prefer that). You'll probably need to play around with the amounts to get your own preferences down.
  • Stir until fragrance is incorporated. I just used a plastic spoon.

Hand-Poured Candles for Fall
  • Pour your wax into your glass containers. 
  • If there is any wax left in your pouring container, save it until the next day.
  • Allow your candle to firm up overnight. 
  • Once it's firm, if there are any holes or marks on the top surface, you can melt a tiny bit more wax and fill them in. This is just optional for those who like that smooth top. 
  • You can now wash the pouring container. If you want to use it for other items (other than candle-making), leave about a half an inch of wax in the bottom of it. Place the container in the freezer for a few hours and the wax should pop right out. 
Trimming a Candle Wick
  • Trim your wick to about a half an inch.
Make Your Own Candles
Enjoy your candle! Mine has made my office smell just like fall. 

Handmade Candle Gifts
Pair a fall-scented candle with one of my free printable acorn design gift tags for a sweet treat for a friend this season.

How to Make Hand-Poured Candles

Thrifty Style Team

And don't forget...it's everyone's favorite day of the month, Thrifty Style Team Day! Below, all of my friends have loads of great (budget-friendly) ideas, too!

Thrifty Style Team
Have you ever made your own candles?



9 comments:

  1. Those jars are adorable! I can totally understand why you don't want to part with them and this is such a wonderful way to use them. Thanks for the tutorial and the inspiration, Kristi. xo

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  2. I've never seen that brand of jelly but I'm going to be looking for it. The jars make a perfect candle holder. As I enjoyed reading your tutorial I was envisioning me smelling them through my computer screen. I'm hoping to try this project very soon!

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  3. I love using candles, especially in the fall. And those jars are adorable! Thanks so much for the tutorial!

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  4. I have always wanted to try my hand at candles and I have a ton of those jelly jars! Thanks for the directions and inspiration! Oh and your tags are so cute too!

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  5. I haven't ever made candles, but you make it look so easy, I need to give it a try.
    The Fall scents sound really good.
    Thanks, Kristi.

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  6. I love this so much I bought the candle making kit through your link! I have a ton of essential oils and I love that I can make my own candles that don't contain any questionable chemicals. Pinning!

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  7. Kristi, This tutorial is so helpful! I love your mom's glass for the candle! They would sell like hot cakes in the store!! I shared on my FB page and folks love it, too!

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  8. I had some of these products already in my Amazon cart debating to buy them or not. Your step by step tutorial gave me the push to purchase it plus a few of your suggestions!! Thank you so much!!! I cannot wait for it all to arrive tomorrow!

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