by Kristen J K

Created on: February 19, 2009   Last Updated: March 06, 2009

Are you a candle junkie? I don't know about you, but I sure am! I go through candles like water and always find myself with about a million candle stubs and piles of wax. I always thought to myself, "wouldn't it be great if I could make new candles from all this wax instead of throwing it out?"

Well, I am pleased to report that I have learned how to make my own recycled candles and you can too! This will save you money, give you a fun projects, and give your friends something to be jealous of!

You will need: - Old candle wax - Candle wick (you can buy it pre-made in craft stores or you can make your own) - An old pot or tin (I use an old coffee tin make sure you use something you don't mind getting messy!) - A big bowl or bucket (bigger than whatever you are making the candle in) - Oven mitts - Stove

Steps: 1. Put the wax you want to use into your pot or coffee tin. You may want to use all similar colours, or if you don't care, throw whatever you want in there and give yourself a surprise colour!

2. Heat the tin of wax on the stove. Make sure you use a medium and not high heat! If you heat the wax too quickly or too much, it can "explode". I'm sure you don't want to be covered in hot wax, nor do you want to be scraping it from all over your kitchen. Be patient!

3. While the wax is melting, fill your bowl or bucket with hot water. Don't boil water, just use the hottest that will come out of your tap.

4. Set the empty jar for the candle in the bowl of hot water. This will heat up the glass so it won't crack when the hot wax is poured in.

5. Tie the end of the wick to a pen, pencil, fork, or anything that is longer than the top of your candle jar. Then place the pen across the top of the jar so that the wick is hanging down the middle. Make sure your wick is long enough to reach the bottom!

6. Once you wax is melted, put on your oven mitts! Carefully pick up the tin and pour the wax slowly into the jar.

7. Let the candle cool. You will be able to tell when the wax has hardened.

8. Light your candle in a prominent spot and brag to your friends that you did indeed make that glorious recycled candle yourself!

Once you have mastered making candles, try heating up more than one colour of wax and making layered candles. You can also add things, like beads, dried flowers, etc. I hope this worked for you and that you love your new candles!

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