DIY: Lavender Soy Candles

I decided to get all James Bond on ya and slide one last craft post in before Christmas break.

I have no idea what this has to do with you, Mr. Bond, 007 sir, and I’m sorry for dragging you into it.

Okay so homemade candles. Have you ever done this before? This was my first time, and I’m just going to tell you, I was TERRIFIED. Why? Because I did all this research on how to make soy candles and everything was like, “melting temperature this and pouring temperature that and wax explosions this and car chases that.” So I did as any safe mother-to-be would do and ignored it all, melted some dang wax and ran in the other room to hide under the table.

(don’t tell social services)

Also, I hadn’t originally planned on doing a post on these, so some of these are iPhone photos and some are camera photos. Guess which ones are which!

(just kidding that’s a seriously lame game)

So, candle making. You won’t believe how easy it is.

First of all, gather yo’ supplies: cute thrifted vintage glasses, jars or tins, microwavable soy wax (my bag didn’t say microwavable, hence the panic attack), wicks, and any essential oil that makes ya all tingly and rubberbandy.

Cut the wicks into 6-inch strips (or longer if your glass or tin is taller), and tape them to the bottom of each glass.

Use a chopstick to help guide your wick into place, to avoid any meltdowns.

Get it? Meltdown?

Like, melt? . . . wax?

Never mind.

Do you accidentally hoard tons and tons of chopsticks when you order take-out food? Same here. Look at their new mission in life! Aw.

You’ll just lay the stick over the center of the glass and anchor the top part of the wick to it with tape, keeping it in place. It goes by fast, so you won’t get burned out.

Get it? Burned out?

Like, burn a candl – hmmm.

Then just measure out double the amount of wax that would fit in your glass and stick it in the microwave for two minutes, until it’s all clear and liquidy.

Oh, use a mitten to grab the measuring cup because that ish is HOT. Mix in a few drops of lavender (or whatever oil) and give it a quick stir.

Then just caaaarefully pour the hot wax into the glass to avoid a sticky situation.

Get it? Sticky?

Like, the wax can easily stick to thin – okay.

Then you’ll just let them sit for about 12 hours to fully harden up. Remove the sticks and trim the wicks and come on baby, light my fire.

You’re hating me so hard right now.

Get waxed!

DIY: Lavender Soy Candles:

What it took for 6 candles:

* 12 cups microwavable soy wax (they come in flakes)
* lavender essential oil (or any other scent you dig)
* 1 package wicks, cut into 6-inch strips
* 6 chopsticks (or any little wooden stick type thing you have lying around)
* 6 vintage glasses or small tins
* scotch tape

Tape the bottom of the wick to the bottom of each glass. I used a chopstick to help me guide and press the wick into place. Then hold the wick in the center of the glass and tape the chopstick to it, keeping it in place. Photos will make more sense.

Measure out two cups of wax at a time. Microwave for two minutes (or a little less) until the wax has completely melted. Add 8ish drops of lavender oil to the melted wax. Stir it around a little.

Gently pour the melted wax into each glass, careful not to touch the sides.

Let harden for 12 hours. Gently remove the chopstick and trim the wick. Done.

*one thing to note! Pour some water into whatever you plan on using as your candle holder. Then double the amount of wax. That’s what will fit in your vessel. Sorry I said vessel.

Such a smokin’ gift!

Get it? Smoke?

Like, the cand – aaaand you’re gone.