Candles

I love candles! I buy a lot of candles but it’s disappointing when there is left over wax after the candle is no longer usable, so I collect the leftover wax and make more candles!!!

I buy the wicks online, you can either buy them pre-cut with the metal bottoms or I buy a length that can be cut to whatever size I need. I used to collect pretty jars and then I got into teacup candles but you have to be careful to make sure it doesn’t look like you’ve got you dishes scattered about the house! On my travels the other day I come across these lovely diamond cut glasses that I thought would look beautiful with the light inside catching the pattern in the glass so here you go:

I use an empty metal coffee tin with a lid to collect the scrap wax. Heat a pan of water on the hob and put metal tin into the water. The wax will melt inside the tin.

Dip the metal bit on the end of the wick in the wax to centre and secure it in whatever you are using as a candle (just make sure it can stand the heat), I then tie a bit of cotton to the tip of the wick.

Pour the melted wax into your new candle (be careful, the metal tin will be hot) but retain a bit because when the wax has set it will sink so you will need some to level the top. Then wrap the cotton around a skewer (or fork or pen it doesn’t matter) and balance it on top of your candle, this will ensure the wick doesn’t fall into the wax and make it unusable.

Let it set overnight and re-melt the leftover wax the level out the sink hole.

This is the way I do it but you can buy the wax online or from craft supply stores.