Easy Homemade Candles In Granny's Candy Dish

Learn how to make candles using thrift store glassware as containers.

Who doesn't love a good candle burning on your kitchen counter now that fall is within our reach! There's something about the crackling of the wick that gets me dreaming of pumpkins, hay rides and apple cider.

But most of the fancy store bought candles are so boring right now.

Round glass jar. Silver lid. Farmhouse styled label. White wax.

Yawn.

So when I saw this glass candy dish at the thrift store I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it!

Making Candles

Don't even get me started on the packing tape thrift stores use to drive us nuts. I wrote a whole rant about the evils of packing tape in my Letter To All Thrift Store Workers a few years ago.

But did I mention it's amber colored? All the trendy trendsetters who know about trends are into amber colored bottles in their home decor this year.

I went back and forth as to whether this Granny-esque candy dish was going to add to that amber trend or if it was going to hasten the demise of it. But I'm happy to say I am firmly in the More Amber The Better camp now!

(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. You can read my full disclosure policy here.)

How To Make Candles In Thrifted Glassware

Ingredients For Homemade Candles:

• Natural Soy Wax
• Wicks with metal holders (I used wooden ones)
• Candle fragrance oil (optional)
• Candle coloring (optional)
• Glass Container From Thrift Store
• Hot Glue Gun
• Scissors

Instructions For Making Candles:

Find a suitably festive container for your candle.

If you don't find a glass candy dish at the thrift store (believe me, you will, because they are all over the place there), you can always swipe Granny's candy dish. Just dump out her ribbon candy before you start. Don't worry, it will come out as one large sticky lump.

Of course, other heavy glass bowls, tin cans, or even store-bought candle molds (did I actually just say store-bought?) will work also.

The thing I LOVE about a glass candy dish is that it has a lid to it, so your scent won't escape when it's not in use.

Wash out the container with soap and water and thoroughly dry.

Lay down a layer of newspaper or cardboard, because candle-making can get messy and I'd much rather roll up some newspaper than scrape dried candle wax off my hardwood floors.

Using a glue gun or candle stick-ums (fancy candle glue dots), glue your wicks to the bottom of your vessel.

I used wooden wicks because I thought they would look more rustic, but basic string wicks would work also. I used two wicks because of the rectangular shape of my candy dish.

Melt your wax.

I used this wax which can be melted in the microwave.

Now, I've done the double-boiler method in the past, but it was so much EASIER just to pop the wax in the provided microwave-approved container and melt away.

I set the microwave at 2 minutes, stirred it, and then set it at another 2 minutes and stirred again. To get the very last bits of candle melted, I then microwaved it for a final 30 SECONDS (I originally typed 30 minutes in here and that could have caused a whole heap of trouble!). Please read the instructions on your package of wax.

If you are using a coloring, mix a few drops in at a time and stir until you get the desired color.

If you are using a scent, add in roughly ½ of a .5oz bottle per pound (read your product's label to know the correct dosing size for that particular scent).

Then pour your melted wax into your candle container, in my case a glass candy dish.

Wait for your candle to set up and cool. According to the directions on my box o' wax, it was suggested to wait 24 hours.

Then cut the wick according to the package directions - my wooden wicks were to be cut to ¼" above the wax.

And that's it.

Light it and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Which really isn't very much labor at all!

Can't find Granny's old candy jar? Here are some other ideas for items to upcycle for your candles.

Items To Repurpose For Candles:

• Tin cans
• Glassware from thrift store
• Mason jars
• Tea tins
• Vintage ceramic planters

Candle Safety Tips:

Please be careful both when making your homemade candles and when burning your candles. The National Candle Association has a great tip sheet on candle safety which covers just about everything you need to know!

By the way, today is Thrift Store Decor Team Wednesday!!! The one day of the month where I get together with a group of bloggers and show off our latest and greatest thrift store makeovers.

Run on over and see what my friends have done with their recent thrifting finds!

Chrome Desk Lamp Domestically Speaking

Table Top Valet Makeover Refresh Restyle

Over Sized Vase | Easy Thrift Store Makeover My Repurposed Life

Picture Frame Makeover Our Southern Home

DIY Painted Basket Makeover My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Paint a Thrift Store Lazy Susan Petticoat Junktion

DIY Towel Rack from Candle Wall Sconces Sadie Seasongoods

Repurposing Granny's Candy Dish House of Hawthornes (that's me)

Other Posts You May Enjoy:

Quilted Mason Jar Candle Holders

Milk Glass Succulent Planter

DIY Earring Holder (from Thrift Store frame)