Sunday, November 17, 2013

How to Make Your Own Wonderfully Scented Mason Jar Oil Candle


Mason jars are so versatile. Here is an easy Do It Yourself project, including the supplies you’ll need, step by step instructions, oodles of images and use ideas on making your own Mason Jar Oil Candles. They are beautiful to look at and your home will smell wonderful, too. Best of all, they’re cheap and easy to make with recycled and reused items

You will need the following materials:
hammer + Nail 
1 glass or heavy plastic bottle with metal screw-on lid
1 bottle of paraffin oil, olive oil ,almond oil or any clean burning unscented oil   
1 100% cotton wick   **It's important that it be all cotton. If there is polyester or anything else in it, it may produce unhealthy fumes when it burns.

1 pair of scissors


1. put decorative items in clean jar, arrange items until you get the look you want

pinecones, pineneedles, stones, crystals , cranberries Evergreen trimmings, Berries, Holly Misletoe seed pods twigs/ sticks   etc

2. Unscrew the lid (this should be metal) and poke a hole in the top using the hammer and nail (or screwdriver).

3.   fill jar w/ unscented paraffin oil  Soak wick in oil before inserting 
-To make the wick, place your fabric strip or string into the bowl. Natural fabric or string works best, otherwise your wick may smell and not burn as well. Pour in just enough olive oil to saturate the strip. Once it is thoroughly soaked, take out the strip and place it on the paper towel; squeeze out any excess oil to prevent dripping.

4. drill hole in top of flat cap lid same diameter as wick holder insert
 thread fiberglass wick through wick holder insert

5. place the wick (& wick holder insert) in the lid hole & put the lid on the jar making sure the wick hangs in the center of the jar

6. screw lid ring on jar tight 















Friday, November 15, 2013

DIY Natural Wooden Candle Holder!

Photo credit the internet

Looking for a neat way to Incorporate the elements into your altar or living space?
Make your own wooden candle holder! 

What you need:

* Reclaimed branches or stumps cut to the size you like -- try to find a branch that has already fallen per nature's doing -- look in wooded areas as well as places that storms have gone through lately... Or! If you have to trim a tree - recycle those trims - and voila!
* A drill with a bit the size of the candles you’d like to use
* Tea light Candles (Candles used in these candle holders must be contained in a plastic or metal casing -- to help be fire safe -- tea lights work best, although votives would also work --- anything bigger than that should be used for looks only, not actual burning).

How it’s done:
1. Make sure you have a flat side for the branch to stand on - if you do not have this, saw through a good - smooth - flat edge!
2. Use the drill to drill a hole out for your candle. Be sure to have about half an inch margin around the candle to help be fire safe!
3. Place the candle inside, light, and enjoy!

Nature wood look not what you're going for? Make natural recycled paint - and paint them silver, gold, or even white - turn them into God/Goddess candle holders!