Last week I pinned a super cute bunch of mini- candle terracotta pots and I thought something like that would be perfect out on our deck! The picture I had in mind, was different sized pots ranging from large to small, and making them into my own citronella candles. So, that’s exactly what I did π
Here’s what you’re going to need:
- terracotta pots ranging in size ( mine were 7,5 & 1.5 inch pots)
- patio/outdoor paint
- sanding block
- dollar store candles or a block of wax from the craft store ( I’ll explain later in the post!)
- 6 inch wicks
- wooden skewers or popsicle sticks
- boiling pot and wax pot
- citronella and eucalyptus oil
- magazine or newspaper as working space
Initially, I went to Michaels and priced out the candle wax and supplies. For 4 pounds of wax was $19.99, 6 inch wicks were $3.99 and the wax pot was $16.99. Despite the fact I had never made candles before, I wasn’t sure I wanted to put out that money incase it didn’t work out. So, I headed home that night empty handed, but determined to find an alternative, and I did! I was talking things over with my husband and he suggested just going to the dollar store and buying a bunch of unscented candles to use for my wax, I would be melting them down anyway! I tell ya, that man is brilliant sometimes π The next morning I scooped up 8 unscented candles from the dollar store. I went back to Michaels and bought the patio paint and wicks. I purchased my pots from Andersons (3 for $3.07!), which was cheaper than Michaels! I didn’t purchase the wax pot in hopes I would find something less expensive or something I already had at home. I opted for an old, small saucepan we hadn’t used in ages.
It was a beautiful day out, so I took the pots onto the deck and began painting them using a small wedge sponge. The patio paint dries really quickly which made it a breeze to get two good coats on all three pots! I let them dry thoroughly in the sun for a bit and then began roughing them up with a low-grain sanding block. I wanted the rustic, worn feel and I think I accomplished it with little effort!
Now onto the candle making… First, fill your boiling pot and bring the water to a slight boil and reduce heat. Add the wax pot and candles. The dollar store candles came wrapped in plastic and with a sticker on the bottom. Simply remove all the wrapping and you can pull the wick out of the bottom and save for a future candle project! While the wax is melting, prep your pots. For the 5 and 1.5 inch pots, I easily hot glued the wicks onto the bottom of the pots covering the drain hole, no problem! The larger 7 inch pot was a little more difficult. I added a small piece of double layered aluminium foil and hot glued into place. Then I glued the wick on the inside of that. I had a little (big) uh-oh moment, so I highly recommend the foil technique on the bottom of all of your pots for coverage! The wax melts rather quickly, less than 10 minutes. Once the majority of your wax has melted, add 10 drops of citronella oil and 5 drops of eucalyptus oil. I rested my pots on magazines incase of any drips or spills. Grab your wooden skewer or popsicle stick and rest your wick on it, and carefully pour your wax in. This can be rather messy without a spouted pot, but I made do! Center your wick and keep it remaining on the skewer until completely dry. Finish for the remaining pots.
I allowed mine about 5-6 hours of drying time. Trim wicks and enjoy!! We tested them out on the front porch this evening and I love them; and they smell sooo much better than the store bought citronella candles!! This is definitely a project I’ll be doing again π
Sharing this project on these lovely blogs!
Danette says
Always good to keep the mosquitos away. Thanks for sharing.
Glamorous Mommy says
Absolutely Danette! Thanks so much for stopping by π
the cape on the corner says
now that is neat. I’ve never seen that before, and it creates a great glow, too.
Glamorous Mommy says
They really are beautiful all lit up! Thanks for stopping by!
Bethany says
Great idea! I never thought of making your own, thanks for sharing!
Glamorous Mommy says
You’re welcome Bethany π Have a great weekend!
Kelly says
Love these. Great idea. I’m heading to the Dollar Store this weekend to try this.
Glamorous Mommy says
Awesome Kelly!! Let me know if you have any questions, I’d be happy to help π
Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above says
I love your candles. They are so pretty.
Have a great weekend.
Debi
Glamorous Mommy says
Thanks so much Debi! Enjoy your weekend!
Manuela@A Cultivated Nest says
Those are really cute and I love the idea of getting the candles from the dollar store!
We’d love it if you would link this post to our Creative HomeAcre Blog Hop! We’re live on Sundays.
http://acultivatednest.com/2013/06/the-creative-homeacre-blog-hop-4/
Glamorous Mommy says
Thanks so much! I’ll be sure to stop by π
Virginia Megin Gallagher says
Great idea! Thanks for the great tutorial. Does citronella really work at keeping bugs away? I’ve never tried it.
I’m visiting today from I Should Be Mopping the Floor. I’d love for you to visit my blog, linkup and and leave a comment, too!
~ Megin of VMG206
Join me each Tuesday for Brag About It Link Up Party
Glamorous Mommy says
Megin, I’ve found that they do work at keeping the bugs away! The citronella and eucalyptus mix smells soo good too!!
BeBetsy says
Great post-we can’t wait to make them! Our bugs need a holiday.
Thanks for linking up with us this week at BeBetsy BRAG ABOUT IT Tuesday Link and Hop.
We’d love it if you would link back to BeBetsy at the bottom of your post. http://bebetsy.com
See you next week!
Sharon and Denise
Glamorous Mommy says
Thanks so much for stopping by! I do have your link on my “blog love” page which is what I include at the bottom of each post! I have it as VGM206.
Natasha In Oz says
Thanks so much for sharing this at the Say G’day Saturday link up! I have pinned this, shared it on twitter and facebook and featured it at this week’s party.
Hope you can join in again this weekend!
Best wishes,
Natasha in Oz
Tanya Runkle says
These are wonderful Fotini! Stop by later today to see them featured π
xo, Tanya
http://twelveoeight.blogspot.com/
Glamorous Mommy says
Thanks so much Tanya!! I’m headed over now π
Hannah Greene says
Where did you find your citronella and eucalyptus oils? The candles are adorable I can’t wait to try making these!
Glamorous Mommy says
Hi Hannah! I bought my oils from a local grocery chain, Giant Eagle. If you have a marketplace type store, they will more than likely carry them! Thanks for stopping by π
Tracie Gulit says
Hi there! Love this post! I am curating a collection of posts called {Autumn Nights} over @ http://www.Looksisquare.com, this post will be included! Check it out on Friday!
Best,
Tracie Gulit- the bunch
http://www.thebunchblog.blogspot.com
Glamorous Mommy says
You’re awesome Tracie!! Thank you so much, I can’t wait to check it out <3
Sam Davis says
Hi,
Through candle dark goes to light. So I need the various design of candles with amazing series. If you want to catch out the finest type of waxations light candles for your indeed.