A scented candle with an exciting fragrance is therapy on another level. If the fragrance comes from essential oils, so much the better. The healing qualities in scented candles are unforgettable. They can induce sleep or deep relaxation within moments. What an impassable opportunity to be able to afford large glass candle jars. They can transform your living space into a heaven of scents for many weeks. But they might come around as a bit expensive for some average folks. Why not make mini candles in small glass bottles with lids? Sounds like a fun and DIY project.
Scented candles are no mean stress relievers. They massage and calm your mind and mood with invisible fingers. So having a couple of them at home is beneficial. Better still, you can indulge in several unique fragrances depending on your mood. Apply a different scent to each mini candle - that's all. Mini candles in small glass bottles with lids are economical and portable. A mini candle can accompany you on a trip without a fuss. Or put them in different spots around the house. For a fact, mini candles are adorable pocket-size gifts.
Mini Candles in Small Glass Bottles with Lids: Items You Need
Imagine the cost of getting any one of the exquisite large glass candle jars. You may make a sizable batch of mini candles from it. And you may be lucky to keep some change. Not attempting to talk down on large glass candle jars, though. They are worth every dime spent on buying them.
You will need the items below:
- Candle wax - which could be beeswax, paraffin, or soy wax.
- Essential oil(s) or fragrance oil(s) of your choice. Try lavender, lemongrass, and geranium. Citrus, ylang-ylang, tea tree, and eucalyptus are also top choices.
- Small candle wicks. Their sizes should match the size of the bottles.
- Wick holders. They support the wick while the wax attempts to harden. Pencils can do similar work.
- A thermometer. Useful for observing the wax’s temperature.
- Wick stickers. Use them to keep the wick in place. You may use hot glue instead.
- A wax melting/pouring pot. Shaped to ease pouring out the molten wax.
- A double boiler - a special pot for melting the wax. You may use a microwave oven in its place. There are also double boiler wax melting pots.
- Colouring flakes or wax dye (for coloured candles only)
- Small glass bottles with lids
Instructions:
- Start by washing the bottles and airing them to dry.
- Ensure they are very neat.
- Use either wick stickers or hot glue to stick the wick to the bottom of each jar.
- Now melt the wax. In a double boiler, put the wax in the top pot. Let enough water be in the bottom pot. Place the double boiler on medium heat. Otherwise, if you use a microwave oven, melt the wax in a microwave-safe container. Whichever method you use, stir the wax every 30 seconds until well melted.
- Take the wax away from the heat.
- The thermometer will be handy at this point. Check for when the temperature cools down to about 75 degrees Celsius. Then you can stir in the fragrance/essential oil. Use one ounce of the oil for each pound of wax, and mix well.
- Stir in the colouring until they blend well.
- Wait for the wax to cool down to about 65 degrees Celsius. Pour the wax into each bottle - but not to the brim. Leave some headspace atop the wax to give it room for expansion. To prevent air bubbles, handle it in a slow manner.
- You need to provide support for the wick. It should remain upstanding and centered in the wax. To achieve this, lay a wick holder across the mouth of each bottle. A pencil can work in the place of a wick holder. It should remain this way until the wax firms up.
- Allow the candles to harden at normal/room temperature. It may require more than a few hours, but leave them undisturbed. Do not attempt to make them cool down faster.
- When the candles become very firm, snip the free-hanging wick ends with scissors. Allow 6mm of each wick end to remain atop the candle.
- Here’s a bonus tip. Use a hair dryer to neaten the top of the candle after it sets. The brief heat makes the top look even. An alternative is to use a heat gun.
- The bottle lids will keep the fragrance from wasting away. Once the coolling is complete, cover each bottle with the lid.
Conclusion
Large glass candle jars with alluring scents are great to have. They can give you a soothing indoor experience. But you may consider them expensive, or you want smaller DIY versions. Follow the outlined steps above to make scented mini candles.
Using small glass bottles with lids, you can make portable scented mini candles. They are suitable as gifts or as part of your travel kit. The lids also preserve the fragrance any time they are not in use.