Reposted: A small jar candle

This post, from February 2015, is one of my favourites and for some time I have wanted to republish it:

I wanted to try again something we used to do years ago: recycling old candle stubs - by melting them down in a pan and pouring the melted wax into a mould.

Minulla on postauksia jonoksi asti odottamassa, mutta halusin postata tämän jutun uudelleen. Uusia lukijoita on tullut vuoden 2015 helmikuun jälkeen, tämä on yksi omista suosikkipostauksistani  - ja näissä kuvissa on ehkä paras leikkotulppaanikimppu mitä meillä on nähty. Veljeni osti kukat äitimme syntymäpäiväksi ja ne kestivät kauniina pitkään ja kuihtuivatkin kauniisti. :)

Lapsena tehtiin uusia kynttilöitä sulattamalla vanhoja. Taisin usein tehdä niistä raidallisia. Tämä suklaa-pähkinädippiastiaan valettu on varmasti tyylikkäin tuotokseni. :) Alla oleva dippikuva on netistä.

I had perfect materials for this project, first of all a beautiful small glass container (with a lid), received from my brother for Christmas. In the picture below (from http://www.cuisineaddict.com/ achat-fondue-chocolat-noir-noisette-300-g-mazet-2818.htm) you can see what it contained originally. Yummy!

The diameter of the jar is only about 4 cm (and that made the task a little bit more difficult).
I had also these old stubs I wanted to use - of a beautiful, intense red colour. For this candle, I used the remaining wick of one of the old ones. (Wicks can also be made at home or purchased at hobby stores.)

You can use pieces of non-toxic crayons to add a little colour and/or essential oils to give your candles a scent.

What you do is very simple. Just break up some old candles, stick a few pieces in a saucepan, over a low heat, and stir until the candles have melted. Then pour the melted wax carefully in the mould or jar, preferably using a saucepan with a pouring spout.

In case you haven't tried this before, here are some useful tips:

For better results, don't mix different types of candles.

When filling the mould(s), reserve some of the wax. 

Once your candle is almost completely hard, you will notice a depression around the wick.

Pour the reserved wax into the dip to make the dip fill in.
If you want a completely even surface, you may need to repeat this. 

For your safety, heat the wax in a double boiler 

(in a large pan containing hot water, into which the smaller pan is set)!

Never leave unattended the pan containing melting wax!

Well, how did it go? The result is not perfect, but I'm rather satisfied with my elegant little candle. :)

It could be used as a gift for occasions such as Valentine's Day...

♥

In February 2015,

I joined with this post:

Judith at Lavender Cottage Gardening

for Mosaic Monday
and
Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose
 for Roses of Inspiration.

♥

A small curiosity, tomorrow will be "the day of the candle" in Finland. In the Finnish Lutheran Church, Candlemas (the presentation of Christ at the temple) is celebrated on the Sunday between 2 February and 8 February. This year it falls on the 5th. Traditionally, it was the day on which candles used in the church's worship during the year were blessed.

Wishing you a happy weekend!

Hyvää Runebergin päivää ja Kynttilänpäivää!