DIY
How to Make Gorgeous Dried Flower Candles
Aug
Terrarium Candles?! Now here’s a DIY that combines two of our favorite things. If you love greenery and a freshly scented home, this is the perfect DIY for you. It’s so easy! If you enjoy candles as much as I do, making them yourself will save you a fortune.
All You Need are a Few Supplies:
Glass Vessel
Soy Wax
Cotton Wicks
A Wooden Skewer to Hold the Wick in Place + Stir the Essential Oils
Essential Oils – Here are some Essential Oil Recipes that We Love
and Dried Flowers, Herbs, or Dried Smudge
(We used Faerie Garden Smudge from Lucia’s Garden Houston)
To Melt the Wax You Additionally Need:
A Heat Source
Any Pan that You Don’t Mind Getting Waxy
When you get started, melt your wax on low heat. The lower the heat, the faster it will cool. You do not need to heat the wax on a double broiler.
Add a small amount of your plants, dried flowers, or garden smudge to the glass vessel before you add the wax.
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And now add the wax. Important Tip: Pour the wax slowly! To make a gorgeous candle you will want the surface of the candle to be smooth. Pour the wax slowly to prevent any splashing around the sides or uneven edges.
Some of the smudge that you added may float to the top. That’s okay, just use your wooden skewer to push the down deeper into the wax. It’s still best that you add some smudge first, and allow it to be completely drenched in wax. Getting coated will make it easier to move.
Once your wax is in the vessel, add the wick and get it settled. Make sure the wick is in the dead center as you roll the cotton wick down. The wooden skewer will balance across the edge of the vessel. Just be sure that the bottom of the wick is touching the bottom of the vessel. And make sure the wick is in the very center so that the candle will burn evenly.
Let them rest for 5-10 minutes before adding the essential oils. You don’t want to add the essential oils when the wax is too hot. You’ll know the time is right when the bottom of the candle becomes more opaque but the top of the candle is still liquid.
How many drops of essential oil depends on your taste, the brand, and what type of oil it is. I used about 30 drops for these candles – but you are welcome to use your best judgement. You will want to add a lot if you are using a light essential oil like lemon. But if you are using something potent like rosemary or mint just a few drops is plenty!
Once you’ve added your essential oils stir the wax very, very slowly. You need the essential oils to be mixed evenly and thoroughly throughout the wax. But again, it’s important to be careful about that splashback!
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As the wax continues to cool, layer and add more of your smudge, flowers, or plants. Build it up like a scene and use your hands to push the pieces into position.
Keep adding flowers until you have a surface that is just gorgeous.
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Now all you need to do is be patient and wait for the wax to completely cool. It will only take a few more minutes.
And voila – Terrarium Candles!
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This is beautiful! Perfect fall project, I love drying out flowers, now I have something new to use them for 🙂
This is a great tutorial. I just need to find myself some soy wax!
This is awesome. I’m trying candle making and will have to keep this one in mind.
Nice work!
I love these, but wonder if the dried flowers spark and catch fire if they are too close to the flame
Hi Karen,
EXCELLENT POINT! I used floral smudge in my candle – it’s just like burning sage, sweet grass or Palo Santo. The floral smudge absolutely burns too. It too is scented and adds a gorgeous bouquet to the home! I also recommend just adding a touch of floral smudge. I would not add more than 1/4 loose cup for a 16 oz. candle.
LOVED THAT QUESTION! Thank you.
I would love to try this out !! I am looking at soy wax but not sure how much to buy, how much would you say is used in making a 16oz candle?
TIA
Very cool, Jackie! The easiest way to get all the supplies you need is to shop our Pressed Flower Candle Making Supply Kit that comes with dried flowers, wax, wicks, essential oils and more!
Otherwise, I would recommend having at least 12-14 oz. of wax for a 16 oz. vessel. The trick is you don’t want your candle wax to reach all the way to the top of the vessel.