With temperatures dropping, it’s officially candle season! I love lighting candles around my home to create a warm and cozy atmosphere. Candles are also great design elements, and these Silver Glitter Candles will add interest to any room. This project only requires painters tape, glue and glitter in addition to basic candle supplies. Simply lay down the tape in the pattern you’d like, apply glue and cover in glitter. Once dry, remove the tape to reveal a crisp and clean design.
I used Christmas Tree Cybilla Fragrance Oil for a classic holiday scent, but you can customize with any fragrance oil. The only thing to keep in mind is that while all Bramble Berry fragrance oils are safe to use in candles, not all fragrances have been tested in candles and may smell a little different when burned. I recommend making a small test candle to see what you think of the fragrance first, just to be on the safe side. For a real life example of “it’s candle safe but smells terrible”, we don’t recommend Pink Grapefruit or Pineapple Cilantro – they smell unpleasant when burned. You can also use fragrances specifically made for candles if you’re looking for a tried-and-true option.
What You’ll Need:
Round Glass Candle Jar
Note: The candle jar shown in this tutorial has been discontinued; the kit now contains the 10 oz. Tapered Neck Candle Jar. The amounts of wax and fragrance may need to be adjusted accordingly.
16 oz. EcoSoya Advanced Soy Wax
Cd-20 Wick
1.3 oz. Christmas Tree Cybilla Fragrance Oil
Silver Nail Polish Glitter
Glue (Modge Podge, Tacky Glue, Elmer’s, etc)
Painters Tape
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ONE: Place two strips of painters tape on the candle to create a diamond or triangle shape on one side. The two pieces of tape should intersect at the top of the candle jar. Keep in mind that the space below the tape will be covered in glitter, so place the tape where you’d like the glitter to end.
TWO: Use a paintbrush to apply a thin layer of glue to the area below the painters tape. For this project we used Tacky Glue, but Modge Podge or Elmer’s also work.
THREE: Place the candle jar on a piece of paper (this will aid in cleanup). Then, pour glitter on the area of the candle covered in glue, making sure it is completely covered in glitter. Tap the candle on your work surface to allow excess glitter to fall off. Use the piece of paper to pour the excess glitter back into the container.
FOUR: Allow the glue to dry for about 10 minutes. Gently peel away the tape. Allow the candle to dry completely overnight.
FIVE: Melt down 16 oz. of EcoSoya Advanced Wax in the microwave using a heat safe container. Once melted, add a few drops of wax into the bottom of the candle jar, and place the wick into the center of the candle. Cover the bottom of the wick with more wax to steady the wick to the bottom of the container.
SIX: Add the Christmas Tree Cybilla Fragrance Oil to the melted wax and stir to combine. Allow the wax to cool to around 110 ° F. This will help prevent the wax from cooling too quickly in the jar, frosting, and from melting the wax under the wick.
SEVEN: Once the wax has cooled, pour into the candle jar. To help steady the wick in the center of the jar, cut a straw in half and slide the wick into the straw.
EIGHT: Allow the wax to completely cool in the jar. Then, trim the wick and it’s ready to use!
What is your favorite type of candle scent? Personally, I gravitate to foodie or spa type fragrances for candles.
- Round Glass Candle JarNote: The candle jar shown in this tutorial has been discontinued; the kit now contains the 10 oz. Tapered Neck Candle Jar. The amounts of wax and fragrance may need to be adjusted accordingly.
- 16 oz. EcoSoya Advanced Soy Wax
- Cd-20 Wick
- 1.3 oz. Christmas Tree Cybilla Fragrance Oil
- Silver Nail Polish Glitter
- Glue (Modge Podge, Tacky Glue, Elmer’s, etc)
- Painters Tape
- Place two strips of painters tape on the candle to create a diamond or triangle shape on one side. The two pieces of tape should intersect at the top of the candle jar. Keep in mind that the space below the tape will be covered in glitter, so place the tape where you’d like the glitter to end.
- Use a paintbrush to apply a thin layer of glue to the area below the painters tape. For this project we used Tacky Glue, but Modge Podge or Elmer’s would also work great.
- Place the candle jar on a piece of paper (this will aid in cleanup). Then, pour glitter on the area of the candle covered in glue, making sure it is completely covered in glitter. Tap the candle on your work surface to allow excess glitter to fall off. Use the piece of paper to pour the excess glitter back into the container.
- Allow the glue to dry for about 10 minutes. Gently peel away the tape. Allow the candle to dry completely overnight.
- Melt down 16 oz. of EcoSoya Advanced Wax in the microwave using a heat safe container. Once melted, add a few drops of wax into the bottom of the candle jar, and place the wick into the center of the candle. Cover the bottom of the wick with more wax to steady the wick to the bottom of the container.
- Add the Christmas Tree Cybilla Fragrance Oil to the melted wax and stir to combine. Allow the wax to cool to around 110 ° F. This will help prevent the wax from cooling too quickly in the jar, frosting, and from melting the wax under the wick.
- Once the wax has cooled, pour into the candle jar. To help steady the wick in the center of the jar, cut a straw in half and slide the wick into the straw.
- Allow the wax to completely cool in the jar. Then, trim the wick and it’s ready to use!
Lovely project. Is the glass decoration heat resistant? Will the decorations melt off when the candle is burning as the jars tend to get hot?
Hi Elle!
In extreme heat, the Mod Podge can melt. When we used these candles we didn’t notice obvious signs of melting, but it may happen if the candle gets really hot (for instance if the wick is off center and burning more toward one side). When making your candle be sure to use straws or another tool to center the wick so it burns down the center and it should be fine. You can also place the candle on a heat resistant surface as it’s burning to be extra careful and catch any bits that fall. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Great tutorials! However, I am getting cracks around my wick and generally on top of the candle. How can I prevent these cracks and how can I fix existing ones?
Thanks!
Hi Elena!
Thank you, so glad you like the tutorials! Cracking in candles is usually due to temperature. If the candle wax is poured too hot, it can get cracks or divots in the top. I would recommend waiting until the wax is around 130-140F, and then pouring. At that temperature, the wax will cool more quickly and should have nice smooth tops. Get more candle tips here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/home-crafts/candles-q/
The good news is you can fix the cracked tops to make them nice and smooth! You can aim a heat gun at the top of the candle and hold it there for several seconds. That will remelt the wax and help it dry smooth. If you don’t have a heat gun you can use a blow dryer, but they typically don’t get as hot and the top can be a little uneven. Either way, those tops will smooth out nicely. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thank you so much! Would you suggest the same temperature for adding essential oils? I would like my candles to have maximum scent throw.
I would recommend using the same temperature for essential oils! Adding the essential oils around 135F or above is great for scent throw. It can also help to let the candles cure for 48 hours before burning. That ensures the candle sets up properly and has good throw. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
What a nice and fast project! I love the tip about the split straw to hold the wick! I’ve tried any number of hair brained techniques the few times I’ve made container candles.
So glad you like the project Michael! During the busy holiday season it’s nice to have a quick and easy project for sure. Also, isn’t that a great tip? One of our customers recommended that and now we love to use it. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry