Handmade candle ideas: how to make them and ways to customize
When it comes to stylish, soothing items, candles are at the top of the list, aren’t they?
Just looking at them brings a sense of calm.
In this article, we introduce handmade candle ideas.
Store-bought options are great, but some of you might be thinking, “If I’m going to have one, I’d rather make it just the way I like!”
We’re sharing a variety of ideas—like botanical candles, gradient candles, and gel candles—so feel free to use them as inspiration.
Candles are also popular as gifts, so give it a try!
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Handmade candle ideas: how to make them and ways to customize (1–10)
Gradient candle
It’s nice when candles are cute enough to serve as interior decor just by being placed out, isn’t it? Here, we’ll make two kinds of eye-catching gradient candles.
For the first, you color a candle in two shades, flatten and harden it, break it into pieces, pack those pieces into a mold, and then pour in colorless wax.
For the second, you create a gradient by adding two colors to the outer layer of a colorless candle.
Both methods produce beautiful gradients, so give them a try!
Starry Sky Gradient Candle
How about making a sparkling, starry-gradient candle using gold leaf foil and glitter? First, pour a little vegetable oil into a plastic cup and lightly coat the inside.
Adhere gold leaf foil and glitter to the inner surface of the cup.
Next, melt paraffin wax and microcrystalline hard wax, then divide the mixture into three paper cups.
Mix each with blue and purple pigments in different intensities.
When they start to set, stir slightly and apply them to the plastic cup, starting from the lightest color.
Insert the wick, add blended wax, and let it harden for about half a day.
You’ll have a dreamy, beautiful candle ready to enjoy!
Bonfire candle
Do you know about campfire candles? You see them a lot on social media these days.
These candles use natural wood for the wick, and when you light them, they crackle like a campfire or fireplace.
Just watching a fire can be soothing, which is why it’s so popular.
I tried making one of these campfire candles using only items from a 100-yen shop.
For the wooden wick, I used a wooden spoon and a wooden straw.
I melted wax by putting regular candles and a soy candle in a paper cup and warming it in hot water.
It seems that the larger the surface area of the wick, the better the crackling sound will be.
Handmade candle ideas: how to make them and ways to arrange (11–20)
Chunk Candle
How about making your very own original candle? With just a bit of extra effort, you can prepare colorful block-shaped wax in your favorite hues and try making a chunk candle.
You can make it using items available at 100-yen shops.
Shave some crayons, pour in wax melted in a hot-water bath, level it out, and let it harden.
Once it sets, break it into pieces of your preferred size, place them in a mold, pour in clear wax, insert the wick in the center, and let it set—that’s it! Create them in any size or shape you like to use as interior decor.
They also make perfect gifts.
Sand aroma candle
Let’s make a stylish sand-like aroma candle.
You can get all the materials at a 100-yen shop, so it’s easy to try.
First, remove the wick and aluminum from the candle you want to use, and melt the wax in a pot.
If you prepare various colors and scents, you’ll get a colorful finish.
Pour the melted wax onto a paper plate and stir continuously as it cools until it becomes powdery.
Next, break a candle to take out the wick and thread on a wick base.
Finally, place the wick at the center of a glass, then add the powdered wax in layers as you like, and you’re done.
It’s simple to make, yet the candle looks truly refined—give it a try!
Marine gel candle
How about making a marine gel candle with a refreshing, dewy look for the hot summer? First, melt the required amount of gel wax.
While doing this, dip the wick into the gel, take it out, and wipe it with a tissue.
Once the gel wax has melted, add your preferred color and pour it into cups.
Preparing about three colors will let you create a beautiful gradient.
Next, use a heat gun to melt a small amount of gel wax at the center of the bottom of a glass, then attach the wick with a wick tab on top of it.
Add seashells to the bottom of the glass and decorate freely.
Finally, add the three colors of finely chopped gel wax into the glass in order, then melt some gel wax for finishing and pour it over the top to complete.
It would make a lovely gift, too.
Mini bonbon candle
Here’s how to make a cute mini pom-pom candle with a bouncy, bubbly look.
First, put paraffin wax in a pot and heat it.
Once melted, dip the candle wick to wax it.
Next, thread the waxed wick through a tapestry needle and poke it through the center of a silicone mold.
Finally, add soy wax and paraffin wax to the pot and mix; once melted, gradually add shaved crayon to adjust the color.
When you get the shade you like, pour it into the mold and you’re done.
Its perfectly round, adorable shape is wonderfully soothing.
You can wrap it cutely and gift it to someone special, or display it as decor—there are lots of ways to enjoy it.