DIY Vintage Glass Candles (Using old pillar candles)
DIY vintage glass candles, hacked from the pages of an old Pottery Barn catalog using thrift store glasses and wax from old pillar candles.
I hope you guys are finding some inspiration to see old, worn out or cast off items in a new way through our ongoing handmade gifts series!
Today’s handmade gift I’m sharing with you is one of my favorites (right up there with my burlap jewelry board): DIY vintage glass candles, hacked from the pages of an old Pottery Barn catalog.
Not only does this project use thrift store glass (which can always be found in abundance) it also is a way to use up all those old pillar candles that don’t light anymore, but still have a lot of wax.
Win-win.
Yes, I’m thinking you can see why I’m loving this:
catalog inspiration + thrifted items + using up throw-away items = lovely gift at a fraction of the price
That, by the way, no one would guess was made from cast-offs. Sigh. Seriously, this stuff makes my heart go pitter-patter.
What makes it even happier?
This comparison:
While the candle set on the left isn’t available from Pottery Barn anymore, last year they were selling the three candle set for $49.00.
My thrift store glasses were .99 each (the few that were marked $1.99 were half-priced the day I bought them) and I used about .50 in wicks and holders, so with the old wax from the pillar candles the price of my set comes to $3.50.
Yep – that’s quite a savings, isn’t it?
There are always LOTS of glass styles to choose from at thrift stores, including the more cut-glass types like the PB version. I just chose glasses I was drawn to and that came in the three heights to make a set. It’s one of the ways to make this handmade gift tailored to who you’re giving them to.
Oh, and maybe it goes without saying around here by now, but did I mention these are easy?
Like, last-minute-gift easy?
DIY Vintage Glass Candles
1. Start by assembling your supplies.
In addition to the thrift store glass and old pillar candles you will need:
- a dedicated pot and measuring cup for melting wax
- wicks and holders
- small dowels or chopsticks for holding the wick in place
I made candles in tea cups years ago for Mother’s Day and have simply stored the candle-making supplies in a basket since then.
Use the oldest pot and cup with a spout for pouring you can find and just scrape the wax out after using it and drying – I suggest you don’t try washing them, which sends clogging wax down the drain. And never put anything with wax on it in the dishwasher – you run the risk of ruining it (and yes, I’ve seen it happen).
2. Gather your old pillar candles and cut them up, discarding the old wicks.**
It’s long bothered me about what to do with pillar candles that are lopsided and don’t hold a light anymore – or worse, drip wax all over the place – but are still quite large, so I love the idea of remelting them.
**Note: You don’t have to reuse candle wax – it’s easy to find at a craft store. Buy a slab of it and chip off pieces to melt in the pan, continuing with the directions after cutting up pillar candles.
To cut the pillars into smaller pieces, you can use a serrated knife with a lot of arm strength and it will work. OR,
3. Optional: use a miter saw to cut the pillars into fourths.
This should be done with full approval of everyone who uses the saw, ’cause the wax will go flying and coat the blade. And little pieces of wax go everywhere – oh, did I already mention that? Be prepared.
4. Different texture of candle centers.
This is why the wax was flying with the power saw – some pillar candle insides are composed of rice-like textured wax (on the left in the photo) and some are solid wax all the way through. I thought the weirdly textured candles might not melt as nicely as the solid wax.
5. Melt the candle pieces in an old saucepan.
Guess what I found? They all melt down beautifully – no matter what the insides looked like. Another vote for reusing.
6. Attach wicks to holders, if needed.
Some, like mine, will need to be attached using needle nose pliers or however the directions suggest. There are also wicks with holders already attached, but they come in only one size so wouldn’t work with taller goblets.
7. Place a wick/holder in each glass, tape it to a chopstick resting across the top of the glass and carefully pour in the melted wax.
Use a steady hand and pour towards the center of the glass to avoid getting wax on the top edges of the glass (but try not to get wax on the wick).
8. Use another piece of tape.
If needed, on the stick and the glass edge to hold the wick in an upright, straight position as the wax dries.
9. Let harden until wax looks solid without moving the glasses.
This is important, so make sure the glasses are in a place where they won’t be disturbed for a few hours before you start pouring the melted wax.
I made two sets at one time and it took me about an hour, start-to-finish (well, not including the time needed to harden). So this is easily a day project that you could wrap up and gift the next day.
While I’m thinking mainly of Christmas, birthday, or Mother’s Day gifts for these, I think they would make fantastic wedding gifts, too, don’t you?
And you know what?
When the candle is used up, the glasses are reusable (again!) as goblets or vases. This project just got even better!
NOTE: a reader asked about the reused wax causing indentations in the centers near the wicks – yes, there are some, but it doesn’t bother me and they work just fine.
Want even more ideas? Follow me on Pinterest and check out my Handmade Gifts board as well as my Thrift Store Transformations board.
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DIY Vintage Glass Candles (Using Old Pillar Candles)
Tools
- A dedicated pot and cup with spout and handle for melting and pouring wax
- Small dowels or chopsticks for holding wicks in place
- Tape to hold wicks upright
Materials
- Wicks and holders
- Old pillar candles (or store-bought candle wax)
- Thrift store glass cups or goblets
Instructions
- Gather your old pillar candles and cut them up, discarding the old wicks.**It’s long bothered me about what to do with pillar candles that are lopsided and don’t hold a light anymore – or worse, drip wax all over the place – but are still quite large, so I love the idea of remelting them.**Note: You don’t have to reuse candle wax – it’s easy to find at a craft store. Buy a slab of it and chip off pieces to melt in the pan, continuing with the directions after cutting up pillar candles.To cut the pillars into smaller pieces, you can use a serrated knife with a lot of arm strength and it will work.
- Optional: use a miter saw to cut the pillars into fourths.This should be done with full approval of everyone who uses the saw, ’cause the wax will go flying and coat the blade. And little pieces of wax go everywhere – oh, did I already mention that? Be prepared.
- Different texture of candle centers.This is why the wax was flying with the power saw – some pillar candle insides are composed of rice-like textured wax (on the left in the photo) and some are solid wax all the way through. I thought the weirdly textured candles might not melt as nicely as the solid wax. Guess what I found? They all melt down beautifully – no matter what the insides looked like. Another vote for reusing.
- Melt the candle pieces in an old saucepan.
- Attach wicks to holders, if needed.Some, like mine, will need to be attached using needle nose pliers or however the directions suggest. There are also wicks with holders already attached, but they come in only one size so wouldn’t work with taller goblets.
- Place a wick/holder in each glass, tape it to a chopstick resting across the top of the glass and carefully pour in the melted wax.Use a steady hand and pour towards the center of the glass to avoid getting wax on the top edges of the glass (but try not to get wax on the wick).
- Use another piece of tape.If needed, on the stick and the glass edge to hold the wick in an upright, straight position as the wax dries.
- Let harden until wax looks solid without moving the glasses.This is important, so make sure the glasses are in a place where they won’t be disturbed for a few hours before you start pouring the melted wax.
Did you use crystal or glass. I have bought crystal now I’m worried it will shatter with the heat
They were glass, Liz. I’d still try one (if it was only a couple dollar investment) – there’s only a potential to shatter.
Hi just read your instructions on how to recycle old candles. I’ve been thinking of a way to reuse old candles. Your idea is perfect. I found an old Chocomaker at yard sale ($1) and it works perfect to melt wax slowly and has a spout for pouring. Just thought I would share. Thanks for the instructions.
That’s a clever way to melt the wax, Doris – thanks for taking the time to share!
Did any of the glassware break from the hot wax ? I have some French crystal glasses that I want to try this with but worried they will break when I pour in the hot wax.
No, they didn’t Leslie, and I used them until almost out. None of these were very thin glass, though.
What a LOVELY idea, Jami! Your personal choices are so beautifully elegant. I’d LOVE to make some of these for Christmas gifts this season. We’ll see… Thank you for posting this inspirational article!
I hope you do, Andi, they are easy!
Can you make these candles with soy wax?
Yes, any wax will work, Shynta.
I loveeeee this idea, and the thrift store, pinning to my DIY board.
This is a fabulous idea! I have some old glass goblets that belonged to my parents, but not enough of them to actually use as a matched set. (You know, kids, life, etc.) But wouldn’t this be a wonderful use of miss-matched, old glassware to give to family members, for warm memories of holidays past? Thanks for the inspiration!
I LOVE this idea. I have so many dang pillars sitting around that are squished and don’t light anymore. I ask myself why I keep them, and now I know. 🙂
Love this idea but what I loved even more is the hammered aluminum tray in the photo- I’ve collected it for years! Thanks for a great photo!!!
I remember these candles in the PB catalog. Yours are just as beautiful and a great knock off.
I want to make candles for our winter solstice celebration and I was going to ask google if I could use old pillar candles. Before I went to google, I checked my email and saw this post from you! Perfect timing! Looking forward to trying it next week.
You are an amazing source of GREAT ideas! I love this idea and plan on making some for Christmas presents. Keep your wonderful ideas coming our way :~)
These are just beautiful! I can’t wait to make some. I don’t exchange gifts with my sisters any longer however I try to make them a little something for the holidays. I already have something for them this year but these are too awesome not to make. Thank you for shareing.
While these look lovely and are a great way to use up odds and ends I would be concerned about the glass shattering while the candle is burning. Most glass isn’t able to stand up to the heat. I burned a candle in an ash tray once during a power outage and count myself lucky that it only made a mess and didn’t start a fire!
Thanks for the caution, Eileen, I’ll keep that in mind when gifting these and include a little note. I’ve made candles through the years in various vessels (first hearing about it through Martha Stewart’s candles in old tea cups), and burned votives in any glass I like and never had a problem. I also think the thickness of the wax in these glasses would cause them to burn like pillar candles – meaning mainly in the centers. And like any candle, these should never be left burning in a room where no one is present.
Did your candles sink in the middle? I sometimes run into problems with that.
No, as you can see in the photos, they didn’t. I’m sure there’s some scientific reason for that happening, though I’m not the one to ask about that. 😉
These are adorable!! I might even be able to do these if I can get my crafty on!!
When I melt wax, I use cleaned “tin” cans set in hot water instead of doing a saucepan over direct heat. Somewhere I read that some wax will explode if you melt it over direct heat. You can use needle nose pliers to make a spout indentation in the side of the can for ease of pouring.
That’s a great idea, Cheryl, to use old cans. I melt the wax slowly over low heat – not sure how that could explode. I’ve never had a problem with it, but thanks for the caution! As with everything diy, it’s best give your whole attention to the project at hand. 🙂
Jami,
Please tell your subscribers to use wax that is soy or beeswax. I make candles for resale and have read that the wax from old candles (paraffin) is not a good choice. These candles are made from the sludge left in oil barrels and is bleached. They will produce soot in your home and will not burn clean. My candles are not cheap but I educate people on using soy or beeswax because of the toxic air (paraffin) candles produce in your home.
Thank you