Ideas
Making candles at home is an easy and affordable gift idea. While there will be some key supplies that you’ll have to buy new (soy wax and wicks), we loved the idea of using as many around-the-house items as we could find to make this a very homemade candle how-to. To make this candle we used crayons to tint the candle, essential oils to scent the candle, and the leftover glass jars from yogurt as the vessels.
The beauty of this candle is that there are so many colors to choose from, especially when you grab them from the Ultimate Crayola Crayon set of 152 crayons. Think candle-making is difficult? We’re here to prove you wrong. These pretty ombre-layered candles can be made using the microwave by using soy wax flakes and Dixie cups. No hot pots of boiling stinky wax for this homemade craft.
Honestly, the only “hard” part of this craft is figuring out what color crayon you’re going to use first! So grab that crayon set and let’s get started.
Project supplies
Hover & click to shop the supplies we used to create these candles.
- Crayons (about 1/2 crayon per candle)
- Small clean glass jars such as mason jars (we used cleaned Oui Yogurt containers which hold about 5 oz: shop Oui by Yoplait yogurt at Walmart Grocery)
- Wood candle wicks* and sustainers
- Scissors and/or knife to cut crayons
- Kitchen scale
- Soy wax flakes
- Dixie cups
- Peppermint essential oil
- Plastic spoon
- Paper towels (for cleaning spoon between layering)
*When using wood wicks, we suggest you soak them in vegetable oil for about 30 minutes to prepare the wicks. Wipe off excess and use as instructed below.
Instructions
Step 1. Organize supplies and remove labels from crayons.
Step 2. Prepare wax ingredients. Measure 1 oz each of soy wax flakes into 5 Dixie cups.
Step 3. Cut crayon into diminishing-size pieces using scissors or a knife. Cut a 1/2-inch piece for the bottom layer. The next piece will be 1/2 the half-inch piece. The next piece will be 1/4, then 1/8, then 1/16.
Step 4. Begin preparing the first layer of wax. Start with the wax mixture that has the most crayon in it. Microwave until soy wax has completely melted. (Microwaves vary, start at 2 minutes and add more time in 30-second increments if needed.) Note: The soy wax will be completely melted but the crayon will not be blended; it’ll just be sort of sitting there in the bottom of the Dixie cup.
Step 5. Add 2 drops of essential oils to the melted wax and crayon mixture.
Step 6. Stir with a plastic spoon to fully incorporate the crayon color into the soy wax.
Step 7. Place the wood wick into the sustainer. Note: Depending on your wicks you may want to double up and use 2 pieces of wicks for 1 sustainer. This makes a more robust flame.
Step 8. Dip the bottom of the sustainer in the tinted wax and place in the center of the bottom of the jar; press firmly. Wait a few minutes until wax starts to harden.
Step 9. Slowly pour first layer of tinted wax into the jar. If the wick moves around, simply move it back to the center position once all the wax is poured. (If needed, secure the wick in place with two strips of tape on top of the jar on either side of the wick.)
Step 10. Wait at least 30 minutes until starting work on the next layer.
Step 11. Repeat the melting and pouring process. Melt wax with crayon piece, add essential oil drop (2 drops per layer), and stir until combined. Then gently pour into jar.
Step 12. Repeat with layer 3, 4, and final 5th layer.
Step 13. Let wax dry until completely set or overnight.
Step 14. Trim wick with scissors. Line up scissors flush with the top of the jar. Hold the wick as you cut off the excess of the wick.
Step 15. Make it giftable. Place the candle into a cellophane bag and secure with a colorful bow. Create a handmade label for the candle using some of the crayon for the design.
