DIY Candy Cane Swirl Candles - Mid Michigan Mom

Looking for an inexpensive yet personalized gift for the neighbor or teacher? Candy Cane Swirl Candles are an option if you have the basic understanding on how to make candles. If you don’t, I have a short cut that you can use to get the same results.

Please practice fire safety and common sense when attempting this craft. We are not responsible for injuries that may occur during the candle making process.

Materials:

Crayons
2 old pots for melting wax or
Hot Glue gun
to keep wick centered

How to:

Gather Materials

Buy Mason Jars…or you can save empty ones. Baby food jars are easier to manage while organic peanut/almond butter jars are perfect for gifts.

For this project, I used white and red candles/crayons for a traditional candy cane look.

You can purchase wax from any craft store or to use old broken candles to save money. I find broken or partially burnt candles at estate sales and buy them with the intention of repurposing them into new candles.

Prepare wax (if recycling candles)

If you are using old candles, you can save the wicks by cutting the wax away from the wick. I won’t lie, this part is an extreme pain. You can cut the candles up, melt and fish out the wicks if you prefer.

Melt the wax

This is also where you would add whichever scents you prefer. Peppermint maybe?

And the crayons

Center and Glue wicks to jars

Before pouring the wax into the jars, hot glue the metal base of the wick to the bottom center of the jar.

This will make it much easier to keep the wick straight and centered while it is setting.

Clip Wick into place and Pour Wax

You MUST hold the wick in place while it is setting! The wick will soften and sag into the wax if it is not held in place. I use a hair clip, I have seen wooden rods used as well.

Remember, BEFORE you pour the wax in, ensure that the wick is centered. This impacts how the candle will burn and where the melted wax pools as the candle burns.

Allow to cool slightly

Allow the candle to cool for approximately 20 minutes.

Swirl

Before it hardens completely, add the contrasting color and swirl!

Unfortunately, I did not get pictures of the actual swirling process. Time is of the essence when it comes to melted wax! Just remember to heat, poke (optional), fill with the contrasting color and SWIRL!

How to swirl with a bought candle

If candle making is not an option, similar results can be made with a bought jar candle. Melt the contrasting color preferably in crayon (it is thicker than candle wax). Using a heat gun or a powerful blowdryer, heat the outside of the jar to melt the wax slightly. It should be soft enough to poke holes with a shish kabob stick. Pour melted crayon into the holes. Swirl.

This post was put together as a part of a fun Christmas DIY link party, coordinated by Teresa from Crafty Wife! Check out all of the posts for Christmas inspiration.

What DIY Christmas gifts do you have on your agenda?

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An InLinkz Link-up

http://www.craftywife.com/ Teresa

So I’ve never made my own candles but you make it look so easy that I want to try! And peppermint is my favorite during the holiday’s so of course that’s the scent I’d use. Thank you so much for sharing!
- https://midmichiganmom.com MidMichigan Mom
  
  Hi Teresa! Making candles can be fun…and a bit messy, but aren’t all the good crafts that way? Thank you for stopping by and commenting but most of all, for organizing this fun craft hop!
http://www.happilyeverafteretc.com Betsy Smith

I love how these turned out! They’re so cute! I bought several candles at a thrift store last month with no idea what to do with them… this is a great idea!
- https://midmichiganmom.com MidMichigan Mom
  
  There you go Betsy! I am always on the look out for candles because you can usually get them for super cheap or free…especially the broken ones!
DIY Just Cuz

Wow Lyn these are so cute! I have never made candles before but you really make it look simple – I can totally imagine that time is really important. Sometimes I get frustrated with the picture-taking process of making tutorials because of that time factor, it makes it really hard to finish the project when you’re snapping photos. Also, can I please just comment and say this snow on your website is SO cool! I was reading the post and like…what the heck..it’s SNOWING. I love it
- https://midmichiganmom.com MidMichigan Mom
  
  Thanks for stopping by Sam! *sigh* Picture frustrations are the story of my life. I’d say one out of every 3 crafts that I have to “re-enact” something because I completely forgot to take a picture! I’m glad that you like the snow. I am going back and forth whether to change the background for this month to show it more. Decisions!
http://www.wifeinprogressblog.com Jenna

As a kid, I used to make candles all the time. I’m not sure why I stopped because it’s such a great way to reuse old candles and makes a fab gift! Nicely done!
http://thetiffanyproject.com/ Tiffany Jay

These are so cute! I’ve honestly never thought to use old candles to make NEW candles – duh! You make this look so easy, I may actually have to try my hand at it! Thank you for sharing!
http://craftivitydesigns.blogspot.com Lora @ Craftivity Designs

This was really interesting! I’ve never made my own candles and would have had no idea how to get a swirled effect. What a simple Christmas or hostess gift!
http://asimplergrace.blogspot.com/ Lecy | A Simpler Grace

I love making candles and always use up the tail ends of the ones I’ve burned, but I’ve never swirled colors before. What a neat idea. Thanks for sharing with the blog hop!
http://totravelandbeyond.com/ Macy Volpe

I had no idea you could make candles this easily, I need to give it a try!
http://www.dearcreatives.com/ DearCreatives.com

Cute idea. Love how easy it is to make. They would make great gifts.
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