How to Make Your Own Candles

Hello there! I tried my hand at candle making and I must say, it was very satisfying!

The genesis of this project came about when the candle I had was almost empty.  I wanted to reuse the jar it came in. Maybe I could make my own candles instead of buying them? I've always wanted to learn anyway. 

Here's a little trick to get rid of the remaining wax and wick at the bottom of the jar:  put the jar in the freezer. After about 20 minutes take the the jar out and the wax will easily pop out...TADA!

Peel off the labels and clean the jar with soap and water. Now they look brand new! (As you can see, I've amassed a number of jars already).

We will also need some wicks and wax. I got these at the craft store.

I attached the wick to the base of the jar with a little hot glue. Then I wrapped the wick around a skewer/chopstick so that when the wax is poured later on, the wick remains centered. 

It's important to protect our work area so we don't leave any wax during and after the process. I used scrap paper and secured it with tape.

I wan't sure how many candles I would be able to make so I prepared several jars.  

Take the wax and chop it into smaller chunks or shavings. Use a knife and chopping board that's exclusively for crafting. Never use the same utensils for meal prep. Wax and food should not mix.  That would be blah. 

The smaller the chunks, the faster they will melt. 

Place the wax chunks in a heat-resistant container. I used this heat-proof measuring cup because it had a spout that will make it easier to pour. 

Attach a thermometer to the cup, keeping it in place with a bulldog clip. Make sure the tip of the thermometer is inside the wax. 

Find a medium-sized pot (it should be able to fit the heat-proof measuring cup) and fill it half-way with tap water. Put the measuring cup (containing the wax and thermometer) inside the pot. Turn on the heat (medium) and allow the water to boil.

The wax should be fully melted. Keep an eye on the thermometer and check your package instructions to know what temperature you need to reach before you can take the wax away from the heat. Mine said 180 degrees Fahrenheit (82.2 degrees Celsius).  

At this point, do not leave this project unattended even if the wax takes time to melt (it took about 30 minutes for me). 

 

Carefully remove the heat-proof measuring cup from the pot and let it rest on a trivet or pot holder. Carefully remove the thermometer and bulldog clip. At this point you can add scent (fragrance oil for candles). Stir well with a skewer or chopstick.

Allow the wax to cool to approximately 175 degrees Fahrenheit (79.4 degrees Celsius). Use the thermometer to check. 

Place the jars on a flat, covered surface and slowly pour in the wax. Judge how full you want your jar to be. 

Allow the wax to cool overnight. Put them where the children and pets can't reach them. 

With scissors, trim the wick to 1/4 inch.

I was able to fill these two jars with a half pound of wax (half of the package).

Remember to label all materials "For crafts" and never use them when making meals. Store these in a separate cupboard so nobody at home accidentally uses them.  

And that is how I turned empty jars from blah to TADA! Woohoo!

Treasures from the Trash: A Leaning Shelf

Hello there! Today I'm going to show you a piece of free furniture. I found it in the trash/recycling room of our apartment building.

Are you ready?

It's a handsome leaning shelf. It was missing one level and some screws had to be tightened.  

I was there for a good 15 minutes assessing, questioning, "Should I take it?" If we had room in our apartment I would have, no questions asked. But I didn't.

Using some photos I found on the web, here are some ideas on how I would turn it from blah to TADA!

via Pinterest

I would make my very own urban jungalow and fill every inch with plants.

via Pinterest

Or I would reconfigure the leaning shelf to add a desk and chair to liven up a tight corner.

via Pinterest

I have a lot of books and a new shelf will give them a new home.  

via Pinterest

It'll look good in the bathroom, too, dressed up with toiletries and accessories.

via Pinterest

I can also remove the existing shelves and replace them with towel rods.

via Pinterest

Or I can use dowels and hang a few storage bins.

via Pinterest

I can turn the leaning shelf into a ladder for towels.

via Pinterest

Or use as a display stand for throws, quilts, and blankets.

I hope these ideas have inspired you to give your unused or broken furniture new life and turn them from blah to TADA!

Handmade Chocolate

Chocolate making was one of my favorite things to learn in pastry school. Tempering can be a bit of a challenge but can be improved upon with practice.

So here I am. Practicing.

I made these chocolate bars.

I flavored them with dried mission figs, walnuts, cocoa-dusted almonds, and sea salt.

These ingredients bring different textures and flavors to a plain bar.

I wrapped each bar in foil to preserve freshness.

Inspired by beautifully wrapped artisinal chocolates like this one and this one, I chose to wrap my chocolate in a pretty print. 

This is scrapbook paper from my paper stash, but you can use giftwrap...there are so many pretty ones available!

Now that the bars are all neatly wrapped, it's time to make a label.

I'm using navy sticker paper and a white pen to write the name (I'm using "Handmade Chocolate" for now) and the ingredient list. It's also good to write a "Best Before" date.

Stick the label on! This is the front side.

And the back side.

Here are my chocolate bars, ready to be given away...TADA!

Crafty Uses for Old Postage Stamps

I am still a big supporter of snail mail. I enjoy selecting the stationery, writing a meaningful message, and choosing the perfect postage stamp.

Postage stamps are a story in themselves. They show a portrait of their country of origin. They could be patriotic or religious, show pride for their citizens, are lovers of nature, or have a sense of humor. Did you know that you can buy cancelled stamps in thrift stores and from on-line sellers?

Here's my little collection, cut out from Christmas cards and letters I've accumulated over the years. I keep them and use them for crafting. 

Curious? Let me show you:

I use postage stamps to wrap presents. 

A blah brown paper package. But when tied up with string and embellished with ephemera, washi tape, and rubber stamps, it turns into TADA!

Another version with just string and postage stamps.

Next is a ceramic catch-all dish:

This was a plain white sauce dish that I turned from blah to TADA! I used an air mail envelope, a cancelled postage stamp, and pages from a magazine to give it a new look. I attached these with glue and added a light coating of Mod Podge. 

It's a tiny tray to tidy up odds and ends like paperclips, tacks, and rubber bands.

I've got another idea:

Turn the postage stamps into fridge magnets...TADA!

Find the ones you want to use (I'm using an all bird theme).

Take a sheet of self-adhesive magnets.

Attach the stamps in a corner but make sure to reinforce with glue.

Then cut them into individual or duo magnets. Notice that I tried my best to keep the perforated sides for added postal charm.

Add a few drops of dimensional magic glue for a glassy and raised finish. Let dry for a few hours.

Now, you can use them on your refrigerator door...TADA!

And here's another one from the blog archives:

I found an empty plastic box and decorated the top with postage stamps. I carefully selected these characters from cartoons, comics, and story books for a touch of whimsy...TADA! 

And there you have it...crafty ways to turn old postage stamps from blah to TADA!