When I shared the tutorial for my DIY Earl Grey Tea scented soy candle, I hinted that I’d actually made many more. Did you spot them in Hello Holiday? Customized candles are such a great handmade gift idea. The instructions on Hello Yellow are a little more in depth, so if you’re thinking of making some poured soy candles as gifts, check out the tutorial. I used a variety of vintage vessels and that’s really the key to making one-of-a-kind candles.
I think this trio is my favorite – I love the gold wheat sheaf design. I thrifted the set and always hoped to find a fourth, but no such luck.
This grey sugar bowl – with an iridescent glaze and tomato red trim – was actually something I scooped up at from the good neighbor shed. I had to save it – it was too beautiful to get trashed.
This beautiful gold dish was another thrift store score – I had been looking for more of these for years, hoping to make a set, but I never found another one. I’m happy I could give it a new lease on life as a candle! (Now I’ll probably find a set of three at the thrifts…)
This set of four glasses just would not sell in my vintage Etsy shop and it was heart-breaking to see them languish on my shelf. I love how the white candle wax really helps the design stand out now.
This pink milk glass goblet was picked up at a yard sale.
I have used this glass dish all over the house: as a mini planter, as a catch all and now, as a candle.
The matching creamer to this Sadler sugar bowl was broken, so I thought it was a perfect excuse to use it as a candle.
I’d been setting aside potential candle vessels for about year and while I can’t say I loved making candles (it takes a long time and is kind of fussy), seeing the beautiful assortment of one-of-a-kind soy candles I created was definitely worth it! This is such a great way to re-purpose vintage wares that might have otherwise reached the landfill.
I hope these ideas have inspired you to turn some lonely glasses and bowls into gorgeous soy candles! Don’t forget to check out Hello Yellow for all the details and tons of step-by-step photos.
Hi Tanya, what a great tutorial! Thanks for this – I can already think of one sugar bowl with a broken lid which would work perfectly here.
Perfect! I hope you have fun making candles! If I can make a recommendation: gather a few vessels and make a batch – it's a lot of prep, so it's nice to make a bunch at once. And please show me if you make some 🙂
I am completely inspired. I think I'll go thrifting tomorrow. 🙂
Hope you find something great! 🙂
Maybe they will sell now in the shop as candles? They are too cute. I like the ice looking sugar bowl one. Is it the same maker as all those candle sticks you have on the buffet? They look kind of similar in style.
I think making candles for a living would be so much fun! Not sure mine are perfect enough, though. I bought that glass dish because it looked like Iittala – happy you think the same! It isn't, though – it might be Party Light or something because I've seen a few at the thrift stores.