Thursday, August 11, 2016

Candle Making And Fixing A Candle

Good Morning! 
When we were kids our parents took us to Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts.
It is one of those living history museums. 



Docents walk around in costumes and give demonstrations.
What was up with those caps? 
They have a similar museum in Lubbock, Texas. 
I have been there once.
Bill insisted that I'd been there before but he was with his other girlfriend.
Awkward.

I will warn you that I am a speed museum patron. 
I can fly through a museum faster than Donald Trump can win a nomination but I love those types of places and enjoy watching the candle making. I always thought it would be fun and that I'd be good at it except that it is probably unbelievably hot standing over one of those vats of hot wax in the summer time.   
My parents were obsessed with putting us in the stocks, however.
 Parental revenge is funny isn't it?
 


Even though I tell myself not to, I set out candles on the deck in the back yard. I'm always hopeful that we will sit outside to the ambiance of candle light. 
It just doesn't happen.

 
On the first warm day the candles have melted and the wick is now hidden inside the wax somewhere. 
 Texas is hot and it is unbelievable how quickly wax can melt. 
Normally, I'll just throw the candles out but this year I was so pleased at my assortment of green candles, I decided I'd fix them. 


Hobby Lobby had a package of wicks for just $2.79.
I remelted each candle in the microwave until I could break apart the wax and move it to another container and so I could dig out the old wick. 
The wick has a metal base that can't be heated in the microwave. 
Once the wax is moved to the plastic container, I heated it until the wax was completely melted. 
This only takes about a minute or so.
 

The glass candle holders needed some cleaning up. 
Heating them a little in the microwave allows the wax to melt so it is easier to get a rag around inside to clean them. 

Candles that have been fixed.

A dot of wax on the metal end of the new wick will help it stand up in the glass jar.
Pour wax over the wick. 
Let it cool. 

Green lit candles

How fun was this? 
I felt just like an Early Colonial! 

Roses, Mason Jars, Green Candles

The house smelled amazing.
Have a great day!
Katie

9 comments :

  1. Love the candle making! I'm going to have try this myself. Thanks for sharing. :)

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  2. Aren't you smart to get new wicks. I usually just put mine on a candle melter and call it good.

    Have you ever accidentally melted some of those wonderful candles in your car? Mmmm....smells great!

    I love the way you wove your memories into this post. :)

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  3. This is a great idea! Love your little seating area :) So pretty! Cute photo of you as a child. x Karen

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  4. Good for you. That was a 21st century way of thrifty candlemaking.

    Please drop by and say hello!
    ஐღLauraღஐ
    Harvest Lane Cottage
    ...doing what I can with what I've got where I am
    on a short shoestring budget!
    ~~~~~

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Katie,
    Such a nifty and creative mindset you have here in fixing these candles up. You will be one of our features this week at Thoughts Of Home On Thursday.
    Jemma

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  6. Great job giving those candles another life, Katie! Such a pretty outdoor space, too. Thanks for linking up at Best to the Weekend!

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  8. Such a nifty and creative mindset you have here in fixing these candles up. You will be one of our features this week at Thoughts Of Home On Thursday.
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