Looking for a unique yet affordable gift idea, or a chic yet savvy holiday table accent? Transforming thrifted crystal jars into beautiful homemade candles is a simple and memorable DIY project that you or your giftee will love. These DIY crystal jar candles make gorgeous decorations or heartfelt gifts, adding a touch of vintage charm to any space.
Follow this guide for all the steps, supplies, and tips you’ll need to get started! And, for more fun holiday DIYs and entertaining inspiration, head to my party planning page.
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DIY Crystal Jar Candles Supplies:
Most of these items can be found at your local craft store, online, or possibly even in your own kitchen! I’ve linked to those you can find on Amazon to make it easy for you. Also, rest assured that if you have to buy a lot of these items new, they’ll last you for a while, so you can make a TON of candles once you’ve got these supplies on hand.
- Soy wax flakes
- Wax melting/pouring pot
- Large saucepan (to create a double boiler for melting the wax)
- Candle wicks with holders (or pencils to hold wicks in place)
- Thermometer with pot clip
- Kitchen scale
- Scissors
- Thrifted crystal jars (Look for thick, heavy-duty jars that can withstand heat)
- Holiday Fragrance oil (optional, to personalize the scent)
DIY Crystal Jar Candles Instructions:
Follow my step-by-step instructions for crafting these gorgeous DIY crystal jar candles, or watch my reel for a more visual guide!
1. Thrift Your Crystal Jars
Begin by selecting your containers. Look for sturdy, heat-safe crystal jars at thrift stores, or repurpose old crystal containers you already have. Make sure to choose heavy-duty jars that will handle high temperatures well; avoid thin glass as it may crack.
2. Prep Your Jars
Clean and dry your jars thoroughly to ensure the wax adheres well and your candle burns cleanly. Attach a candle wick to the bottom center of each jar. If your wicks come with a sticky base, peel and stick them directly onto the jar’s base. For extra security, wrap the top of the wick around a pencil and rest it across the top of the jar to keep the wick straight and centered.
3. Measure Your Wax and Fragrance
To determine the right amount of wax, fill your container with water until it’s about half an inch from the top, and then weigh this amount in ounces using your scale.
Multiply this water weight by 0.844 to get the weight of the wax needed for each jar.
For fragrance, multiply the wax weight by 0.07 to determine the amount of fragrance oil to add.
I recommend measuring your fragrance out in a small container ahead of time. Put your container on the scale and tare it out (reset to zero). Add fragrance oil until the scale reads the amount you just calculated.
4. Fill and Weigh Your Wax
Place your pouring container on a kitchen scale and tare it (reset to zero). Then, add soy wax flakes until the scale reads the exact wax weight you just calculated.
5. Melt the Wax
Set up a double boiler by filling a large saucepan with water and placing your pouring pot inside. Heat the water to melt the wax, and monitor the temperature until it reaches 180-185°F. Carefully remove the pouring pot from the double boiler.
6. Add Fragrance (Optional)
Transfer the pouring pot to a heat-resistant surface. Add your pre-measured fragrance oil and stir well to combine.
7. Pour the Wax
Allow the wax to cool to 135-140°F before pouring it into your jars. Pour slowly, leaving about half an inch of space at the top of each jar. This gradual cooling process will help the wax set smoothly.
8. Let the Candles Rest
Allow the candles to cool and solidify overnight. Once the wax has fully set, trim the wicks to about a quarter inch above the wax surface.
9. The Big Reveal
Your thrifted crystal jar candles are now ready to burn or gift! The crystal jars will catch the candlelight beautifully for this holiday season, adding a warm, vintage-inspired glow to any room.
Styling and Gifting Ideas
These crystal candles make perfect holiday gifts and home decor accents. For gifting, try pairing them with a decorative box, tying a ribbon around the jar, or adding a tag with the scent name or a personalized message.
These candles are versatile and charming, making them ideal as gifts for friends, family, or even yourself!
