THE CAVENDER DIARY

My friend Stephen makes the most amazing candles.

He upcycles bits of leftover candles, that his family and friends give him, and melts them into layers of color.

For years we’ve begged him to sell them. But he says that he only makes them for himself and gifts. If it became a career, there wouldn’t be any fun left in it.

I understand what he means.

Check out these beauties that we made for gifts this year.

Wanna make your own? It’s much easier than you may think.

Here’s what ya need……

Melting the wax chips is really pretty easy.

I melt them in a tin can with a spout that I formed with pliers. With the flame on high heat, and an old pot filled with a couple of inches of water, I use a chopstick to stir until everything is completely melted.

The wax chips melt down pretty fast, so I keep adding them and stirring until my melted wax is about and inch from the top of the can.

When it’s completely melted, it’s time for the wax color. The lines on the color bar denote where to slice for about a pound of wax. I chopped it a little finer to speed up the melting process.

Just that small amount makes the white wax a deep, deep burgundy red.

I remove the melted wax from the heat and stir in the fragrance oils. Never mix in the oils while the wax is still on the stove or all the scent will dissolve.

We did a mix of flavors this year (Yes, you can mix them)…and added equal amounts of Red Currant, Christmas Tree, and Pomegranate Punch. (Maybe about a 1/8 ounce of each flavor)

I found our fragrances online at CandleScience.com. About 2 bucks a bottle.

I had ordered some 8oz amber jars online, that just never arrived, (Huge Sigh)

So for a quick fix……we used 8oz drinking glasses. Found a dozen at a thrift store for 25 cents each……and wouldn’t ya know it, Target sells the same thing for a buck.

Before I pour in the wax, I positioned a medium wick in the center of each glass held in place with a chopstick, laid across the glass, and a clothes pin clipping the 2 together.

Like so……..

Looks like a half of a glass of red wine with a wick.

Wax will settle as it cools, so I only fill them about half way at first. After about an hour I add a second layer of wax.

As the wax cools, the color lightened from a deep wine to a deep pink. Live and learn. This is the first time I’ve ever used the colors…next time I’ll add more.

For labels, I went to Vistaprint.com. just like last year when we made flavored vodka.

Really simple.

• Upload a background image
• Add text.
• 50 cents each
• They arrive in about 4 days
• Wrap them around the glass.

We made a dozen candles in an afternoon,

They smell like a sweet, fruity holiday punch.

Told y’all they were easy to make.