How To Make A Modern 3 Wick Candle Using Mostly Dollar Store Items

Deer Run Revamps
by Deer Run Revamps
9 Materials
$5
45 Minutes
Easy

This is a super easy project, has a high end look, and doesn't look handmade! Plus, you can refill it over and over again.

Everything I used to create this piece was from dollar tree except for the candle wicks, e6000 (but I think you can get small tubes at the dollar tree now), thermometer (pictured further down), and my paint, but you can use any paint.

Read on to see how I made this beautiful modern 3 wick candle for about $5!


*Time estimate Is based off of actual work time, does not include dry times/wax cooling times

Gather your supplies...

You'll need -

*2 bowls that you like the look of when stacked bottom to bottom

*E6000

*Hot glue gun and glue sticks (optional)

*2 candles in tall glass jars (religious candles)

*3 Candle wicks

*Thermometer that is waterproof (most meat thermometers will work)

*Paint

*Baking powder

*Chip brush

Painting is optional


All of these products will be listed below with links to my Etsy shop and Amazon in the materials section


Take your E6000 and carefully line the edge of one of the bowls.

*Optional for extra hold and immediate handling of the bowls...


Since these bowls indented slightly in the middle, I added an extra large dallop of hot glue in the middle and immediately lined the other bowl on top.

If any glue oozes out, immediately remove it.


Set aside and let the glue set

If you used the hot glue, after allowing the glue to dry for a few minutes, you can carefully handle the piece. If you only used E6000, allow it to dry for a minimum of 2 hours before handling.


Mix up your paint.....

To get the texture, I added baking powder to my paint. I used Frenchic Furniture Paint in Cream Dream from their Al Fresco Range. It's a super durable indoor/outdoor paint that doesn't require any primer first and also has a built in topcoat. But, you can use any paint that you have on hand.

Pour about 1/3-1/2 a cup of your paint into a separate container. Then mix in the baking powder. The amount is based on preference. Baking powder gives the paint texture and thickens it up quite a bit. The more baking powder you add, the more texture you'll get. I added about 4 tablespoons. Mix well!

As the paint sits, it'll bubble and fluff up. This fluffy texture along with the chip brush is what will give you the textured look on the piece.

Paint the bowls. I applied a thick coat for the first coat, going around the bowl in lines. I Would press the brush in one spot, then rotate the bowl around so that the brush dragged along in that straight line all the way around the bowl (hopefully this makes sense). After it dried for a couple of minutes and started to get tacky, I went back around the bowl with the paintbrush (with no extra paint on the brush) in the same manner to add more texture to the paint.

I did paint the inside of the bowls as well, and so far I haven't had any issues with burning the candle. But I did allow the paint 4 weeks to cure before adding in the wax and burning the candle.. Frenchic Furniture Paint Al Fresco can withstand the heat.. but I don't recommend painting inside the bowls if you use any other paint or do not want to allow the 4 week cure time before moving on.

I've done a bit of trial and error and found that two of these 8inch tall candles (usually religious candles) fill a typical cereal bowl with a bit of wax leftover.


If you know how to make your own candles, then this is perfect for you! Add in your fragrances, make it any color you'd like, I'd love to even see this with wood wicks! Which I may try next 🤔


Learn how to make a candle wick.

At the time of doing this tutorial, I hadn't figured that out yet, so I used a few different sized candles....


Put hot water in the bowl where the candle will be going and set aside. You want to warm up the bowl so that the wax doesn't separate from the sides.

Make sure the water stays hot, so refill whenever necessary.


Place water in a pot, enough water to cover about 1/3-1/2 of the candle container and bring the water to a bowl. Place the candles in the water and allow the wax to melt, stirring every so often.

Using a pair of thongs, pick out the wicks and set aside

You can use these wicks if they fit in your bowls, or use all new wicks which is what I do. I like all of the wicks to be the same

Once the wax is melted, take it off the heat and allow to cool to 120-150 degrees.....

While the wax is cooling... empty out the bowl and dry it well. Then grab a few skewers, pencils, pens, anything that you have that you can wrap the wick around and rest on the rim of the bowl.

Wrap the wicks around the skewer and position them where you'd like.

This is the exact thermometer that I use

Carefully and slowly pour the melted wax into the bowl. If you pour to quickly, the wicks may move, so just readjust as needed. If you're interested, they do make stickers that you can use to hold the wick in place...these can be found just about anywhere that carries candle making supplies.

The candle container will be hot! So use pot holders, heat resistant gloves, whatever necessary to protect your hands.

Once the wax has completely cooled and hardened, you can trim the wicks to about 1/8-1/4 of an inch.

It even looks pretty before being lit 😍

But it looks so much better with that soft glow 😍


Enjoy your new candle!! ♥️♥️♥️

Look at all that texture!! 😍😍

I'm obsessed!

This candle fits into so many different decor styles, and they make great gifts too!


You can find us and even more home decor ideas, see our refinished furniture, and just chat on our Facebook page

https://m.facebook.com/deerrunrevamps/?ref=bookmarks

Thank you so much for reading! I really hope you've enjoyed this tutorial, and maybe you're even getting ready to head to the dollar tree right now 😆♥️


You can find top brands offering paints, stains, transfers, waxes, silicone molds and so much more in our Etsy shop

Use code THANKYOU10 at checkout to receive 10% off your order!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/DeerRunRevamps


DIY fall candle ideas

For more creative autumnal decor projects, discover Hometalk's best DIY fall candle ideas here.
 

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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
3 of 7 questions
  • Jane Jane on Jul 30, 2022

    how is this a $5 project?

  • Liz Liz on May 08, 2023

    I have made candles with tall dinner candles that I had left over: melted them down and reused the wick they had and one wick from these candles goes a long way and saved me money on buying wicks😉

  • Bella Missy Larz Bella Missy Larz on May 10, 2023

    How much water do I add to the bowl bfor pouring in the melted wax? Do I pour the wax in the water or dump the water first?

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 10 comments
  • Kat Kat on May 11, 2022
    1. be careful with hot glue to hold things with flame - heat could loosen the glue and create hazard E6000 much safer
    2. For gap between bowls I glue dollar store wood pieces or piece of wood shim (narrow end) to one bowl bottom, and top bowl to top of wood piece, Then around bowl edges. Feels more long term
    3. Really pretty project, I feel inspired with the texture ideas. Thank you
  • JH JH on May 08, 2023

    I like this idea, but prefer to not make a candle. These can be adorable as planter, decorative bowls, etc.

    So many ideas can come from this!!

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