Can Do Candles / DIY

Don't you just hate it when the wick of a candle burns down long before the wax is used up?  Here's a clever way to help make your favorite candle last a little while longer.  I borrowed the idea from my friend, Julie.  One evening while I was at her house, I noticed she had a candle sitting in a pan of water on the stove.  The candle had burned down to the point to where the wick was too short to light.  However, there was still leftover candle wax.  By melting the candle on the stove in a pan of warm water, the scent of the candle continued to fill the room. 

I carried Julie's idea one step further creating a "new" candle by adding purchased wick to the leftover wax.  The above candle is actually the leftover wax from three different containers of my favorite candle ~ the best candle on the planet!  Find it here.    
 
Below is a list of supplies needed to complete this project:

Used Candle (one with the wick burned down)
Saucepan
Oven Mitt
Candle Wicks
Empty Container (Clean ~ glass or metal)

Bowl

Ice Cubes/Water
Scissors



For example purposes, I chose to remelt a candle that Gavin (my youngest) gave me for Christmas.  This time, I only had one candle to melt down so I chose a small pewter container (I had on hand) to become the new container for my candle.

First, I filled a saucepan with water, so it came up to the middle of the candle I was wanting to melt down.  I then placed the candle in the water and turned the heat to medium high. 

As the water heated and the candle started to melt a bit, I turned the heat down to low and allowed time for the candle to melt completely.

For this project, I used candle wick I bought at Michael's ~ they come in a variety of lengths.  I opted to purchase the longest ones they had so they would work for various size candles.  

I positioned the wick so it was centered onto the bottom of the container.

Using the oven mitt, I poured the melted wax into the container.  Be careful...it's HOT!



I then placed the pewter cup into a bowl of cold water to which I added ice cubes. 

This helps speed up the process of hardening the wax (I can be a little impatient at times).

After the wax was completely hardened, I trimmed the wick back to about 1/4". 

Now there's no reason for disappointment when your favorite candle burns down.  This is a simple and easy little project you can do to assure you enjoy a candle until it's all used up.  I hope you give it a try.

On another note, thanks to HGTV.com for featuring one of Tattered Style's ideas.  Check it out here.  You will need to scroll through ~ it's # 9 of 13 photos (Rustic Wine Glass Holder).  I hope you have a lovely week ~ thanks for stopping by.  :)

Lula B's Lamp Find

Recently I was on a buying excursion for an office space I'm designing.  One of the many stops was to Lula B's in Dallas ~ definitely a favorite spot of mine if you are in search of one-of-a-kind incredible vintage pieces.  I spotted this retro cream colored beauty and thought it might be a nice option for a small desk lamp.  But after scouring the store, another lamp became the obvious purchase for my client.  However, I kept going back to this little light and alas ~ I couldn't help myself.  It was yearning to take up space in a dark little corner of my home ~ so here it happily resides. :)

 I love the combination of the clean swirly base with the textured lampshade.  The shade's leather whipstitch is like a cherry on top.

I combined the lamp with this wonderful vintage Swedish cow sign ~ I'll tell my you more about that in another post. I also incorporated some vintage Capiz shell trays into the arrangement ~ Nana bought these in China back in the early 80's.

Capri Blue ~ Volcano

To top off this little grouping, I added in my favorite candle of all time from Anthropologie.  The etched glass container alone is like a fine piece of jewelry to me and the scent ~ well words can't describe.  I remember smiling when a friend of Gavin's came over to visit and I had the candle burning.  He said "This house smells like love" ~ need I say more?  It's wonderful!

I think this charming vignette completes this corner in my home ~ it makes me happy every time I pass by.  I would love to hear about a favorite corner of your home. :)