My DIY Candle

I'm sure you all know by now how much I LOVE to save money.  You may not know, however, that I also really, really like candles.  But... they're kinda expensive, especially for something that you'll end up burning!  They're my little indulgence.  I light a candle most evenings just to enjoy the gentle glow.  A couple of months ago, I got to thinking, "How can I save money on buying candles?"  And I came up with a solution that would involve the help of my dear friend.

You see, my dear friend also enjoys lighting candles, so much so that there's one lit in almost ever room of her house!  The thought of all of the candles in my friend's house combined with my desire to save money on candles resulted in my asking her if she would mind giving me all of her disused candle glasses to attempt to make a new candle with the leftover wax.  My friend very kindly brought me a bag of 20 disused candles with just enough wax in the bottom of each to melt down.

Only problem was that I had never made a candle before.  So I turned to YouTube for help, watched one how-to video then purchased 10x 12/13cm waxed candle wicks on Amazon for £1.67 delivered.  Once delivered, I spent a couple of hours on a Friday evening carefully melting down the wax in a saucepan with about an inch or so of boiling water on the bottom.  I had grouped together the colours so that I could create a layered effect in the glass that I was pouring the melted wax into.  I hot glued the wick into place in the bottom of the jar then carefully poured the melted wax into a new jar, allowing 10-15 minutes of hardening time between each layer... a couple of hours later... viola!... I had a brand new candle that only cost me 17p, a little energy and effort.  How's that for being frugal?!

But wait... there's more!  I then offered the empty glasses from my friend to anyone who would like them on our neighbourhood's Facebook page.  The owner of the local pub asked if she could have them to put on the tables in the pub and offered me a drink for dropping them off.  I declined the kind offer since I didn't have time for a drink that day, but man, that sure would have been a bonus!  

If you make your own candles or are now inspired to make your own, leave a comment below!