Homemade candles: how to turn your tins into gorgeous decorations

Creating your own homemade candles is actually really easy and is a lovely way to make use of second hand or vintage boxes. You could even use food tins – you know, like one of those retro-looking tomato or olive tins (ask in restaurants if they have any going, that's how we got our impressive collection). Anyway, to learn how to transform whatever tins you choose into gorgeous candles, keep reading...

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You will need:

• Wick sustainers
• Wick
• Wax adhesive
• Vintage tins
• Soy wax
• Basic candle-making kit 
• Small pliers
• Wooden skewer
• Scissors

Before you start

Before filling a tin with wax, pour water into it to make sure it is watertight. The tins will become very hot when lit so they are best placed on a surface that will not scorch.

Step one: how to make a candle wick

For a long tin, cut three lengths of wick long enough to fit in the tin, plus about 5cm. Using the pliers, fasten a wick sustainer to one end of each length of wick.

Step two: Secure the wicks in place

Using three small pieces of wax adhesive, stick the wicks to the bottom of the long tin, spacing them out evenly.

Step three: space out the wicks

Cut a piece of wooden skewer so that it can rest across the rim of the tin. Tie the wicks to it, making sure that they are taut.

Step four: Melt the wax

Melt the wax in the double boiler until it reaches 60°C.

Step five: Pour the wax

Pour the wax into the jug, then carefully pour it into the tin, stopping about 1cm before the rim.

Step six: trim the wicks

Leave to harden completely. Slide the skewer out of the knots and trim the wicks down to about 2cm.

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