Repurpose A Thrifted Cookie Jar To Make A Massive And Gorgeous Candle

Cookie jars are a classic home decor element and are reminiscent of fond childhood memories. So, it might be difficult to leave behind the adorable cookie jar you find browsing the shelves of your local thrift store. But what next? What do you do with the jar once you bring it home? You could always use it to house your sewing kit, coffee pods, craft supplies, and other odds and ends. However, if you'd rather not trick your friends and family into reaching for the appetizing container only to come up empty-handed, repurpose the vintage cookie jar as a candle instead.

Besides putting your thrifted cookie jar to good use, you'll have the freedom to customize your candles to a T. Plus, you don't have to worry if you end up making more candles than required. You can always gift them to your near and dear ones. The best part, though? You'll just need some wax and a couple of wicks to turn your cookie jar into a gorgeous candle. Buy some wax or coax out the leftovers in your old candles. Unsure how to achieve the latter? Remove leftover candle wax from jars with a simple vinegar trick. While these are the key supplies, you'll need a few other items to craft a massive cookie jar candle.

Wax is the most important item for your DIY project. But what type of wax do you choose? Do you go with paraffin, soy, beeswax, or splurge on coconut wax? There's no wrong answer here and it completely depends on your preferences and budget. For instance, go with paraffin wax if you want something that's widely available and can be used for varied kinds of candles (think pillar, cookie jars, leftover mason jars, and more). The only caveat? You'll have to deal with soot. If you require an environmentally friendly alternative, purchase soy wax. On the flip side, the wax is a little challenging to turn into a candle. Beeswax is a good option, too. However, if budget isn't an issue, go for coconut wax. Want the best of all the four worlds? Try out a blended variety.

Once you pick the wax you need, grab a few wicks, color blocks (liquid varieties work, too), and your preferred fragrance. Although you might be tempted to use the food coloring you have on hand, avoid this. This is because it's water-based and will have trouble dissolving in the oil-based wax. Customize the color and scent based on the occasion or season you'll be burning the candle in. For instance, a candy-scented candle mimicking autumnal shades will be perfect for use in fall. Additionally, get a candle- or candy-making thermometer, knife (if the wax comes in a block), wooden spoon, and double boiler.

The first step is to clean your cookie jar and remove sticky labels from its surface. Now, dry the container and determine the amount of wax you'll need to fill it. Guesstimate the amount or pull out your weighing scale and pour water inside the empty jar to find the accurate figure. Next, chop your wax block into smaller chunks and put them inside a double boiler (a microwave works, too) to melt them at 180 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit. Don't heat the container with wax directly since it's flammable and might catch fire if overheated.

After the wax melts, mix some color block flakes with a wooden spoon to obtain the desired shade. Take the wax out of the boiler and put in a few drops of your chosen fragrance. This is necessary to keep the scent intact, since heat weakens its potency. Give the mixture a stir and set it aside to cool. Get your cookie jar and place a couple of wicks at the bottom. Use glue dots or wick sustainer tabs and tie off their tops with a chopstick, pencil, or metal wick holder to secure them to the jar. Test the temperature of the wax solution and pour it inside the jar when it reaches 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Leave it overnight (or at least four hours) to solidify. In case there's an unsightly hole near the wick, re-melt some wax and pour a thin layer on top to even out the surface. Let it solidify before trimming the wick to ¼ or ⅛ inch, and your cookie jar candle is ready! Take it a step further and decorate it with twine, glitter, or pressed flowers.