How To Repurpose An Old Chip N' Dip Bowl Into A Luxe-Looking Candle On A Budget
You know all those vintage bowls and serving platters that seem to stack up at vintage and thrift stores collecting dust? There is almost always a chip and dip platter hanging out in the miscellaneous aisle at your local Goodwill, and no one ever seems to grab it. You might even have one of these bowls lying around already, and if you do, it's about to become one of your most used pieces — but for a different purpose. If you're working with the plastic version, these are better left for the recycle bin, but if you have a ceramic or glass chips and dip bowl, you can turn these into a multiple wick candle for any surface in your home. All you need is an old candle or some wax pearls and wicks!
While other ideas like repurposing a cookie jar to make a candle are also great, this really unique DIY will give you a one of a kind design. The center compartment is perfect for showing off any kitschy matchbooks you own — or gives you a great excuse to buy more. Here's how to create this chip and dip candle DIY that will bring a welcoming glow to your home.
Upcycle your bowl by adding wicks and wax
After cleaning and drying the chips and dip bowl, melt your candle wax pearls, such as American Soy Organics Freedom Soy Wax. Use a double boiler or non-food pot for melting the wax pearls, then stick your wicks to the bowl and fill up the chip portion completely with wax, allowing it to cool properly. You can use chopsticks to hold the wicks upright if needed. Add fun elements inside the wax area like crystals, heat-safe figurines, shells, or other décor to spice it up a little. Once cool, trim the wicks so they are ready to be lit when it's time to use your new candle.
Most chipped dishes are not worth keeping, but if your bowl is a little worse for wear, find an acrylic paint color you like and paint the exterior to give it a fresh look. Depending on the color of your chips and dip bowl, you can play around with the color of wax, too. Use similar wax color for a luxe monochrome look or switch it up with a brightly dyed wax! The attached dip bowl is a great spot for keeping matchbooks and boxes, making them easily accessible for lighting your wicks. It also gives you a place to show off your matchbooks, whether you collect them from traveling or order special designs. Pro Tip: you can make your candles last longer by trimming the wicks as they get longer and by letting the whole surface of the wax melt the first time you light it to avoid memory rings.