How to Make a Lacy, Ice Candle

Many of us are involved in a love affair with candles. Tapers, pillars, votives, tea lights the type of candles available commercially is nearly endless and they often come in a variety of scents. However, the cost of commercial candles can add up quickly. The following project involves making a large, lacy and icy looking candle with low cost items such as milk cartons, ice, melted candle wax (feel free to scavenge the wax from old candles) and a taper candle.

Begin the project by procuring milk cartons. If you wish to make a tall, pillar sized candle use 1 qt. milk cartons, for small candles use smaller pint milk cartons. Make sure to wash the cartons thoroughly (but quickly so you don't ruin the carton) with warm, soapy water immediately after you pour the milk out of them. Gently dry the cartons with a soft cloth after washing them and then smell them. If you detect any scent of milk rinse the cartons with a solution of 1/4 cup baking soda mixed with 1 qt. hot water, then rinse them again with plain water. This should remove any residual milk scent. After your cartons are clean, dry and odor free they are ready to use as a candle mold.

After preparing the milk cartons procure wax of your choice to fill the mold with. Melting wax from old candles and reusing it in this project is a great way to conserve. It also gives you a chance to easily add scents to your candle if you choose to melt down old scented candles. After choosing your wax set it aside until later.

Prepare the mold by cutting the top of the milk carton off so all that is left of the carton is the straight, narrow part. After removing the top of the carton coat it with non-stick cooking spray such as Pam or a generic equivalent. This step is essential to ensure that the wax does not stick to the side of the carton; if it does your finished candle could be damaged.

When you have prepared your mold you are ready to place the taper candle in the middle of it. Use another candle or a punk to melt the bottom of the taper enough to dribble wax in the middle of the bottom of the mold. Then press the taper candle firmly in the wax; continue pressing firmly until the wax solidifies and stabilizes the candle. If the candle does not stand straight when you let go, repeat the process melting a little more wax this time and hold the candle in the melted wax a little longer.

After you have secured your taper you are ready to make the rest of the candle. Place the wax that you choose inside a small to medium size saucepan. Then fill a larger pot halfway up with water which you will heat to boiling. While the water in the large pot is heating up place the small to medium size saucepan on top of the large pan. You will need a pan that fits partially or right on top of the large pan. The two pan method will function as a double boiler allowing you to gently melt the wax without scorching it. Stir the wax frequently.

When the wax is 3/4 of the way melted fill your greased candle mold with ice cubes. After pouring in the ice cubes return to the wax and stir it quickly while it finishes melting. As soon as the wax has melted and gotten hot pour it into the mold. How long the wax will take to cool and set depends on the size of your candle and the type of wax that you used. I suggest waiting for 20 to 30 minutes and then gently pressing on the top and sides of the candle. If the candle doesn't give it is ready to remove from the mold.

To easily remove the candle from the mold simply peel the carton off of the candle; the cooking spray you used makes this part easy. When you look at your finished candle you will soon discover that the melting ice gorgeous, lacy, crystalline looking gaps in the candle. You can easily customize this candle for nearly any holiday or occasion by using themed colors or scents to fit the event.