Cozy DIY Beeswax Candles in Thrifted Vintage Glass Jars

Cozy DIY Beeswax Candles in Thrifted Vintage Glass Jars are a wonderful way to add charm and warmth to your home. Simple, sustainable, and full of character, this project is perfect for those who love a little upcycling charm.

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There’s something truly magical about transforming old candles and glass jars from thrift stores into stunning, homemade beeswax candles. The process is soothing, the result is beautiful, and the impact is eco-friendly. My inspiration came from a vintage glass sugar jar or you can even use a new or vintage tea cup. I found this vintage sugar jar at a local thrift store—the perfect vessel for a handmade candle.

With local organic beeswax or beeswax pellets, a candle wick, and a bit of melted wax, you can transform a thrifted glass jar into a glowing, cozy element for your home. These DIY candles are such a joy to create and offer a beautiful way to add warmth and charm to your space—or to make a thoughtful, handmade gift for someone special.

Not only are these diy candles a joy to make, but they’re also an excellent way to add comfort and charm to your home or create a thoughtful gift.

Ready to dive in? Let’s make your next candle making project unforgettable.

A hand lighting a beeswax candle in a vintage glass jar. The setup includes soft lighting, a coral waffle-knit cloth, and baby’s breath flowers, creating a cozy, cottage-style aesthetic.

What You’ll Love About This DIY

Eco-friendly materials – Using local farmers market beeswax or store bought beeswax pellets and thrifted glass containers, this project is both sustainable and beautiful.
Simple and affordable – With just a few supplies and minimal extra cost, you can create stunning homemade candles.
Customizable charm – From scented candles with essential oils to personalized candle holders, the possibilities are endless.

A flat lay of candle-making materials on a warm-toned, textured surface. Items include metal wick holders, a vintage glass jar with a lid, cotton wicks, and organic beeswax rounds. The background features a crocheted lace tablecloth and dried baby's breath flowers, adding a cozy and vintage aesthetic.

Materials You Will Need for DIY Beeswax Candles

Beeswax pellets or Blocks of Beeswax: The star of the project, providing a clean burn and cozy glow.
Candlewick: Essential for lighting your candle; choose the appropriate size for your glass container.
Thrifted glass jars or tea cups: Perfect vessels for your candles; look for sturdy options at thrift stores.
Double boiler or glass bowl or an Instant Pot: Use these to safely melt your beeswax pellets over low heat.
Stock pot: Serves as the base for your double boiler, ensuring a smooth melting process.
Metal Wick Holder, Wooden skewer or chopstick: Keeps the candle wick centered during pouring.
Essential oils (optional): Add a custom scent for a romantic evening or relaxing atmosphere.

Step-by-Step Guide to Make Cozy DIY Beeswax Candles

Step One: Prepare Your Workspace

Set up a safe and organized area for your project. Lay down newspaper or a protective surface to catch any spills. Gather all your materials, ensuring they are within easy reach. Clean and dry your candle containers, such as thrifted glass jars or tea cups, to remove dust or residue.

Close-up of an Instant Pot with a stainless steel pitcher inside on a trivet, showing the process of melting beeswax for DIY candles.

An Instant Pot with a stainless steel pitcher on a trivet inside, used for melting beeswax. A warm kitchen setup with vintage copper and glassware is visible in the background.

Step Two: Melt the Beeswax

Using locally rendered organic beeswax from the farmers market, place your beeswax into a stainless steel wax melting pot. Prepare your Instant Pot (or double broiler on stove top) as a double boiler by placing the wire rack inside and adding 3 cups of water. Set the stainless steel melting pot on the wire rack and select the “Saute” function at low or medium heat. Stir the wax occasionally with a wooden skewer as it melts, being careful not to overheat. The gentle steam ensures the wax melts evenly and prevents scorching.

Step Three: Secure the Wick

Attach a candle wick to the bottom of your glass jar or tea cup using a dab of melted wax or a wick sticker. Center the wick and secure it in place by laying a skewer or chopstick across the top of the jar, wrapping the wick around it to hold it upright. Or use a metal wick holder. We use and love both he metal wick holder does do a better job but in a pinch, a bamboo screwer is a great wick holder.

Pouring melted beeswax from a stainless steel pitcher into a vintage glass jar with a wick holder in place, resting on a coral waffle-knit cloth for a cozy presentation.

Step Four: Pour the Wax

Once the beeswax is fully melted, carefully pour it into the prepared glass container, leaving about half an inch of space at the top. Adjust the wick if necessary to ensure it remains centered. Allow the wax to cool and harden completely, which may take 30 to 45 minutes depending on the size of the container.

A beeswax candle in a vintage glass jar with its matching glass lid beside it, styled on a coral waffle-knit cloth and surrounded by baby’s breath flowers for a cottage-inspired look.

Step Five: Trim the Wick

When the wax has fully hardened, trim the wick to approximately half an inch. This helps ensure that the candle burns evenly and prevents excessive smoke or soot.

A lit beeswax candle in a vintage glass jar, emitting a warm, soft glow. The setup is styled with a coral waffle-knit cloth and delicate baby’s breath flowers for a serene ambiance.

Enjoy your cozy beautiful candle!!

Tips

Melt the wax slowly over low heat to prevent burning.
Pour the wax into layers to avoid sinkholes forming on the surface of the candle.
Use essential oil diffusers to test scents before adding them to your wax.

How Long Will It Take To Make DIY Beeswax Candles?

This project takes about 1 hour, including setup and cleanup.

Most of the time is spent waiting for the wax to melt and cool.

A Pinterest pin featuring a glowing beeswax candle in a vintage glass jar, styled with a matching glass lid, coral waffle-knit cloth, and baby’s breath flowers for a cozy cottagecore vibe. The text overlay reads, “Cozy DIY Beeswax Candles,” with the website “themoderndaycottage.com” below, inviting viewers to explore a homemade candle-making tutorial.

DIY FAQs

How do I avoid sinkholes in the candles?

Pour the wax slowly and in layers, allowing each layer to cool slightly before adding the next. This helps maintain a smooth surface.

Can I reuse old candles for this project?

Yes, old candles can be melted and repurposed for a budget-friendly option. Simply remove any debris or burnt wicks before using.

What’s the best way to clean up wax spills?

Allow the wax to cool and harden, then scrape it off gently. Use a hairdryer to soften stubborn spots for easier removal.

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