DIY Beeswax Candles | Easy Vintage Jar Candles

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These DIY beeswax candles are made by pouring melted beeswax into a vintage glass jar or sturdy teacup, giving you a simple homemade candle without dipping, rolling, or using a mold. Making beeswax candles at home is easier than you might think.

I made mine with locally rendered beeswax and a vintage glass sugar jar I found while thrifting. You can use beeswax blocks or pellets and choose a container you love, which makes each beeswax jar candle a little different.

Once you’ve made your candle, bring it out with your Cozy Cottage Fall Tablescape or use it to add a warm handmade touch to your Cozy Cottage Christmas Table Setting.

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Why You’ll Love This Project

Gives Thrifted Finds a New Purpose – I love finding old glass jars and pretty teacups at the thrift store, and this is such a useful way to bring one home and actually use it.
Simple Poured Method – There’s no dipping or rolling involved. Once your wick is secured, you simply melt the beeswax, pour it into the container, and let it harden.
Beautiful Around the Cottage – The warm golden beeswax paired with a vintage container makes each candle a little different. Use them around your own home, add them to a seasonal table, or make one as a handmade gift.

Supplies To Make This Beeswax Candle

Beeswax – You can use beeswax blocks or pellets. Pellets are especially convenient because the smaller pieces can go right into your melting pot.
Candle Wick – Choose your wick based on the diameter of the container you’re using. This is one supply I wouldn’t guess on because wick size affects how your candle burns. Check the wick manufacturer’s sizing recommendations for your particular jar or teacup.
Vintage Glass Jar or Sturdy Teacup – I used a vintage glass sugar jar I found at a local thrift store. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s clean, completely dry, sturdy, and suitable for candle making.
A full Supply list with exact amounts can be found in the print card below.

Project Variations

Use Beeswax Pellets – If you’re new to candle making, pellets are an easy option because you can measure them out and add them directly to the melting pot without breaking apart a larger block.
Use Beeswax Blocks – Beeswax blocks work just as well for this project. I use locally rendered beeswax, so don’t feel like you need pellets to make a beautiful candle.
Try a Different Vintage Container – This is one of my favorite parts of this project. Look for a pretty vintage glass jar or a sturdy teacup that you’d actually enjoy having out in your home. Just remember that changing the diameter of the container may also mean you need a different wick size.

Emily’s Project Tips

Choose your wick for the container – Wick size matters with beeswax candles, especially when you’re using thrifted containers that can vary quite a bit in diameter. Check the wick manufacturer’s sizing recommendations for the jar or teacup you’re using rather than assuming one wick will work for every candle.
Get the wick centered before you pour – I’ve used both a bamboo skewer and a metal wick holder, and I prefer the metal holder because it keeps the wick more securely in place. Check it again after you pour the wax and make any adjustments before the beeswax starts to harden.
Melt the beeswax gently – I use a double boiler setup rather than putting the melting pot directly over high heat. You can do this on the stovetop or use my Instant Pot method below.
Have your container ready first – Clean and completely dry your jar or teacup and secure the wick before you start pouring. Once the beeswax is melted, everything is ready to go.
Let the candle harden before trimming – Give the beeswax about 30–45 minutes to cool, depending on the size of your container. I wait until the wax is completely firm before removing the wick holder and trimming the wick.

How To Make DIY Beeswax Candles

Prepare your container – Clean and completely dry your vintage glass jar or sturdy teacup. Place it on a protected work surface so it’s ready before you begin melting the beeswax.
Melt the beeswax – Add the beeswax to a stainless steel wax melting pot. For my Instant Pot method, I place a wire rack inside the Instant Pot, add 3 cups of water, then set the melting pot on the rack. Use the Sauté function on low or medium heat and stir occasionally with a wooden skewer while the beeswax melts. You can also gently melt the beeswax using a double boiler on the stovetop.
Secure the wick – Attach the wick to the bottom center of your container with a wick sticker or a small amount of melted beeswax. Use a metal wick holder, bamboo skewer, or chopstick across the top to hold the wick upright and centered.
Pour the beeswax – Once the beeswax is completely melted, carefully pour it into your prepared container, leaving about ½ inch of space at the top. Take another look at your wick after pouring and adjust it while the wax is still liquid if it has shifted off center.
Let the candle harden – Leave the candle sitting undisturbed for about 30–45 minutes, depending on the size of your container. Don’t remove the wick holder until the beeswax is completely firm.
Trim the wick – Once the candle has completely hardened, remove the wick holder and trim the wick to approximately ½ inch. Your homemade beeswax candle is ready.

Storage Suggestions

Keep Them Somewhere Cool and Dry – When I’m not using my beeswax candles, I keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or sunlight.
Protect the Wax Between Seasons – If you’re putting your candles away with seasonal decor, keep them somewhere they won’t be exposed to heat or get knocked around by heavier decorations. A little care helps protect both the beeswax and those one-of-a-kind vintage containers.
Bring Them Back Out With Your Seasonal Decor – These are especially pretty during fall and Christmas. If you’re decorating for the season, they fit naturally alongside the warm, collected pieces in my Cozy Cottage Fall Tablescape or Cozy Cottage Christmas Table Setting Idea.

Ways To Use DIY Beeswax Candles

Add Them to a Seasonal Table – I love the warm glow of beeswax with collected dishes, linens, and other vintage pieces. Use your finished candle as part of a Cozy Cottage Fall Tablescape or bring it out for a Cozy Cottage Christmas Table Setting.
Use Them With Your Seasonal Decor – A vintage jar candle fits right in with the warm, collected look I love around the cottage. For more seasonal inspiration, take a look at my Fall Cottage Porch Decor Ideas.
Make One as a Handmade Gift – A pretty thrifted container makes each candle feel a little different, which is part of what I love about this project. If you’re in the mood to keep making handmade things for Christmas, try my Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments next.

DIY Beeswax Candles FAQs

Yes, absolutely. I make these candles with 100% locally rendered beeswax and don’t add coconut oil or another wax. Beeswax blocks or pellets will both work well for this poured candle method.

Choose your wick based on the diameter of the jar or teacup you’re using. Since thrifted containers come in so many different sizes, I always recommend checking the wick manufacturer’s sizing chart for your specific container rather than guessing.

Yes, but choose your container carefully. I used a vintage glass sugar jar I found at a local thrift store, but a sturdy teacup works beautifully too. Make sure your container is clean, completely dry, sturdy, and suitable for candle making before pouring in the hot beeswax.

No, you don’t need coconut oil for this recipe. I prefer to keep these candles simple and use 100% beeswax, which also lets the beautiful golden color of the locally rendered beeswax shine through.

You’ll want to melt beeswax gently using a double-boiler setup rather than placing it directly over high heat. I like using my Instant Pot with 3 cups of water and a wire rack, but a traditional double boiler on the stovetop works just as well.

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DIY Beeswax Candles in Vintage Glass Jars

Author: Emily Rider

Learn how to make beeswax candles by pouring melted beeswax into thrifted glass jars or vintage teacups for a simple cottage-inspired craft. These DIY beeswax candles are a lovely way to give old containers new life while creating warm, handmade candles for your home or gifting.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep:15

Resting Time:15

Cooling:30

Total:1

Supplies

Protective covering or newspaper
Stainless steel wax melting pot or heat-safe glass bowl
Instant Pot or double boiler
Stockpot, if using a stovetop double boiler
Metal wick holder, wooden skewer, or chopstick
Wooden skewer, for stirring

Elements

▢ Beeswax pellets or blocks of beeswax
▢ Candle wick appropriately sized for the chosen container
▢ Thrifted glass jar or teacup
▢ Wick sticker or a small amount of melted beeswax
▢ Essential oils optional

Instructions

Prepare your container – Clean and completely dry your vintage glass jar or sturdy teacup. Place it on a protected work surface so it's ready before you begin melting the beeswax.
Melt the beeswax – Add the beeswax to a stainless steel wax melting pot. For my Instant Pot method, I place a wire rack inside the Instant Pot, add 3 cups of water, then set the melting pot on the rack. Use the Sauté function on low or medium heat and stir occasionally with a wooden skewer while the beeswax melts. You can also gently melt the beeswax using a double boiler on the stovetop.
Secure the wick – Attach the wick to the bottom center of your container with a wick sticker or a small amount of melted beeswax. Use a metal wick holder, bamboo skewer, or chopstick across the top to hold the wick upright and centered.
Pour the beeswax – Once the beeswax is completely melted, carefully pour it into your prepared container, leaving about ½ inch of space at the top. Take another look at your wick after pouring and adjust it while the wax is still liquid if it has shifted off center.
Let the candle harden – Leave the candle sitting undisturbed for about 30–45 minutes, depending on the size of your container. Don't remove the wick holder until the beeswax is completely firm.
Trim the wick – Once the candle has completely hardened, remove the wick holder and trim the wick to approximately ½ inch. Your homemade beeswax candle is ready.

Notes

Choose the Right Wick – Wick size matters when making beeswax container candles. Choose a wick appropriate for the diameter of your particular jar or teacup rather than treating wick size as one-size-fits-all.

Melting Tip – Melt beeswax gently using the double-boiler method and avoid overheating it. The original project uses either an Instant Pot setup or a traditional stovetop double boiler to provide gentle, indirect heat.

Prevent Sinkholes – Pour the melted beeswax slowly. The original project also recommends pouring in layers and allowing each layer to cool slightly before adding the next if sinkholes are a concern.

Thrifted Container Tip – Vintage sugar jars, glass containers, and teacups give these candles their cottage character. Choose a sturdy container suitable for the project, and make sure it is thoroughly cleaned and dried before adding the wick and hot wax.

Cleanup – Let spilled beeswax cool and harden before gently scraping it from the work surface. For stubborn wax residue, the original project recommends carefully warming it with a hair dryer to soften it before cleanup.

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Emily Rider

Home miller since 1999 with fresh-milled flour & sourdough experience. Sharing from-scratch recipes and traditional kitchen skills, rooted in the seasons and inspired by everyday cottage living and seasonal rhythms.

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