DIY Vintage Glass Candles: Transform Thrift Store Finds into Elegant Home Decor
Welcome to a world where creativity meets sustainability! Today, we’re diving into a project that promises both charm and significant savings: crafting beautiful vintage glass candles. This ingenious DIY hack takes inspiration from high-end catalogs, like Pottery Barn, but uses readily available thrift store glassware and repurposes wax from old pillar candles. Get ready to turn forgotten treasures into stunning, personalized home decor or thoughtful, handmade gifts.
I hope you’re finding endless inspiration to rediscover the potential in old, worn, or cast-off items through our ongoing handmade gifts series! The beauty of upcycling lies in its ability to give new life to objects that might otherwise end up in a landfill, transforming them into something truly special and unique. This project, in particular, showcases how a little vision and effort can yield truly remarkable results.
Today’s handmade gift, the DIY vintage glass candle, is undoubtedly one of my absolute favorites, standing proudly alongside cherished creations like my burlap jewelry board. It’s a testament to the fact that you don’t need a hefty budget to create items that exude elegance and character. Instead, we’re embracing the art of the “catalog hack,” mimicking the aesthetics of an old Pottery Barn catalog but achieving it through resourceful, budget-friendly means.
Not only does this project cleverly utilize thrift store glass, which can always be found in abundance and often for mere pennies, but it also provides a brilliant solution for all those old pillar candles. You know the ones – they’re lopsided, they don’t light evenly anymore, or they’ve simply burned down to a messy stump, yet they still hold a substantial amount of usable wax. Instead of discarding them, we’re giving that wax a second chance at illumination, a truly satisfying aspect of this craft.
It’s a definite win-win situation, both for your wallet and for the environment.
Yes, I’m thinking you can clearly see why this project fills me with such delight:
catalog inspiration + thrifted items + using up throw-away items = lovely gift at a fraction of the price
And the best part? No one would ever guess these beautiful candles were crafted from repurposed materials. Seriously, this kind of creative reuse makes my heart go pitter-patter. The satisfaction of transforming forgotten objects into something desirable and chic is immense. Imagine the compliments you’ll receive, and the quiet pride you’ll feel knowing the story behind these unique pieces.
What makes it even happier? This truly incredible comparison:
While the exact candle set on the left from Pottery Barn might not be available anymore, it’s worth noting that just last year, a similar three-candle set was retailing for a significant $49.00. Now, let’s compare that to our DIY version, which offers the same aesthetic appeal without the hefty price tag. This isn’t just about saving money; it’s about smart, sustainable living and crafting.
For my stunning thrift store glasses, I paid a mere .99 each. Some were even marked $1.99 but were half-priced on the day I scored them, making them equally affordable. Add to that approximately .50 for new wicks and their holders, and factor in the reused wax from old pillar candles, and the total cost for my entire set comes to an astonishing $3.50. This staggering difference highlights the incredible value of DIY and upcycling.
Yep – that’s quite a savings, isn’t it? This project truly exemplifies how you can achieve high-end aesthetics on a shoestring budget, all while contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle. The beauty of visiting thrift stores is that there are always LOTS of unique glass styles to choose from. You might find delicate etched glasses, sturdy pressed glass, or even more intricate cut-glass types, similar to the Pottery Barn version.
I simply chose glasses that I was drawn to, focusing on finding a variety that came in three distinct heights to create a cohesive and visually interesting set. This personal touch is one of the many ways to make this handmade gift truly tailored and special for whoever you’re giving them to. The variety available means you can customize the look and feel of your candles to match any decor style or personal preference. Consider the recipient’s taste – do they prefer sleek and modern, or rustic and charming? Your thrift store hunt can be guided by these preferences, making each candle set a truly bespoke creation.
Oh, and perhaps it goes without saying around here by now, given the simplicity of many of our projects, but did I mention these are incredibly easy to make?
Like, “last-minute-gift” easy? Absolutely. This isn’t a project that requires specialized skills or extensive crafting experience. If you can melt wax and hold a chopstick, you can create these beautiful vintage glass candles.
DIY Vintage Glass Candles: Step-by-Step Guide
Before you begin, ensure you have a dedicated space for crafting. Working on a protected surface is key, as wax can be notoriously difficult to clean once it sets. Lay down newspaper or old towels to catch any spills. Proper ventilation is also recommended, especially when melting wax, to ensure a comfortable and safe crafting environment.
1. Start by assembling your supplies and preparing your workspace.
In addition to the beautiful thrift store glass and your collection of old pillar candles, you will need a few essential items:
- A dedicated pot and a measuring cup with a spout for melting and pouring wax. It’s crucial that these are items you won’t use for food preparation again, as wax residue can be persistent and potentially contaminate food.
- Wicks and wick holders (also known as wick tabs or clips). Ensure you choose wicks appropriate for the diameter of your glasses for optimal burning.
- Small dowels or chopsticks, or even clothespins, for securely holding the wick in place while the wax sets.
- Masking tape or double-sided tape for securing the wicks to your dowels/chopsticks.
I made candles in teacups years ago for Mother’s Day and have simply stored the candle-making supplies in a basket since then. Having a dedicated kit makes future candle projects a breeze.
When it comes to cleaning, use the oldest pot and a cup with a spout for pouring you can find. After using, simply scrape the cooled wax out and wipe them clean with a paper towel. I strongly suggest you don’t try washing them with water, which can send clogging wax down the drain. And never put anything with wax on it in the dishwasher – you run the serious risk of ruining your dishwasher’s internal components, and yes, I’ve seen it happen!
2. Gather your old pillar candles and cut them up, carefully discarding the old wicks.
It’s long bothered me about what to do with pillar candles that are lopsided, burn unevenly, or no longer hold a light – or worse, drip wax all over the place – but are still quite large and contain a lot of good wax. The idea of remelting them is not only practical but also incredibly satisfying. This process maximizes the life of your candles and minimizes waste.
**Note: You don’t have to reuse candle wax – it’s perfectly easy to find new wax at any craft store. If you opt for new wax, buy a slab of it (soy wax, beeswax, or paraffin are common choices) and chip off pieces to melt in your dedicated pan. Then, simply continue with the directions after the initial wax preparation steps.
To cut the pillar candles into smaller, more manageable pieces for melting, you can use a sturdy serrated knife with a good amount of arm strength. Take caution and cut slowly to avoid slippage. This method works effectively for most pillar candles.
3. Optional: For larger, tougher pillar candles, consider using a miter saw to cut the pillars into fourths.
This method offers speed and precision, but comes with important caveats. This should only be done with the full approval of everyone who uses the saw, as the wax will undoubtedly go flying and coat the blade. Be prepared for little pieces of wax to go everywhere – oh, did I already mention that? Safety first: wear eye protection and ensure your workspace is easy to clean. If a miter saw isn’t an option or seems too messy, the serrated knife is a perfectly viable alternative.
4. Observe the different textures often found in candle centers.
You might notice that some pillar candle insides are composed of a rice-like textured wax (often seen on the left in various project photos), while others are solid wax all the way through. This difference in texture is why the wax sometimes flies with a power saw. Initially, I thought these weirdly textured candles might not melt as nicely or smoothly as the solid wax counterparts. However, don’t let this visual difference deter you!
5. Melt the candle pieces in an old saucepan using a double boiler method.
To safely and effectively melt your wax, I highly recommend using a double boiler. Place your dedicated pot with the wax pieces inside a larger pot that contains about 1-2 inches of simmering water. This indirect heat prevents the wax from scorching and ensures an even melt. Guess what I found? They all melt down beautifully – no matter what the insides looked like or their original texture. This is another strong vote for the benefits and ease of reusing and upcycling wax, proving that even seemingly “imperfect” wax yields perfect results.
Once the wax is fully melted, you can optionally add a few drops of candle-safe fragrance oil or a small amount of crayon shavings (for color) if you wish to customize your candles further. Stir gently to incorporate.
6. Attach wicks to their metal wick holders, if needed.
Some wicks, like mine, will need to be securely attached to their metal bases using needle-nose pliers. Follow the directions provided with your wicks for the best method. Simply crimp the metal base around the wick’s end. There are also wicks available with holders already attached, which can save a step. However, these pre-attached wicks often come in only one standard size, meaning they wouldn’t work as effectively or safely with taller or wider goblets, where a longer or thicker wick might be required for an even burn.
7. Prepare your glasses, place a wick/holder in each, and carefully pour in the melted wax.
Before pouring, ensure your thrift store glasses are sparkling clean and completely dry. Center a wick/holder at the bottom of each glass. To keep the wick upright and perfectly centered, tape the top of the wick to a small dowel or chopstick that rests across the top of the glass. Use a steady hand and pour the melted wax carefully towards the center of the glass to avoid getting wax on the top edges. While aiming for the center, also try not to get wax directly on the wick itself, as this can impede its initial burn.
8. Use another piece of tape to ensure the wick remains perfectly upright.
If needed, add another piece of tape, connecting the stick to the glass edge. This extra security helps hold the wick in an upright, straight position as the wax dries and cools. A straight wick ensures an even burn and a more aesthetically pleasing candle. Double-check that the wick is taut and centered before the wax begins to set.
9. Let the candles harden completely until the wax looks solid, without moving the glasses.
This step is absolutely critical for achieving smooth, even candles without cracks or imperfections. Once the wax is poured, it needs to cool and harden undisturbed. Make sure the glasses are in a stable place where they won’t be disturbed, bumped, or moved for at least a few hours, or ideally overnight, before you start pouring the melted wax. Moving them prematurely can cause tunneling or unsightly indentations. Allow ample time for a full cure, which can take up to 24 hours. If you notice any small sinkholes around the wick after the first pour, you can gently remelt a small amount of wax and top them off for a smooth finish.
I managed to make two beautiful sets of these candles at one time, and the entire active process, from start to finish (excluding the crucial hardening time, of course), took me about an hour. This makes it an easily manageable day project that you could start in the morning and have ready to wrap up and gift the very next day. The relatively quick turnaround makes it perfect for last-minute gifts or when you need to make several items for a special occasion.
While I’m thinking mainly of versatile occasions like Christmas, birthday, or Mother’s Day gifts for these charming creations, I truly believe they would make fantastic and incredibly thoughtful wedding gifts, too, don’t you? Imagine a set of personalized vintage candles adorning a bridal shower, or as unique favors for guests. They also make wonderful housewarming presents, hostess gifts, or even just a lovely treat for yourself to elevate your own home decor.
And you know what? Here’s another fantastic bonus that makes this project even better:
When the candle is finally used up, and its warm glow has faded, the beautiful vintage glasses are completely reusable (again!). They can be repurposed once more as elegant goblets for beverages, small charming vases for floral arrangements, or even as stylish holders for makeup brushes or office supplies. This project just keeps giving, offering layers of sustainability and functionality.
NOTE: A reader once asked about the reused wax causing small indentations in the centers near the wicks – yes, occasionally there are some minor ones, especially after the first pour. However, personally, it doesn’t bother me in the slightest, as they typically don’t affect the candle’s performance, and they work just fine. For perfectionists, a small second pour of melted wax can easily smooth out any such imperfections.
Want even more ideas and inspiration for creative upcycling and handmade gifts?
Follow me on Pinterest and make sure to check out my dedicated Handmade Gifts board for a treasure trove of DIY projects. You’ll also love my Thrift Store Transformations board, packed with ingenious ways to turn forgotten finds into fabulous features!
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DIY Vintage Glass Candles (Using Old Pillar Candles)
Tools
-
A dedicated pot and cup with spout and handle for melting and pouring wax
-
Small dowels or chopsticks for holding wicks in place
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Tape to hold wicks upright
Materials
- Wicks and holders
- Old pillar candles (or store-bought candle wax)
- Thrift store glass cups or goblets
Instructions
-
Gather your old pillar candles and cut them up, discarding the old wicks.**
It’s long bothered me about what to do with pillar candles that are lopsided and don’t hold a light anymore – or worse, drip wax all over the place – but are still quite large, so I love the idea of remelting them.
**Note: You don’t have to reuse candle wax – it’s easy to find at a craft store. Buy a slab of it and chip off pieces to melt in the pan, continuing with the directions after cutting up pillar candles.
To cut the pillars into smaller pieces, you can use a serrated knife with a lot of arm strength and it will work.
-
Optional: use a miter saw to cut the pillars into fourths.
This should be done with full approval of everyone who uses the saw, ’cause the wax will go flying and coat the blade. And little pieces of wax go everywhere – oh, did I already mention that? Be prepared.
-
Different texture of candle centers.
This is why the wax was flying with the power saw – some pillar candle insides are composed of rice-like textured wax (on the left in the photo) and some are solid wax all the way through. I thought the weirdly textured candles might not melt as nicely as the solid wax. Guess what I found? They all melt down beautifully – no matter what the insides looked like. Another vote for reusing.
-
Melt the candle pieces in an old saucepan.
-
Attach wicks to holders, if needed.
Some, like mine, will need to be attached using needle nose pliers or however the directions suggest. There are also wicks with holders already attached, but they come in only one size so wouldn’t work with taller goblets.
-
Place a wick/holder in each glass, tape it to a chopstick resting across the top of the glass and carefully pour in the melted wax.
Use a steady hand and pour towards the center of the glass to avoid getting wax on the top edges of the glass (but try not to get wax on the wick).
-
Use another piece of tape.
If needed, on the stick and the glass edge to hold the wick in an upright, straight position as the wax dries.
-
Let harden until wax looks solid without moving the glasses.
This is important, so make sure the glasses are in a place where they won’t be disturbed for a few hours before you start pouring the melted wax.