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Make your own votive candles

A fun and easy project with a beautiful payoff. Learn how to make these votive candles with water-filled balloons.

 

candletech.com

YOU WILL NEED:

High-melt candle wax
Party balloons
Double boiler
Baking tray

 

CONTINUES BELOW

 

 

HERE'S HOW:

1. Fill a balloon with tepid water.

2. Melt your wax. Optimum working temperature for this project is 80 degrees C. Try to maintain this temperature for your wax while working by keeping it on a double boiler.

How to use a double boiler:
A double-boiler is created by boiling a pot of water on a heat source. The temperature of the water will never exceed 100 deg. C. We then place the pouring pot (containing the wax) within this boiling water. In essence, the pouring pot is never in direct contact with the heat source. The boiling water transmits the heat to the pouring pot quickly and evenly, without scorching the wax and minimizes the chances of a fire. Even with a double boiler, do not leave it unattended.

  • Select an old pot that is large enough to place your pouring pot into.   Add 5 centimetres of water to the old pot and bring to the boil. Place your pouring pot directly into this boiling water. You may wish to place a metal cookie cutter, or similarly shaped item in the bottom of your old pot to elevate the pouring pot.  
  • Lower the heat to a simmer. It is not necessary to have a rapid boil. Simmering water and rapidly boiling water are the exact same temperature, 100° C.  
  • Periodically add water to replace water lost to evaporation. Do not let the double boiler run dry. It can quickly get too hot.  
  • Allow the wax to melt and monitor the temperature until you reach the temperature needed for the particular type of wax you are working with.

3. Slowly dip your balloon into the wax to just below the water level in the balloon.

Warning: Do not dip the balloon into the wax past the water level. This could cause the balloon to pop.

4. Hold the balloon in the wax for a few seconds, and then slowly lift it out of the wax. Dip the balloon a few more times, allowing some time between dips to let the wax cool.

5. While it is still quite warm, carefully set the balloon down onto a piece of paper or a baking tray, making sure it is level. This will create a flat bottom for the luminary.

6. Dip your balloon a few more times until it is the desired thickness. A good target thickness is 6 to 10 mm.

7. Set the balloon on the paper or cookie sheet again and let it cool.

8. When the wax is completely cooled, hold the balloon over a sink or bucket, facing away from you. Carefully pop the balloon with a skewer or knife and let the water drain out. Throw away the deflated balloon.

9. To level the top of the luminary, heat a baking tray on the stove and place the luminary top-down onto the hot sheet and carefully melt the edges until it is level.

10. Place a tea light or votive inside the luminary and burn on a candle holder in a dark area.