Summer Meets Fall With Pressed Flower Candles

The soft murmur of a new season is on the horizon. Suddenly, we’re all sick of wearing sandals and cut offs, and sure, we still love the beach, but does it have to be so hot every day? The collective yearning for apples and cider, cold air, and layers.

I think it’s second nature to glamorize fall, we look forward to having a little change in our lives, and while some upheavals can be scary, the change of seasons is inevitable and entirely safe. Something new, but expected. Something fall will never have, though, are the bright blooms of summer. Farmer’s markets bursting with bouquets of zinnias, sunflowers, and daisies. To bring summer’s best flowers into a new season, I press them between the pages of heavy books, fold them into journals, and now, engulf them in beeswax to be discovered on cold nights with the flame burning low.

Here’s how:

Flower Candle

What you need:

1 pint size Ball jar

1 block of 100% beeswax (or natural wax of your choice)

1 natural wick

Pressed flowers or herbs (100% dry)

Double boiler OR a clean empty can and a pot

1 old paintbrush

An old knife

Cutting board

Flower Candle

On the cutting board, use the knife to chop the wax into smaller chunks that will fit within the empty can.

Flower Candle

Flower Candle

Place a few chunks of wax into the can (or double boiler), place the can into the pot, and add 2″ of water. Heat on medium until the wax is melted, then lower the temperature until the water calms to a simmer.

Flower Candle

Dip the brush into the melted wax and apply the pressed flowers to the inside of the jar. Bear in mind that the flowers won’t stay completely put when you pour in the wax, but this will help them stay towards the outer edges. To anchor the wick, dip the metal end of the wick into the melted wax and lower it to the bottom of the jar. The melted wax will adhere the wick to the bottom.

Flower Candle

As the wax melts, add more chunks until the can is nearly full. Once the wax is completely melted, use an oven mitt to very carefully remove the can from the water, and slowly pour the wax into the jar. Depending on the size of your can, you will likely have to melt more wax, repeat these steps until the jar is full.

Flower Candle

To keep the wick from sinking, gently tie it around a pencil or chopstick. Allow the wax to cool completely. Trim the wick to 1/4″ before burning and always remember to keep the candle within sight while it’s lit.

Flower Candle

Light your candle on a chilly fall night and remember those farmer’s market flowers that brightened so many summer days.

More DIY projects from the BLDG 25 blog.

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9 years ago

I love the look of these candles.. especially in mason jars. Gorgeous!

<3
http://www.RitaMaesShop.etsy.com

Hypnotica Vintage
9 years ago

I’m not yearning for fall in the least! Cute candles though.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/HypnoticaVintage

9 years ago

lovely ♥ and they really fit for fall as you said.

ashton
9 years ago

how can you make them scented?

9 years ago

Love this!! I’ve got some soy wax that I bought to make candles, but I am wondering, where is the best place to get dried flowers?

9 years ago

You guys are the best. I just found some local beeswax and am so excited to make these! Have you ever tried using EOs in your candles? Do you have any favorite scents?

9 years ago

Lovely! I look forward to trying this – would be such a fun weekend craft date with my mom or a friend.

Warm Regards,
Alexandra
http://www.littlewildheart.com

9 years ago

I love candles especially in the fall. Making my own would be a nice fall craft to do with my sister. I think I will try putting essential oils so the candle smells nice.

http://kinzielamar.blogspot.com

9 years ago

From previous candle making experience essential oils don’t work well for scenting candles, but you can buy actual candle scent oils online (I use eBay.)
They’re pretty inexpensive and work alot better :) xx

9 years ago

Thanks for the good writeup. It in truth was once a amusement account it. Look advanced to far delivered agreeable from you! By the way, how could we keep in touch?

Kelsi
9 years ago

Hi i was wondering how big your bar of beeswax is? Is it 1 oz?

9 years ago

LOVE!!

Hunter
9 years ago

I am making these right now and since the beeswax has a very strong scent, my candle scented oils that I am adding to the beeswax isn’t really taking over like I would like it to. I added lavender and for me, it made my beeswax smell a little better but they don’t smell like lavender at all. This recipe was awesome though and they are pretty easy to make :) Thanks for the awesome recipe!

Amy
8 years ago

As the wax melts (and evaporates), wouldn’t the flowers come off and eventually be sinking (or floating) in the wax?

Also, is it dangerous? when flowers come off the wall and gets close to the flame, will it catch on fire at all?

Would that look messy?

8 years ago

Turned out lovely!

8 years ago

i was very anxious to try making this candle but ran into a problem. I brushed wax on the sides of my jar and secured my pressed flowers . They stayed pretty well. However, after I filled the jar with melted wax and let it set, all of my flowers disappeared. They are not visible through the jar at all. Can anyone help me? What did I do wrong? I’m trying to make this for a house warming gift for Saturday

zoey
8 years ago

I had some problems with Clare. When the wax dried out the flowers disapeared. Can anyone can help us? Cheers!

Angélique
8 years ago

Hi, I was wondering, what is the amount of wax needed for a 1 pint mason jar? And is it okay if I use parafin wax instead of beeswax?

Lauren
8 years ago

Hey Ladies I have a solution to your floating flower problem! I am making several candles for Christmas gifts and ran into this problem. Somehow, my motorcycle riding, bearded, mechanic of a fiance helped come up with a solution… which I then perfected.. ;) Method 1) harder but a bit quicker I guess… apply your flowers to the side of the jar (I used my fingers I couldn’t get the paintbrush method down). Then pour your wax in slowly. IMMEDIATELY rub an ice cube on the outside of the jar and it will help set the outermost layer. or… METHOD 2) place a damp paper towel into the freezer for a few minutes and wrap your jar up after applying flowers and BEFORE adding wax. I even wrapped my jar in a damp towel and put in the freezer for just a couple minutes. this causes the wax to harden almost immediately but also causes cracks (which I didn’t mind since my wax was white and looked kind of cool but thats your call).
I hope thos helps!!!

Farina Shuib
7 years ago

Hi i was wondering how many gm for 1 block of beeswax u used here?:)

Mary
7 years ago

Love the look. Going to make and do a test burn

Stacy
7 years ago

Hi, just giving this a try. I too am concerned about the fire hazard aspect. What happens to the herbs and or flowers as the candle burns? I want to press and dry every herb and flower in my garden for a variety of candles… chickweed and nasturtium from my daughter’s fairy garden for instance.

Rebecca Martinez
7 years ago

I’m making this for Christmas gifts and I cannot keep the pressed flowers in place :( please help

Wendy
6 years ago

What size wick did you use for the beeswax?