DIY Wine Glass Candles: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating your own wine glass candles is a straightforward project that yields an elegant centerpiece or gift with a personal touch. This guide covers two approaches: pouring wax directly into the glass and using the glass as a decorative holder for existing candles. You'll learn what supplies to gather, how to prepare the glass and wax, and techniques for assembly, plus ideas for no-pour designs.
By Finley White
Upcycle your stemware into romantic candles for the table.
When you're in need of a centerpiece that's both simple and sophisticated, or a handmade gift, wine glass candles fit the bill. They're simple to craft at home, and the handmade aspect adds a special quality. If you'd rather not pour wax into the glasses, you can also decorate the stemware with pillar candles or tea lights.
Collect Your Materials for Poured Candles
If you plan to pour candles into wine glasses, gather the following: goblets or flutes, a liquid measuring cup, rubbing alcohol, a lint-free cloth, candle-making wax, cotton wicking, wick tabs, a pencil or dowel, a double boiler, and a wooden spoon or stick for stirring. Make sure your glassware can withstand heat up to at least 190 degrees.
Get Your Supplies Ready
To figure out how much wax you need, fill the glass with water up to the desired candle level, then transfer the water to a measuring cup. After emptying the glass, dry it and wipe it down with rubbing alcohol and a soft cloth to eliminate any surface oils.
Melt the wax in the double boiler over low heat, stirring frequently and keeping a close eye on it. While it melts, attach a wick tab to one end of a piece of cotton wicking that you've cut 1 inch longer than the depth of the glass bowl. Wrap the other end around a pencil. Once the wax is fully melted, stir in any color or fragrance you like.
Putting the Candles Together
Start by pouring a thin layer of wax into the glass bowl—just enough to cover the bottom by about 1/4 inch. Let it harden, then position the wick tab on top. Pull the wick tight, adjusting the pencil wrapping as necessary. Slowly pour in more wax while tilting the glass slightly; this reduces the chance of unsightly bubbles. When you near the top, straighten the glass. Let the wax cool and set, then use a hair dryer to smooth the surface. Trim the wick to 1/4 inch above the wax.
Using Wine Glasses Without Pouring Wax
For a candle display that can be easily updated for different seasons or events, fill the glass bowl with ornaments, beads, buttons, or other decorations. Turn the glass upside down on a table, keeping the items inside by covering the bowl with a thin piece of cardboard that you slide out once the glass is on the table. Set a pillar candle on the upturned foot of the stem.
Alternatively, fill the glass bowl about halfway with sand or pebbles, then arrange decorations like shells or flowers around a tea light. You can also glue curled wire to the bottom of the tea light cup to hang them from the rim of the glass.
