easy sea shell candles keep summer going just a bit longer!
If you’ve been following me for a while you know that we spend summers in Rockaway Beach. It’s truly my happy place and I’ve become a firm believer in the therapeutic properties of sun, sand and salt water.
The end of the season always brings the best shells, and I was determined this year to make “something” with our inevitably large haul.
Noah found these three perfect shells and I immediately thought “candles”.
Now, we’ve ditched artificially scented candles, and I’ve gone on at length about how we diffuse essential oils in place of. But I thought these would be lovely (and less egregious) to burn outside, and I used better materials to make them for this project.
I always have tea lights on hand for the many votive holders I put out for my holiday party, and a few years ago I replaced the traditional ones I had been using with soy tealights that have cotton wicks. Turns out those little wicks are the perfect size to pop into a shell!
And for the wax I used soy wax flakes that are paraffin- and petroleum-free.
Of course for the fragrance I used essential oils!
These would make a sweet gift (maybe paired with some fancy matches), but I loved having them here at home, to stretch out summer just a bit longer.
SHOP THE POST!
tealight candles – preferably soy with 100% cotton wicks
soy wax flakes – preferably paraffin- and petroleum-free
essential oils – single or a combination (I love Lemon/Rosemary, Northern Lights Black Spruce/Citrus Fresh and Lemongrass/Citronella – a natural bug repellent!)
clean seashells
You will need twice the amount of wax flakes as there is liquid volume in your shells. To calculate, fill each shell with water and then pour the water into a measuring cup. I had about a cup of water so I used 2 cups of wax flakes.
Set a pot of water to boil – I used a 2-quart pot, filled with enough water to come halfway up a 2-cup measuring cup.
While the water is coming to a boil, pop the wicks out of the tealights and set into the shells – you want to place it in the deepest part of the shell, but where the wick will still be higher than the edge. Prop the shells on balls of foil so they are level when you add the melted wax.
Once the water is boiling place the measuring cup in – stir occasionally till the wax starts to melt, then stir constantly till it is completely melted. Carefully remove from the pot and stir in your oil(s). Depending on how much scent you like you’ll add a total of 10 drops of oil per cup of wax.
Pour the melted wax into your shell(s) and let set.
Note: The tealight wicks will obviously only work in very shallow vessels like seashells. For taller containers you’d want conventional candle wicks.
This delicious recipe brought to you by Sheri Silver
https://sherisilver.com/2020/09/11/diy-sea-shell-candles/
Please note that this post contains affiliate links. As a Rewards Style influencer I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases – at no additional cost to you.
Related posts:
Hi! I'm Sheri!
Welcome to my little corner of the web where you’ll find easy, delicious recipes, the best kitchen hacks and simple tips for turning your home into a clean haven that is free of toxins. So glad you’re here!
