I love when a craft project teaches you a new skill, is a bit on the unique side, and connects to a story or experience that makes you smile. Well, these cute little oyster candles accomplished all 3 for me!
I have never made candles before and this was an easy first-time project. I stumbled across this project idea in one of my mom's entertaining books and thought it would be the perfect touch for the Diner en Blanc I was hosting to celebrate her 60th birthday.
1) They are white and when planning an outdoor dinner party I'm all about the candles!
2) Most of all - they remind me of the time we both gagged down oysters for the first time at our first Diner en Blanc in France!
Here is a short little tutorial on how to make them. Gather supplies. I found everything on Amazon - sweet!
- Oyster shells
- Candle wicks
- Soy wax
- Candle making pitcher - double boiler pot
It's pretty straight forward. Here are the steps with a few tips!
1. Choose shells that have deep recesses to hold the wax. Wash them with bleach
2. Position and prop up the shells so that they are resting level. Place a wick in the deepest portion of the shell.
3. Add wax to the candle making pitcher and set it inside a larger pot of hot, nearly boiling water. Heat and stir occasionally until the wax melts.
4. Pour melted wax into the shell, being careful not to tip over the wick. It might be helpful to have an extra set of hands to hold the wick in place for a few moments.
5. Wax will harden in a few hours and then it is ready to go!
When it comes time to display the shells, I recommend placing them in a dish or basket filled with sand or rocks. Nestle the oyster candles in just right so that they are level and can burn evenly. Considering the small amount of wax in the candles, I was surprised by how long they burned.
There you go, a simple little project! I have a bunch of soy wax leftover and now I'm wondering what else I can make in to a candle . . . . Hmmm.
