Unique Candle Making Techniques that are Super Chic
I’m Mary, and I and excited to share my candle design ideas with you. I only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. My post may contain affiliate links, in which I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read the full privacy policy here.
What can you put in candles for decoration?
Over the years, I have experimented with adding a small amount of mica powder to candle wax. The mica powder swirled around in the wax and created a mesmerizing show on the first burn. Unfortunately, the second and third burns didn’t always burn as well. The problem with mica powder, it will clog your wick.
Here is a clip from one of my candle-making techniques videos demonstrating how mica powder responds to soy and paraffin wax.
If you are going to experiment with adding mica powder to your candles, plan to wick up and use wooden wicks. I had to double up my wooden wicks to burn through the wax with mica powder. Although I loved my first burn, I wanted the sparkle but with a cleaner 3rd and 4th burn. It’s a fun candle-making technique for hobbyists, but I did not find a viable solution with mica for consistency.
So what can you put in candles for decoration?
I think the key thing I learned from making this homemade candle is that I don’t want to add anything but fragrance oil to my candle wax. Anything I add to my candles for decoration is on the bottom or surrounds the wax. It’s not a good idea to add decoration to the top of the wax. It eventually pollutes the wax and causes irregular burning after the second burn. I want my candles to burn safe and clean while looking funky chic at all times.
What do you need to make candles like Funktional Chic?
Supplies you will need to make this unique candle container:
2 glass jars Note: I use the square jars found at Dollar Tree with a glass votive tea light
hot glue gun and glue sticks
various colors of sand
glitter, mica powder or gold leaf
measuring spoon
popsicle stick
Prepare the glass candle containers by gluing the smaller glass candle vessel to the larger glass.
Next comes the creative part! Add layers of sand to create a unique design for your candle container. I added some photos of an easy candle design project as an example. I wanted the center of the candle to be more transparent so you can see the flame flickering. To get this effect, I layered larger white pebbles and gold leaf through the middle.
Candle Making Tip using Sand:
Use a popsicle stick or wire to move the sand into place before the next layer. The least expensive place I have found to buy black and white-colored sand online is Blick’s. Mixing sand to create a new color doesn’t produce the same results as buying it pre-colored. If you are looking for more trendy colors such as dove gray, truffle, and gold shimmer, check out this gorgeous sand color palette on Amazon.
Setting Sand in Candle Container
You can set the sand with resin to preserve your candle design or ship your glass candle containers. These can be used for tea lights, votives, and wax melts.
Here is the Resin I use on Amazon. I picked this kit for value and the added mica, gold flakes, and glitter bonuses!
Shop all Mary’s Recommendations
Recommended Candle-making Wax on Amazon
This luxurious Coconut Soy candle wax is a vegan blend of natural soy and coconut with a superior scent throw!
- Scent Recommendation: 8-12%
- Wax is made in flake form making it easy to use!
Recommended Fragrance Oil for Candles
Comment below if you love these unique candle-making techniques!
If you have questions about different candle-making techniques I have discovered over the years, I’m happy to help if I can. Follow me on Instagram for more unique candle container ideas. Candle wax like sand art is delicate.
