DIY Thank You Gift: Homemade Beeswax Candles In A Snap! With Stress-Busting Aromatherapy.

/ Friday, October 10, 2014

Wishing you the happiest Friday, coffee in hand! It's been a crazy three weeks and I'm finally ready to come up for air and tell you a little bit about what's going on. I took a new job! Today's the day I'm changing my "statutes" on Twitter, Pinterest, etc. but I wanted to let you know first. 


I left my amazing spot in the Good Housekeeping test kitchen to launch a new TV channel. I had absolutely no idea what I was getting into—and I was super hesitant to leave my dream job—but I swear this is the coolest things I've ever done. I can't wait to tell you more about it once I'm able to share details! In the meantime, I'd love to show you the thank you DIY project I made for my amazing colleagues at Good Housekeeping on my last day.

You know I'm a sucker for a playful pun (I mean, Birth-nay!—come on) so I was obsessed with crafting something bee-themed, that way I could express how "Bee-yond Grateful" I was for the time spent with such an incredible, creative, game-changing team. 

My plan: Make homemade beeswax candles laced with stress-relieving essential oils. And for an extra-sentimental touch, I poured them into the old tartlet molds I bought at a Good Housekeeping sale my first week on the job. They lived in our kitchen for decades! Such a perfect, retro touch.

This was my first candle-making experience. Um, it's amazing! And, like, the easiest thing ever. I ordered natural beeswax pellets from Amazon, along with a pack of wicks. Next, I stopped by the Whole Foods right by our office for some aromatherapy business.

I picked neroli oil for a soft, floral, clean, citrusy scent. People say it's a mood-lifter...and who doesn't need that in the office now and then, right!?


Let's get to it, shall we? Here's what you'll need to make these homemade candles...


DIY BEESWAX CANDLE SUPPLIES
- Rimmed baking sheet
- Waxed paper
- 1 to 2 dozen tartlet molds
- 1 to 2 dozen wicks 
- 1 pound bag natural beeswax pellets
- 1 large microwave-safe bowl
- Popsicle sticks for stirring 
- Your choice essential oil (optional)

1. Line a rimmed baking sheet with wax paper. 

2. Arrange tartlet molds (or small jars, if you'd prefer) on the prepared baking sheet. Arrange 1 wick in the center of each mold and snip as needed so they stand up!  

3. Put the beeswax in a microwave-safe bowl. Put it in the microwave and microwave in 1 to 2 minute intervals until totally melted. 

NOTE: I first tried melting my beeswax in a pot of boiling water and it was an epic fail! The microwave is sooo much more simple. Why make things harder for yourself, you know?




4. Add drops of essential oil to your melted wax; stir in with a Popsicle stick. Add as much or as little as you'd like! 

5. Divide the melted wax among the prepared molds and let sit an hour or until set—this may sound lame but I totally loved watching the wax cool and change colors! 

One last thing, let's chat about wrapping 'em up. A great inexpensive way to package your homemade candles (read: not buy individual gift boxes for everyone) is to use grocery-store flowers and baker's twine. Tie small snippings and DIY cards to each candle—done! 

Anyway, that's what I made, this is what's going on, I hope all's well with you! I'm exciting to loop you in a bit move over the next few weeks. Happy Friday. Cheers, all! xo Erin



2 comments

  1. Congratulations on the new job! I'm really glad to hear things are still going so well at Hearst. I can't believe it's been so long since my FNM days. Best of luck in the new job!

    Ps- these are adorable, I love your flower clipping idea!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey Veronica! Than you so much! I know, it's been ages!! Hope all's well xo

    ReplyDelete

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