How to Make Shot Glass Candles

If you're at a loss for what to do with your growing shot glass collection, get creative and turn them into interesting candles. It's a great alternative to letting them gather dust in a cabinet, allows you to show off your collection, and helps create atmosphere with a funky flare. Here's how!

Steps

1
Break up all your old, half burned candles into a measuring cup. You can use discolored wax if you are planning on adding some wax dye.
2
Place the measuring cup into a pan of boiling water until the wax melts.

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3
Watch to see when the wax has almost completely melted. At this point, you will be able to add the wax dye (if your original wax is discolored).
4
Place the wicks inside the shot glasses. Make sure you only use glass shot glasses or any other thick glass. Put a small drop of glue on the tip, and press that into the bottom center of the glass to make sure the wick stays put.
5
When the wax has melted down, pour the wax into each shot glass. Be careful not to submerge the entire wick.
6
When the wax is almost completely set, move the wick into the center of the glass and then leave it to fully set. Wax contracts as it cools, so you may need to do pour more wax after the candle has set.
7
Finished!

Community Q&A

Question

Instead of wax dye to color it, can I use crayons?

Angie

Community Answer

Yes. If you add the crayons to your wax when melting, the crayon will mix right in with the wax, making the whole thing the color of the crayon.
Question

What should be the temperature of the wax before pouring?

Community Answer

150-180 degrees Fahrenheit. If rings start to form, then you should reheat it to a higher temperature.
Question

Could I add vanilla essence to scent the candles?

Community Answer

Any essential oils can be added to candles, but adding too much can make the candle more difficult to properly burn. Luckily a little oil goes a long way. If you're using old candles that are already scented, adding extra scent isn't always the best idea although an extra drop won't hurt much.

Warnings

Be sure to use a heat resistant container for melting the wax. Acrylic or hard plastic will deform.

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You should really use solid and heavy glass for this. Be very careful as some glass will break from heat and this is a fire hazard.

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If the candle burns all the way to the bottom of the glass or the flame touches the sides, the glass could crack.

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Wax doesn't boil, it combusts, so be sure you don't heat your wax to a degree above the melting point of the wax.

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Helpful 26 Not Helpful 6
Container candles are made from a softer wax than pillars and tapers. The heat build-up in container candles like this could cause the glasses to shatter, which at best would send hot liquid wax all over whatever surface the item was sitting on. At worst, it could cause a fire!

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Don't use plastic shot glasses. They may melt away.

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Candle making is a lot of fun, but you need to know what you're doing or you could end up giving a dangerous gift. Be careful!

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