This mason jar oil lamp is created with beautiful pine cones, evergreens, and cinnamon sticks, combined with essential oils. It makes a lovely gift for the holidays and you can easily make several at one time.
Every year I make a handmade gift for my friends, family, co-workers, and others we want to thank at Christmas time. In the past, I've made bayberry candles, simmering potpourri, and spice mixes. This year I decided to make a mason jar oil candle lamp, that looks pretty and smells nice too.
I noticed that a lot of people were making oil candles for the summer with citronella oil, and several survivalists used cooking oils as an extra lighting source when the power goes out. One of the articles specifically talked about making an olive oil lamp, as it burns well without an unpleasant odor.
This post contains some affiliate links (that means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, there’s no additional cost to you, but I will earn a very small commission. ) i.e. as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
That's where I started. I wanted the oil candle lamp to smell nice so I used scented pine cones, and cinnamon sticks, and added some essential oils.
Trouble with Mason Jar Oil Lamps
The first few I made were so beautiful. I packed them with herbs and spices, drilled a hole in the lid, and added a cotton wick.
Only they did not work. 😐
Be the first to receive new posts and get access to our Subscribers Only Page.
The wick would only stay lit for a minute or two, even after letting it soak overnight. I tried different kinds of wicking but still had problems. I did find one article that mentioned using a metal collar but I was looking for a simple solution. Especially since I was making many candles for gifts.
Also, I could have tried some type of lamp oil but I was worried about burning that type of oil in the home. Mainly I worried about combustion and toxic fumes. I'm no expert so maybe this is really not an issue. However, since I was giving these to others I wanted to make them as safe as possible.
The Solution
So after some research and experimentation, I found floating wicks
. These are the same wicks used for Menorah candles at Hanukkah.
They worked! 😛
I was so happy because I had already bought all the materials for many, many gifts. I did have to replace a few lids, and I no longer needed the cotton rope, but everything else was still viable.
How to Make a Beautiful Mason Jar Oil Lamp
Oil Candle Supplies
Pint Mason Jars
Olive Oil
Dried Orange Slices - How to Dry Orange Slices
Cinnamon Sticks
Small Pine Cones
Floating Wicks
Essential Oils (rosemary
, sweet orange
, cinnamon
) You can use whatever you prefer. You can also use fragrance oils.
Safety Caution: Candles need to be handled properly. According to the National Fire Protection Association, many candles have started home fires. Never leave the candle burning unattended. Make sure the candle is set on a sturdy surface away from anything that can catch fire. Keep them out of children's reach.
See NFPA's candle safety tips page for more details.
Start by filling the mason jar
with botanicals. You can see I've used cranberries, dried orange slices
, pine cones
, cinnamon sticks, and some fresh cedar from the yard. Don't stuff them too full. You need to leave some room for the floating wick.
Using a wooden skewer, an old pencil would work too, position the plant material where it looks best.
Add some essential oils to your oil. I used light olive oil because it is the least scented, and cheaper than extra virgin. For essential oils, I used rosemary, sweet orange, and lemon. Cinnamon and peppermint oil would be great for a holiday candle too. Or you could use lavender essential oil or rose oil if you have a preference for a floral scent. And, you could also choose a good quality fragrance oil.
Just know that adding essential oils probably won't compare to a scented wax candle.
Fill the jar with oil, then add your floating wick.
Mason Jar Oil Candle Tips:
- Fill the jar well and use a skewer or old pencil to push the natural materials into place, leaving plenty of room at the top for the oil and the wick to burn.
- As the oil burns, you can add some water, which will make the oil will rise, and allow you to burn the candle longer. However, if the candle goes unused for several days the water will turn and bacteria may start to grow making the candle cloudy. It's best to just add more oil to raise the level above the botanicals.
- You can also use a piece of an old candle's wick for a replacement when the original one burns up.
Can You Use Artificial Materials?
One of my readers asked if they could use artificial materials. I really like using natural elements however, I recently tried making the oil candles with artificial flowers to make Spring Mason Jar Oil Lamps and they worked great. Since they are artificial you can fill them with water and add an inch of oil to the top for burning.
Free Printable Tags for Your Oil Candles
I'm adding these tags to my gifts. Feel free to copy them. If you click on them you will get a pdf version that you can print.
Another Tip: Since I would be traveling with many of them, I decided it was best to tape the floating wick to the top of the jar with a little washi tape, so it wouldn't get lost in the oil while traveling. This is what I'm referring to on the directions tag.
I love the way they turned out.
Once I figured out how to make them, it was pretty easy to put several together in one sitting.
Check out my DIY/Projects Page,
for more great handmade gifts and project ideas.
DIY Mason Jar Oil Lamps
Equipment
- Wooden skewer or pencil for stuffing and moving materials.
- Printer for directions and gift tags
Materials
- Pint Mason Jars
- Olive Oil
- Dried Orange Slices
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Small Pine Cones
- Floating Wicks
- Ribbon or waxed twine for tags optional
- Essential Oils - Optional rosemary, sweet orange, cinnamon You can use whatever you prefer. You can also use fragrance oils.
Instructions
- Fill a pint-sized mason jar with cinnamon sticks, pine cones, greenery, dried orange slices, and other ingredients.
- Add light olive to fill the first rim of the jar.
- Use a wooden skewer or pencil to move around the filler material and keep it in place.
- Add a floating wick or tape the floating wick to the lid for a gift and screw on the lid.
- Print out the directions tag and gift tag to tie on the candle.
Samantha
Hi There, I just want to start by saying i I love this idea and thank you for sharing. I have an excess of Canola oil. Could i use that for these in place of the olive oil?
Patti Estep
Samantha, I have not tried canola oil but I do think it may work.
Michelle
I'm arriving a bit late to the party here, and I can't wait to try these. I have smaller mason jars (meant for beverages, I think) and I'm planning to use an assortment of holiday greens, jars lined up in a row (think "flight" as in wine or beer tasting). But really, I'm chiming in here to say you deserve an award for the most gracious and patient blog host 🙂
I've read through EVERY comment (to avoid DIY disaster- with which I am intimately familiar). Admittedly, some of the questions made me chuckle. Thank you, to you and others, who take the time to inform and guide lifelong crafters, and don't dismiss questions about the (seemingly) obvious.
Merry Christmas (too early, you say? My crafting track record proves otherwise. LOL). Work schedule be damned, I'll get those WIPs done before Christmas!!
Patti Estep
Thank you for the kind comment Michelle and have a great time making your oil candles.
Beth
Hi,
This is a great idea, I'm going to try to make them! Do you have a link for the printable tags?
Thanks!
Patti Estep
I had them just as images you could save and print as you like but just added a link to a pdf so people can print them that way if they like. Just click on the image and it will take you to the pdf version that you can print. Enjoy!
liz
hi! these are beautiful! would they still.have much of a scent with just the natural materials, without EOs?
Patti Estep
Liz, not really. They are more decorative.
AB
Beautiful candles, my botanicals all floated no matter what I tried.
Patti Estep
AB, sorry that you are having trouble. I think filling the jar with lots of botanicals helps. Also, using a mix of large pieces with smaller ones may also keep them in place. For example the cedar pieces and some of the pine cones were pretty large.
Gerri
Would GRAPESEED oil work as well? it smells better and is cheaper.
Patti Estep
Gerri, I haven't tried grapeseed oil but I don't see why it wouldn't work. You could always test it out first.
Ali
Geri- did you try the grape seed oil? I would like to use that as well and wondered how it turned out for you.
Marissa
Can these be shipped?
Patti Estep
Marissa, I haven't shipped them however, I think it could be done. My thoughts are to leave the floating wick out of the jar. Maybe tape it gently to the top. Consider the best way of keeping the liquid from leaking. Wrap some painters tape around the lid where it meets the jar. Then cover it the entire jar with bubble wrap.
Amy Mcpeak
can I substitute the orange slices for lemon?
Patti Estep
Amy, you can use any dried citrus fruit you like.
Liza
Do you know how I would treat real fruit if I wanted to put them in the parrafin oil candle? I have seen some that actually have real fruit in them but need to know how they are preserved to stay looking so good. TIA!
Patti Estep
Liza, I have never tried real fruit in olive oil or water. I suspect that it wouldn't last forever. Maybe a couple of weeks. That's just a guess though. I think you'll have to test it out. If you do let me know how it works.
Carol
Question…I see some of the lids have holes in the lid for the wick? How do you get a lid with a hole? Or perhaps my eyes are tricking me?
Thanks
Patti Estep
Originally I drilled holes into a standard mason jar lid and had a cotton wick but they wouldn't stay lit for me so I went with the floating wicks.
LISA
These are so beautiful. The oil really makes the colors pop! If you made a hole in the cover of the mason jar & stuck the wick through it so that the wick always stayed at the top, do you know if the wick would absorb the oil enough to stay lit even if I only had, say, an inch of oil in it?
Patti Estep
Lisa, I had trouble getting the wick to stay lit when I tried to make a hole in the lid. I don't think using a floating wick in this way will make a difference but it wouldn't hurt to try. Let me know how it turns out.
Angela ka
use a lantern wick works great mine is burning perfect been going strong for about 45 minutes
Britt
What brand of floating wicks do you recommend?
I’m excited to try these out but curious about the wicks
Patti Estep
Britt, I don't have a particular brand to recommend. They all seem to do the trick.
Caryn
Is there a reason for not filing the entire candle up with oil?
Patti Estep
Caryn, you want to leave a little room for the floating wick but otherwise, you would fill it up close to the top.
Leslie
Does the greenery go bad? I was thinking of putting rosemary sprigs in the jar.
Patti Estep
Leslie, If you are using fresh items they don't last. The ones I made were good for a couple of weeks. However, you could try using artificial materials for a longer lasting candle.
Sarah
How long does the fruit last in the oil if not burned? I am considering buying the tea light insert for the lids off amazon which wouldn’t actually even burn the oil, I just don’t want it to get all nasty soon after gifting it! Would there be a better liquid that would preserve it longer?
Patti Estep
Sarah, I really don't know. I've tried water and it definitely became cloudy after a week or so. The olive oil worked better but as you said it is not necessary if you are using a tea light. Maybe distilled water with artificial plant material would work but I haven't tried it. Let me know if you come up with a solution.
Rachel
Do you have an estimated cost per candle?
Patti Estep
Rachel, it has been several years since I made these. However, I would guess that they cost between $5-10 to make. Mason jars are inexpensive and you can buy olive oil in bulk. The floating wick are also very inexpensive. It will depend on how much you decide to buy vs using materials in your backyard, how much essential oil you use etc..
Holly
When the oil burns down and the botanicals start to stick out of the oil, is there a risk of them catching fire if the floating wick gets too close?I'd like to make gifts for friends, but I'm worried they pose more of a fire risk than regular candles.
Patti Estep
Holly, yes you need to refill the jar with more oil to keep it above the botanicals. You could add water and it will sink to the bottom leaving the oil at the top but there is a good chance that the water will turn cloudy.
Luanne
Would distilled water work in this candle?
Patti Estep
You need some oil to burn on top about 1/2 inch but you could use some distilled water below. However, the plant materials may have some bacteria that may grow in the water causing it to become cloudy after a while. I haven't tried artificial plant material but that may also work.
Lisa Smart
I made these with fresh pine, pine cones, cinnamon sticks, cranberries, dried oranges, added oils (cinnamon) and they are very beautiful. Bought the floating wicks they work perfect. My question is when lit I couldn’t smell a thing, so I’m wondering how far ahead of time did you make these? Did you give all the things time to infuse in the oil?
Patti Estep
Lisa, I don't think time will help. These oil candles are more decorative than scented.
Adrien
Yes! I'm having the same issue. I can't smell any of the essential oils after even burning for an hour. Is it pointless to add in fragrant oils to begin with?
Patti Estep
Adrien, the scent does not throw like a wax candle. They are more decorative than scented. I have seen "fragrance lamp oils" on the market that might work better but I have not tried them.
Chris
I’ve just tried to make one of these oil candles but everything keeps floating to the top. What is the secret to keeping things in place?
Patti Estep
Chris, try using some larger items and stuffing the jars more. Also, you can use a wooden skewer or pencil to push some items down.
LISA
You can glue them to the bottom & glue things that don't reach the bottom to other items in the jar at whatever height you want. You'd probably have to use a glue that stands up to water, like a two-part Gorilla glue or something.
Alice Clayton
alclayton62@gmail.com
I would love to receive craft ideas from you. The mason jar candles are such a great gift idea, especially since reading the history of BALL JARS.
Alice
Patti Estep
Hi Alice, I'm so glad you liked the candle post. You can receive all my posts, usually 3 a week, sent to your email. Just click on the Subscribe tab at the top of any page on my site. Of course, you can unsubscribe at any time as well.
Jacky
I love this idea! Do you have any other combinations of ingredients you have really liked? Any not Christmas-y smell?
Patti Estep
Jacky, I have only made these at Christmas. However, I think you could try using faux flowers and berries, even faux fruit. If you want to use fresh ingredients, maybe something like a tough herb like rosemary or hot chili peppers. Let me know if you try it how it turns out.
Janice
You should have used Lamp oil then they would have burned much longer. The idea is a good one. Lamp oil is sold in Walmart. It is usually found beside the old fashioned lamps . You can buy clear or a dark color. The hole drilled in the top could have had a small glass holder with a wick in it. I think it has to be a wick or it will not draw the lamp oil up . A wick will last for years if you keep it trimmed. the lower the wick is in the glass holder the smaller the flame.
Patti Estep
Thanks for sharing Janice. I'll have to try lamp oil. I think another reader mentioned the inserts and that's also a great idea.
Jason
The wick should work though the lid just fine. If the wick keeps going out, your wick either isn't soaked clear though or isn't 100% cotton. Try soaking the entire wick in the oil before threading it through the lid. Make sure the hole in the lid is a tight fit for the wick and that wick is a quarter the length longer than its container. Also, I'd only fill the jars 3/4 of the way full and with just oil alone--Any oil should work, vegetable, canola, olive, coconut, etc.. Do not add water. One good place to get cheap 100% cotton wicks for this project is from a mop head. I love the idea of adding different scents and the Christmas winter theme.
Patti Estep
Jason, I feel like I tried to do everything you mentioned but perhaps something was off, like the hole in the lid wasn't tight enough. Or maybe the cording wasn't 100% like I thought it was. Thanks for sharing. I'll have to try it again one day soon.
Nathalie
Thank you for this post. I made a vegetable oil candles with artificial greens and berries and floating wicks (the ones used for Chanukah, bought them on amazon). Everything worked great. No issue whatsoever. Love these little oil lamps.
Patti Estep
That's great Nathalie. I'm so glad you like them. Thanks for letting me know.
Barbara
Wonder how liquid potpourri would do
Patti Estep
Barbara, I have never tried it. Using it could be a safety issue but I really don't know what type of liquid or oil is used. It might be safe enough to add little to the olive oil for fragrance.
Glenda
I love these candles. They are so pretty. Do you think filling them with the oil and maybe putting a small layer of wax with the wick through it might keep the items away from the fire and you could use scented wax or unscented and add essences oil to the wax.
Patti Estep
That might work. I wonder if a floating candle that fits in the top would work? I think they are usually unscented but there may be some that are scented. Let me know if you try it how it works out.
Sheila
I have a couple questions: I have never used essential oils before - how much do you add? Do you dry the oranges yourself or do you buy them that way? Where did you find the candle wicks - on-line or like Michaels? These sound great to give as gifts!
Patti Estep
You can use as little or as much essential oil as you want. Or, leave them out completely. Try adding some and see if you like it. You can use one scent or several. Also, I did dry my own oranges but you can buy them already dried. There should be a link for buying some in the post. I bought the wicks from Amazon. There is a link in the post. They were made for menorahs so if you have a place near you that sells them, then you can get them there, but I don't think Michaels sells them. They did make nice gifts.
Shelly
How long do wicks last? Dont they burn down? I have seen some with a little metal disc on the bottom and wondered if they are the best, for 6 it costs $8.00, pretty pricey I think. Your directions say put the wick in last, but I assumed it would be first, then the decorations and lastly the oil. What do you think?
Patti Estep
Shelly, I'm sorry the directions are not clear. This uses a floating wick. It sits on top so yes, it is placed last. The wick itself is only about an inch or so long. It's held up with a little metal holder. It should last several hours. You can easily replace it with a piece of wick from an old candle or purchase some. The long wicks with the metal on one end are meant for making wax candles and they do go in first.
Hope that helps.
Kim
On the essential oils. U r not mixing them together right. You are saying to use each one for each jar right.
Patti Estep
Kim, I did mix mine but you can do it any way you want.
Juliane
OMG I am so happy to have come across this. I just made my first candle yesterday and I am very happy with it 🙂
I just wanted everyone to know that I did use artificial decoration besides cinnamon and orange.
And it works just great <3
Going to make more soon 🙂
Thank you
Patti Estep
That's good to know. Thanks for sharing Juliane!
Lexi
Hi! So I had a question about the essential oils. I have all of those scents but I was wondering if you just did one scent per jar or if you mixed the scents in the jar? If you did mix the scents what was your favorite combination? Or should I just stick with doing one scent per jar. Thank you!
Patti Estep
Lexi, I did mix them but you could certainly just use one. I'd suggest experimenting if you have the time.
Jen K.
Hi there! These are beautiful! Any idea how long they burn for before needing to add more oil or water?
Patti Estep
Jen, they should burn for many hours. I haven't measured. It seemed like I've burned my for days before adding more oil. However, I've read that 1 tablespoon of olive oil should burn for about 2 hours. So if you leave at least 1/4 cup of oil above the plant material in theory that should burn for around 8 hours.
Maggie
Once done how long should these stay fresh without burning them right away? I am looking to make them for a craft fair that is the weekend before Thanksgiving and don't want them to spoil before then. If I make them this weekend is that too soon?
Patti Estep
I think they should be fine. However, it all depends how on what you put in there. Especially when you use materials from outside. They could have mold spores or other issues. That being said the ones I made stayed nice looking for weeks. Good luck at the fair.
ann
could you use potpourri
Patti Estep
Thanks for sharing Ann. I think potpourri would work. I'd just be careful of the oil level especially if the potpourri has lots of little bits that want to float to the surface.
kym
can you use lamp oil and not light olive oil
Patti Estep
Kym, I have not tried it. Mostly because I always have olive oil and I know what's in it. I'm not sure what's in lamp oil but I think it's more of a chemical. That's not to say you couldn't use it. I just can't advise you on it. Perhaps you could contact a lamp oil manufacturer and ask them.
Christine L Whitman
My question for you is... could a person put an old candle down the middle? or would the melted wax cause a problem?
Patti Estep
I honestly don't know. Are you suggesting a long taper candle? In that case you would be burning the candle not the oil. I think the flame would go out once it burned to the oil level. I have noticed some people using floating candles. I think those are using water not oil. The only problem with water is that it can get cloudy after a while. I don't think it would hurt to try experimenting on one. Let me know what you find.
cindy
I am making a mason jar candle with lamp oil but i have one problem my floating wicks don't stay in the middle. What can i do?
Patti Estep
Hi Cindy,
I'm sorry, I don't have a specific answer for you. The wicks do float a little but shouldn't be a big problem.
Camille
Did you use fresh cranberries?
Patti Estep
Yes I did.
Kristin Gebhart
Is there any harm in using fresh oranges or fresh pine tree? I am considering drying them myself to avoid mold and such. Do you think they'd get moldy if I put fresh organic oranges in there instead of dried ones?
Patti Estep
Hi Kristin,
I cannot say for sure but I would be worried about it.
One thing you can try is filling the jar with water and only using a couple of inches of oil at the top to float the wick.
This way you can throw out the materials if and when they turn moldy etc... without using a lot of expensive oil.
Hope that helps.
Kara
Where did you find the floating wicks?
Patti Estep
Hi Kara,
I bought them from Amazon. There's a link in the post but here's my affiliate link for your reference.
http://amzn.to/2nQLzDz
I do get a very small commission if you purchase them through me but they don't cost you any additional money.
They only cost a few dollars for 50 of them.
I've also instructed my friends to reuse the metal piece and add a little bit of wick from another old candle or tealight once the original was used.
Good luck and Merry Christmas!
Casey
I bought artificial pine and berries and cut them to size ..will these work.
Patti Estep
Hi Casey,
I can't say for sure because I've never tried using artificial pine and berries but it seems like it could work. I don't know if the oil would react with the materials and cause fading etc. over time?? You should definitely try one first and see how it does.
Samantha
I'm having trouble with my pinecones floating to the top of the jar, I'm afraid it's going to catch fire? How did you get everything to stay down?
Patti Estep
I used a wooden skewer to push them under the oil level and basically made sure I used enough materials to fill up the jar. I did not have a problem with them catching on fire, but you do need to add oil to keep the floating wick going. You can try water and it will lift the oil level but after a while the water starts to turn cloudy and doesn't look as nice.
Kay
Can anyone tell me what kind of cranberries do i need to use? Do they need to be a dried version or what?
Patti Estep
I used fresh cranberries.
Ms.
Hello I just found this. English is not my first language so I am struggling to understand how to fill the mason jar with water and oil... So do you fill water up first all the way to the top but enough room for the floating wick then top it off with light olive oil then add the floating wick on the top? Correct me if I am wrong. Thank you in advance.
Patti Estep
The best thing to do is fill them all the way with oil. Then refill with oil when the level drops. Some people do add water to raise the level, but I found that using water can cause cloudiness. Hope that helps.
Kim
Hi Patti
I love this oil lamp. I was wondering if dried contents last longer than the fresh ones? Do you also have anymore recipes? Thank you
Kim
Patti Estep
Hi Kim,
I can't say if the dried contents lasted longer. There didn't see to be a difference. However, unless you think this is going to be used up quickly I would stick with add oil instead of water to raise the level. Water tended to turn cloudy after a couple of weeks. You can find more recipes like this under the diy/projects tab. There are several soaps, candles and potpourri items that may interest you. Enjoy!
kim
Thanks Patti
I was also wondering if you've tried unscented mineral oil? As it is clear instead of yellow. Thank you
Michele king
Hi Patti,
I love the pine cone ones. Ive seen bags of mixed scented pine cones, tree trimming, xmas things. Im sure you know what i mean. But can i use that in the jars or does everything have to be freash? Can i pick stuff up out of back yard also? Also idk if you have directions you can email me, i would appreciate it. I was gonna make a bunch xmas gifts with mason jars. But my RA is preventing that. So this is a beautiful project i can do and everyone will love it. Thank you
Patti Estep
Hi Michele,
You can use pine cones from your yard but I would bake them in the oven. ( you can find tutorials online) to make sure there are no bugs, or eggs, and dry them out. Water and bacteria may cause unwanted growth to appear like mold etc...
Hope that helps,
Patti
Alisha
Hi, I love this idea! Currently planning on giving it a try this holiday season. But I was just wondering, will all of the stuff in the jar still smell while it's burning if you don't put any essential oils in it?
Patti Estep
Hi Alisha,
Honestly, I don't think so. They are more for visual appeal. There may be some scent but not enough to scent a room. That being said, you could test one to see if you like it.
Hope that helps,
Patti
Kayleigh
Hi there, I was wondering if I would be able to put raspberries/strawberries/blueberries into the jars to make a berry candle? If so do I just put them in fresh or is there a specific route I have to take to make them? Thank you so much!!
Patti Estep
Hi Kayleigh,
I would be concerned with the water content in berries. Have you ever noticed how quickly raspberries tend to mold a day or two after you buy them from the grocery store? However, I have not tried it. I would certainly suggest trying one and waiting a week to see if it is a problem before making more.
Hope that helps,
Patti
Jo
Maybe dried in preservatives...
Michele
This is a wonderful idea. TY. Im starting an looking for mason jar projects for this xmas. This will be perfect. I was wandering if vinegar would work too. I seen a piece on science show. The guy took xmas tree branches n vinegar put in pickle jar for 6 wks. Says it was scented like pine sole. And you can clean with it. Very strong. But idk if vinegar burns like oil. Wat do think?
Patti Estep
Hi Michele,
I don't think the vinegar will burn but you might want to try using vinegar and adding some oil on the top for burning. Definitely test it out on one first before buying to much for your gifts.
Good luck and thanks for stopping by,
Patti
Nicole
I love your lamps and really have to try this. Thanks Patti!!
Helen
Hi Patti,
Could you use lamp oil for this project?
Thanks Helen
Patti Estep
Hi Helen,
I have never used lamp oil so although it would seems ok, I cannot say for sure and would suggest you do some research on it.
Patti
Aynslee
Hello!
I love the candle! Do you think canola oil or any other cheaper oil would work just as well as olive oil?
Patti Estep
Hi Aynslee,
I definitely think you can use a cheaper oil, though I have not tried it. Some won't last as long as others and will turn rancid faster. Olive oil is said to have a longer shelf life so that is why I used it. Here's an article listing the shelf life of oils. Hope it helps. https://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/library/storagevegetableoils.asp
Patti
Amber Lynn
I am making these for gifts this year! I love this idea! I have made one to try a test run and see how it turns out. But I'm running into one problem. All of my stuff (pinecone, dried orange, cedar branch, and cranberries) have all floated to the top so I cannot put a wick in it to float because my pincone is sticking out of the oil. Have you had this same problem or have any advice on how to get the stuff to not float?
Patti Estep
Hi Amber,
I do not remember having that problem. I did pack mine pretty good so maybe that's the problem. You don't need a lot of oil at the top but the pine cones should not be sticking out either. Try using an old pencil or skewer to push the material down and around to see if this helps. Add more materials too. Also, I don't know if this would work but I have seen other projects where people used small floating candles on top. The weight of the candle may help but I'm not sure.
Hope this helps,
Patti
Shelley
I am having the same problem. Did you find a solution?
Ana G
These look absolutely fantastic!! I would like to make some for my mother and sister in law for Christmas. Would it be safe to ship them via USPS if packaged carefully? I live in California and they are in Colorado.
Patti Estep
Hi Ana,
I'm sure there is a way to ship them however I have no experience. I would suggest you ask someone at the post office or USP/FedEx for advice.
I'm sure your family will love them.
Patti
Michele Young
Hello,
Thank you so much for sharing this idea. I love it and I'm going to make them for coworkers and neighbors this year. I made a tester while I'm waiting for the rest of my supplies to come in and I'm wondering if there is a way to increase these scent throw as they burn? Are there oils that are better for this than others?
I'm also wondering how long the floating candles wicks last?
Thanks!
Patti Estep
Hi Michele,
Some oils are definitely stronger than others but the quantity could get pricey. I really relied on their beauty more than the scent. You could check out some candle making sites for more information on strong scents. Also, the wick holder should last a long while however the wick itself will not last that long. You could purchase some additional wicking and cut it up and add it to the gifts or simply tell or write in a message that any piece of wick from an old candle will work for a replacement.
I'm sure your coworkers and neighbors will love your gift.
Thanks for stopping by,
Patti
Georgia
Thanks for sharing. I want to try it.
Linsey
These are so beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing. I don't know anything about essential oils, though. How much do you add? How do you add them?
Patti Estep
Hi Linsey,
You can use essential oils or fragrance oils. It's hard to give an exact amount as they all have different strengths. Especially with essential oils. Some you smell right away and then they dissipate. Others are stronger. The best way to do it is to try testing the scent to see if you like it and write down how much you used. I remember using a lot of orange, maybe 50 drops or about 1/2 teaspoon. I did not use near that amount of rosemary, maybe 15 drops. The pine cones were already scented with cinnamon when I bought them, and the oranges, cranberry and pine have their own natural scent. I will also say that this project is not like a scented candle. It's more for beauty and scent.
Hope that helps,
Patti
Hannah
Do you fill the whole jar up with oil? If so wouldnt the other things in the jar burn when all the oil has burned up and theres nothing left? Or do you only add a small amount of oil on top of water that you already poured in the jar?
Patti Estep
Hi Hannah,
Two things you do need to leave some room at the tip for the oil so that your materials do not burn. Second after the oil burns and the level goes down you will have to add more oil. Originally I mentioned adding water. This works as the oil it lighter and the water will stay at the bottom. However, after a while the water got murky and it did not look pretty so I suggest more oil. One reader suggested vinegar and I think that may also work but I have not tried it.
Thanks for stopping by,
Patti
Cynthia Strecker
These are lovely! I definitely want to try them. What do you think about starting with a potpourri mixture? Especially in terms of lasting longer.
Thanks again,
Cynthia
Patti Estep
Hi Cynthia,
I'm so glad you like the oil lamps. I don't see why the potpourri would not work.
Try it!
Thanks for stopping by,
Patti
Allen
Is there any concern of the embeds burning, smoking, catching fire..... etc?
Patti Estep
Yes, to some degree, you always need to keep an eye on candles... That why I included the safety tips on my gift. Make sure there is plenty of room between the materials and the floating wick.
Peta
What a lovely, lovely idea. Middle of the year gives me time to make some of these.
Patti Estep
Thanks Peta!
Joy
I love your projects! You always inspire me to try make fun things, thank you!
Patti Estep
Thanks Joy!
That's so nice to hear.
masonjarcandles.org
Thank your for such great and detailed directions! Beautiful candles!
Patti Estep
So glad you like them.
Monique Stam
Thank you! And I'm guessing the oil will preserve it. Probably start decomposing when you add water..Wonder if vinegar in the water would help? 🙂 Knowing they lasted 3 weeks is a great help.
Monique Stam
These are stunning, wonderful gifts.
Do you have an idea of how long the botanicals last in the oil?
Patti
Hi Monique,
I really cannot say. I made some about three weeks ago and they still look good. I also think it may depend on what you put inside whether they will last longer or not.
Mamacat04
You don't mention what you did specifically with the jar lid and your photos don't show the lid on while the candle is burning? Did you cut a whole in the lid (disc) and then run the wick through it and screw the top back on and do you leave it that way while its burning? I'm thinking if you do it like in the photo with no lid and the wick burning the wick will eventually float down into the oil.
Patti
Hi,
Okay. Here's what happened. I wanted to make them with a wick through the lid. In fact, you can see in my post that this is how a made them at first. But they would not stay lit for me. 🙁 .... So I did some research and found "floating wicks." These are tiny discs with a inch piece of candle wick in the middle. They float on the top of the oil and burn nicely. The lid would only be used to cover the candle when it was not in use. As the oil burns and the wick can no longer float you can add some water which will raise the oil level or just add more light olive oil. Also, the little candle wick can be replaced with a little but of wick from an old candle/tealight etc...
I hope that answers your question. Have a Merry Christmas!
Patti
Sandy Josephson
I have used clear, unscented lamp oil when I have made my mason jar lamps. When the oil level goes down, just add more of the lamp oil. Items in the jar are preserved in the oil, and I have never had to replace anything because it molds or dis-colors. When I made one, I also used a glass-wick holder that was placed in a drilled hole in the lid.
Patti Estep
That's good to know. Thanks for sharing Sandy.
Janet
So if you use a floating wick you don’t need the hardware?
Patti Estep
Janet, there is no hardware. The floating wick just floats on top of the oil as shown in the top pic.
Laurie @ Vin'yet Etc.
These are so lovely!Thank-you for sharing! xo
Patti
Thank you Laurie!
Cecilia MyThriftStoreAddiction
Hello, saw your link on Blogtalk. These are gorgeous! Pinning and FB sharing 😉 Merry Christmas!
Patti
Thanks Cecilia!
RandiG at FrugElegance
Beautiful! I have to give this a try!
Patti
Thanks Randi!
Carole West @ Garden Up Green
This is Fantastic - I just finished all my giving for this season so this one I'll have to save for next year. Love it! These would also look amazing at the dinner table so I might have to think about trying this on a small scale. So pretty and I like that little touch of red, to simple..
Patti
Thanks Carole,
I hope everyone enjoys them as much as you. If you were a little closer...... ah but Texas is just out of my reach. 😉
Kathy Larsen
Can you use mineral oil instead of cooking oil?
Patti Estep
I'm not sure Kathy. I have never worked with mineral oil. I did a quick search and it looks like people use it for candles, so I guess it might be worth a try. Let me know how it works for you.
Scott
Or make a new friend and give it to them.☺️
Karly
How long do these candles typically last if they're unopened? I would like to make them now, but I don't want the stuff inside to turn before Christmas. Planning to make them as gifts. Thx!
Patti Estep
Karly, they should be more than fine for Christmas. I only noticed some cloudiness on mine after I had added water and even then it was a couple weeks.