This mason jar oil candle lamp is created with beautiful pine cones, evergreens, and cinnamon sticks, combined with essential oils make great gifts for the holidays.
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, and several survivalists using vegetable oils for an extra lighting source when the power goes out. One of the articles specifically talked about using olive oil, as it burns well without an unpleasant odor.
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That’s where I started. I wanted the oil candle lamp to smell nice so I used scented pine cones, cinnamon sticks and added some essential oils.
The first few I made were so beautiful. I packed them with botanicals, drilled a hole in the lid and added a cotton wick.
Only they did not work. 😐
The wick would only stay lit for a minute or two, even after letting it soak overnight.
So after some research and experimentation, I found floating wicks
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.
Oil Candle Supplies
Pint Mason Jars
Olive Oil
Dried Orange Slices
Cinnamon Sticks
Small Pine Cones
Essential Oils (rosemary
Safety Caution: Candles need to handle 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 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.
How to Make Mason Jar Oil Candles
Start by filling the mason jar
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 oil would be great too.
Just know that adding essential oils probably won’t compare to a scented wax candle. However, it will definitely help with an unpleasant smell from the oil.
Mason Jar Oil Candle
Fill the jar with oil, then add your floating wick.
Tips:
- 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.
Update: One of my readers asked if they could use artificial materials. I haven’t tried it but as long as you keep them below the flame I think they would work. And, you may not have a bacteria problem when adding water.
I’m adding these tags to my gifts. Feel free to copy them. You can right-click to “save as” and print them as you would a photo or insert them into a Word document.
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.
P.S. Some other popular holiday gift ideas are: Simmering Potpourri, Herbal Bath Salts and Alcohol Ink Jewelry Dishes. You can find them and many more fun ideas on my DIY Projects Page.
Check out my DIY/Projects Page,
for more great handmade gifts and project ideas.
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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.
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.
Alice Clayton
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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!