Seashell Candles

How to Make Seashell Tea Candles

by Jane Lake

Set the mood with a plate of homemade seashell tea candles – perfect for nautical decorating, or as a natural home accent on the dinner table.

Craft Supplies:

• 3 seashells, at least large enough to contain the wax from a tea candle
• 3 tea candles

Instructions:

Remove the wax candles from the metal holders of three tea candles. Turn the candles over and remove the metal wick holder and wicks, as shown on the left.

Place the wicks in the center of three seashells, turned upside down.

Melt the wax (see notes below) from one tea candle and pour into one of the seashells, leaving the wick upright in the center. Repeat for the other two seashell tea candles.

Let the candles cool, then arrange on a plate or other fireproof surface. Make sure that each seashell candle will stand upright while burning, without any danger of tipping over and spilling hot wax. You could use other shells to surround and stabilize the seashell candles or partially embed the seashell candles in a pretty dish filled with sand.

Safety Notes:

Melting candle wax can be dangerous. You can safely melt candle wax over a double boiler. I have also melted some of my tea candles in a small metal container placed on a marble potpourri oil burner, over another lit tea candle. Another method that I have seen described is to microwave each tea candle at high power for 8 minutes, in a microwave-safe and heat proof container. However, I have not tried this and it may not be safe for your microwave.

Always follow your microwave manufacturer’s safety recommendations and please do NOT perform ANY procedure that you feel may be unsafe. We are not responsible for accidents or injuries that may occur during any procedure described on this web site. Candle wax and candles are flammable and must be treated with great care. Never leave any candle or candle wax unattended while melting or burning and follow all appropriate safety precautions.