all-natural hostess gift: part 2

Over the next few weeks, we’ll show you our favorite homemade gift ideas – and of course, how to make them yourself.  Yesterday, we started our how-to series for an all-natural, orange-clove scented cleaning set.  If you missed yesterday’s post on the all-natural cleaners, click here to catch up.  Today we’ll show you how to make an all-natural, orange-clove scented soy wax candle (and show you how you can make this set a picture perfect presentation.)

Love the homemade feel, but don’t have the homemade time?  Order up this set for $28.  Contact us at jen@littlesproutcreations.com for more details.

To make the candle, you’ll need:
natural soy wax “for container candles”.  i love cargill’s c-3 naturewax.
standard wicks.  this pack from candlewic is great.
essential oils.  i used AuraCacia’s “sweet orange” and “clove bud” oils (purchased at whole foods.)
a jar.  for this batch, i used a sampling of hermetic jars from container store, and some cleaned-out food jars.
a melting pot.  you can get a standard wax pot from any craft supply store, or simply use an old sauce pot.  depending on what oils you use, be careful about reusing the pot for cooking, as some oils are toxic when ingested.

Ready to begin?  Let’s go!
Get a large pot of water boiling on your stove.
Fill your melting pot with wax chips.
Hold melting pot in boiling water, as if you’re melting chocolate.
Stir wax occasionally.  As it starts to melt, you can add more wax chips in (depending on how many candles you’re making.)  For stirring, I use the non-business end of a wooden spoon.
Within about 5 minutes, your wax should be nearly melted (and your arm exhausted from holding the melting pot!)  The wax will go from solid chips, to a cloudy-chunky mixture, to a completely clear, yellow-tinted liquid.
Add your oils – keep smelling until it’s the concentration that you’d like.
Grab your wicks, place them into your jars, and pour in the wax.  There are contraptions that will make sure your wick stays exactly straight, but I feel like as long as the disc is at the bottom, and the lighting end is at the top, somewhere in the middle of the jar, it’s perfect
Allow your candles to set.  This usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the size of your jar.
Trim your wicks – i usually trim mine to about 3/4”-1”.
Stick on your fancy label (we’ll design and print some for you!)
Place near your nose, smell, and enjoy your hard work.

Once you’ve made your all-natural cleaners and candle, it’s time to get them prettied up for giving.  To make this set, fill a small basket with excelsior (container store has both), and tuck the cleaners and candle inside, padded with two natural, biodegradable sponges (twist brand, purchased at whole foods).  Pamper your thanksgiving hostess with this great set, perfect for getting her house back together after the food and festivities!