They say knowing you have a problem is the first step toward recovery. I am addicted to Yankee Candles. There, I've said it.
I have been recycling the jars for quite a while and here is how I do it.
I use a knife and remove the scented wax (the recycle for this is coming up below). I keep them in separate baggies. I use some as scent tarts, a secondary addition.
I put the jars in the oven at 200 degrees to melt the remaining wax.
I wipe the melted wax out using a paper towel, careful; the glass will be hot.
Then I remove the label. I employ many techniques here: a knife, a razor blade, goo off - whatever works.
Here is my set up for making the Fire Starters. The rum on the table was there for making rum balls - I swear! I purchased aluminum muffin trays so I wouldn't transfer any scent to my regular baking tins.
I used these cute Christmas themed cupcake papers I couldn't find wicking, so I used a good cotton twine I bought at the hardware store. The pine cones I picked up on my walks with coco. The long ones were cut in half.
Rich was the chief alchemist. We used a large tomato can, which we pinched into a spout. We put it right on the stove burner on med/low. We did different batches with the same color or scent.
The Fire Starter is:
Paper Cupcake Liners
Pine Cones
Piece of 4 inch Cotton for wick
1/2 inch Melted Scented Wax.
(be sure to let them cool and harden before moving them from the tins)
I used these bread bags that I found at the craft store. They came with ribbons and round tags. I was able to use my own address labels - Bonus!
Here is our finished gift. I think with supervision, these would be great to make with kids. They look cute and smell great sitting by the fireplace.
I use my clean candle jars in my sewing room for buttons, pom poms and other fun things.
I did Confess to having an addiction to these.
Thank you so much for all your nice comments about my 4-patch Log Cabin. It means so much to me to hear from you.
Have a great weekend.
20 comments:
I have a couple you could have, I used yankee candles for power outages! the generator was hooked up yesterday !
cute idea and so thrifty/green! love that, great hostess gifts, etc.
great idea to do with kids.
Great recycling idea, you are amazing! Now I know what to do with all those glass candle jars, I hat throwing them out.
Clever idea for repurposing. I'm addicted to candles too... especially during the long winter months when the windows remained closed.
It's ok, at least you're not addicted to fabric, like me lol! Alot easier to store a few little jars :) Loved your tutorial and tell hubby if he wants to make some more of pouring cans, I think they would sell!
I had to laugh at your set up as I had a similar set up the year I want to use up some candles stubs and make my hard to buy for brother a Christmas present. I used toliet paper tubes, stuffed twiggs, twisted newspaper and kindling into the tube pored wax into and over several times, then wrapped tissue paper around the tube to make it look like a Christmas cracker. Never heard if he used them. The kicker was I only used 4 or 5 candles and still had dozens "left" in the drawer. We do get points for REUSE.
That looks like a big project! No fireplace in our new home, but I bet they smell wonderful.
Well, I've never been a big candle user, but I AM addicted to jars, and I'm thinking I might need to start buying candles just to feed my jar addiction LOL! What a great idea -- and fun gift. You're a genius!
I love how you admitted your addiction and came up with a great repurpose for the jars and the leftover wax. They're both great ideas. Wish I had a wood burning fireplace, but the candle jars will never be thrown out again.
OMG! That's Brilliant! I just smacked myself up the head for being wasteful. I'm going through the trash right now!
Awesome!!!! And I just LOVE that cheddar bowtie quilt you have the gift on! SO GORGEOUS!!!
I think I remember someone blogging once about putting the jar in the freezer, and the wax comes right out! Hmmm! I didn't have many jar candles, so I wasn't paying much attention at the time. Maybe worth a try.
Oh--I always hated to get rid of those jars--I have some of my Grand'mere's old blue glass canning jars (with the leaded lids) that I use to store buttons, pins, etc. I will definitely re-purpose my many empty YK jars--Thanks for the tip!! Julierose P.S. Love your projects....
Another very cool idea - we have a fire going all winter & used packs and packs of fat sticks to start things - will have to think about this starters for next season. Thank you for sharing!!
What a great project! You are quite the recycler. All you need to do is find a use for the discarded label - lol.! They look wonderful all packaged up on your cheddar bow tie quilt :0)
Very clever! Fun to find things you and the hubby can do together. One of the perks to an empty nest.
What a fun and fabulous idea!! I think it's great that Rich helped you and even Coco did her bit by enticing you on walks where you would find pine cones. Love the line up of jars full of wonderful things.
COOL!!!!~
I just save my wax and add it to another candle. I will try this! Great idea for the jars. I love Goo Gone , but did not think of this.
Hey, Is that a VANISHING DESIGN WALL!?!?!? I have one of those! I love it!!!!~
You are so clever
I probably shouldn't say this, but addicts come up with the greatest ideas...that makes you a RECOVERING addict!
GREAT idea!
In stitches,
Teresa :o)
I've used the freezer trick for candle "jars" that have straight sides (works great) - not sure it would work very well with the curve of the YC jar. Love your idea even if you don't have a fireplace. Like you said, just sitting in the room or bathroom would be wonderful!!
pretty smart idea.
Fun!! I got a basket o these from a friend and they are great.
Thanks for the how to information - you are so creative!!
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