5 Quick Make Your Own Candle Projects

Everyone loves candles, but they can often be pretty darn pricey. (I'm thinking of a beautiful, but expensive votive I saw in Anthropologie just the other day.) That's why I love reading about candle crafts that you can make yourself. The basic ingredients to make a candle, wax and tapers, are affordable, as are plain white votives, pillars and tapers. Because the materials are cheap, you can experiment with different ideas without breaking the bank.

Here are five fun ideas for do-it-yourself candle projects that are perfect for the end of summer or early days of fall.
Shell candles are just one of 25 candle crafts in a photo gallery from the crating queen Martha Stewart.

Lace-trimmed glass votives from Good Housekeeping are a great way to dress up dollar-store luminaries. A clever way to re-use metal tea containers: As candle tins! Look for vintage tins in junk shops or save new ones after you finish the tea leaves within. (Country Living has 12 more ideas in their candle craft gallery.)

Hanging jar lanterns from our favorite D.I.Y. blogger, Monica Ewing of Craftynest. Monica's got great step-by-step instructions for this project.

We love these natural, beeswax candles in simple, ceramic cups from the ever-green Danny Seo. Like Monica, Danny walks you through the steps to make his candles.