Recycle Used Wax Melts/Tarts into a Candle

If you've joined the craze for the wax warmers such as Scentsy or Pink Zebra or even the ones they have at Walmart, you have probably found scents you love.  However, after the wax scent dissipates, you want to change out the wax, but it seems a waste to just toss it out. 

This is an easy way to reuse the wax, and, believe it or not, the scent is still very much there once it burns.  The great thing about making these candles is that you get a slightly different scent as each layer burns through, and oftentimes it makes interesting scent combinations in the process.

I have different jars started for different scents.  I have one jar that is for the woodsy/spicy/kitchen scents such as Mountain Lodge, pumpkin pie, cinnamon spice, etc., and another that is for flowery/citrusy scents such as lavender, fresh cut grass, lemon, etc.  You can make as many or as few as you want, or even just have one jar into which everything gets dumped.  Whatever you choose, it's a great way to reuse the wax!

To make these you will need:

1 empty jar that is relatively heat safe (a Mason jar is perfect)

1 premade wick with base (I got mine at Hobby Lobby $2.99 for 5 click HERE to see)

Some type of adhesive, such as E6000, Super Glue, etc.

Melted wax

Pen, pencil, or dowel to hold the wick in place and steady while the jar is being filled.

Clean the jar and make sure it is dried.  Put a dab of adhesive on the bottom of the metal premade wick and poke it down into the jar, centering it, and then use a long object to press it to the bottom of the jar to make sure it's adhered.  

Once the wick has set, take the dowel, pencil, or pen, and wind the wick around it a couple of times until the dowel sits flush on top of the jar.  This will hold the wick centered until the jar is filled.  Next, begin pouring the melted wax.  

It's not necessary to do this all at once.  You can stick the jar in an out of the way spot and add to it whenever you change out wax in your warmer or if you've come to the end of a candle and need to pour off the remaining melted wax.  Add to this layer by layer.  

When the wax is to approximately the bottom of the threads on the jar, cut the wick off and trim to approximately 1/2 inch in length.  Now it's ready to use! (The photo below is of another candle made this way with darker wax.)

Homemade Scented Oil Diffuser

Reed scented oil diffusers are so pretty, decorative, and they smell great.  I love walking into a home where there is a light scent.  It just makes the home feel cozier and more friendly.  If you think about the wonderful times in your life, there is usually a smell associated with them, such as pine for Christmas, vanilla sugar cookies for time spent with your mother, or, if you're like me, motor oil and carburetor cleaner from when your dad came in from working on cars!  Don't worry, they don't make oil and carburetor scents.  :-)

Unfortunately, reed oil diffusers can be pricey if you buy them in the store.  They are a wonderful way to have scent in your home without worrying about lit candles or lighted wax warmers.  

You can easily make one at home!  There are a 2-3 different techniques for making the diffuser solution.  I will post the one shown in the photo first, and then post some easier ones.  

ITEMS NEEDED:

• bamboo skewers from utensil aisle at Walmart (these are 99 cents for something like 50 to 100 of them)
• mineral oil or baby oil (unscented is best), sweet almond oil, or olive oil
• Scented oils or essential oils
• rubbing alcohol or cheap vodka 
• OR perfume
• OR  liquid potpourri
• food coloring if oil is an off color
• vase
• Decorative glass stones or rocks

If you are going to blend your own scents, you will need a "carrier oil."  This is one that is suitable for diluting your essential oil or scented oil.  Things like plain salad oil are too thick and will only coat the bamboo skewers and not allow the scent to be absorbed into the reeds/bamboo skewers. 

Also, I usually try to place some objects in the bottom of my vase or bottle because it gives it some weight, making the bottle or vase less likely to tip over if bumped.  

For diffuser recipe #1 I used: 

• 1/4 cup olive oil (try to use colorless; unfortunately mine was tinted a light green)
• 20 drops essential or scented oil 
• 1-2 tablespoons rubbing alcohol or vodka 
• food coloring to desired tint

Place stones or glass pebbles into the bottom of the chosen vase or bottle.  This is so that you don't have to use as much oil to bring the solution to a higher level on the reeds.  Mix recipe #1 well and pour over stones.  Add a hand full of bamboo skewers to the mixture and place in an out-of-the-way spot.  After a few days, turn the reeds over so that the soaked portion is upright and the unsoaked portion is in the diffuser mixture.  Repeat this in a couple of days or a week so that the bamboo skewers are fully saturated.  

Recipe #2:  

• 1/4 to 1/2 cup of your chosen carrier oil 
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup of perfume
• food coloring, if desired

Mix ingredients in equal amounts and pour into vase with stones.  Add diffuser reeds.  Because perfume contains alcohol, there is no need to add rubbing alcohol or vodka to the mixture. 

Recipe #3, which really isn't a recipe at all: 

• liquid potpourri 
• diffuser reeds
• stones/glass pebbles
• Vase 

Place stones or glass pebbles in vase.  Add liquid potpourri, and then place reeds into vase and liquid.  

That's it!!  Any of these methods work well and will give you a pleasant, light scent without being overly heavy.  With the choices of oils and potpourri scents, you can develop your own scent combinations that are pleasing or use your favorite perfume to scent a room.  

It is not necessary to have stones or anything in the bottom, and you also may use an opaque vase or bottle to contain your reeds, especially depending on the items you have on hand.  It's fun to do, it's economical, and it makes your house smell wonderful!

Homemade Decorated Mugs - Simple Gifts

Homemade decorated Sharpie mugs are so much fun!  I made this one while I was waiting for my coffee to brew.  Mustaches are popular right now, and they make for a whimsical design added to a coffee mug.  Everyone looks more debonair with a mustache, right? 

To make this you will need: 

1 white coffee mug (I got mine at Dollar Tree)

Sharpie markers in your choice of colors

Cookie Sheet 

Oven temperature and time:  350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Draw your design on your mug.  If you are not steady handed, there are numerous printable templates that you can cut out and tape onto the mug, then color in.  I did my design free-handed.  It's a little lop sided, but sometimes mustaches are, too.  

Place mug(s) on a cookie sheet and place them in the oven.  Cook at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  I leave my mugs in the oven and allow them to cool down with the oven.  Remember these mugs will be VERY hot and will be very sensitive to temperature changes, so it's best to let them cool completely before handling them. 

Once baked and cooled, the designs will become colorfast.   It is recommended to hand wash the mug, rather than putting it in a dishwasher, as most dishwasher soap contains a mild abrasive and can eventually erode the design. 

I have seen so many cute designs for these mugs.  One was a his and her that had half of a heart on one mug and the other half of the heart on the other mug.  You can write poetry, bible verses, or other inspirational sayings on your mugs.  I saw another where a funny nose shape was drawn on the bottom of the mug so that it looked like a plain white mug, but then turned up for a drink, the funny nose showed. 

Because Sharpies come in numerous colors, your designs can go from simple to elaborate.  HERE is a blog post from Pearls Poppies Pinkies Up showing more elaborate designs.  I've seen some that were goofy to some that were artistically elaborate.  For a truly elaborate design see post HERE from the official Sharpie Marker blog. 

Once your mug is designed, baked, and cooled, you can now either give it as an individual gift or fill it with goodies, wrap it in clear plastic, and tie with a bow.  Sharpie marker painted cups are a simple, unique gift that the receiver can appreciate every time they pour themselves a cup of coffee or enjoy a cup of tea. 

Refrigerator Magnets or Necklace - Simple Gifts

So you're looking for something fun to make that's easy, unique, and can be personalized.  How about refrigerator magnets from glass pebbles?!  The glass pebbles can be purchased at Dollar Tree for $1.00 per bag for 14 oz., which is a lot of pebbles.  You might even have a few of these left over from prior craft projects, such as the hardware store jewelry from a prior post, and this is a great way to use up the remaining pebbles.

These can be personalized with funny sayings, photos, scrapbook paper, or definitions from an old dictionary.  Above is a collection of magnets featuring Mae West, two from a scrapbook paper collection, one photo of my son sitting in my father's lap, and one from the peace sign collection.  

Glue a magnet to the back for refrigerator magnets, or glue a bail to the back of a finished piece and string it on a chain to wear as a necklace pendant.  

SUPPLIES: 

• Glass pebbles
• Photos, scrapbook paper, typed sayings, or photos from a magazine.
• Clear Tacky Glue craft glue such as this:  Duncan 239396 Aleenes Quick Dry in. Tacky in. Glue-4 Ounce (Google Affiliate Ad)
• Mod Podge
• Paintbrush or sponge applicator 
• Packing tape (to seal items that are not color fast)
• Glue-on magnets (You can use old magnets from business cards and calendars, but they must be a strong magnet, otherwise they will not hold the weight of the glass pebble.)

Pick out the photos or pictures you want to use.  Check how they look by placing the glass pebble over the photo.  The glass tends to act as a lens and magnify the picture a bit.  

 The flower on this chair is very pretty and makes a great focal point!

 Ooooohhhh, who lives in a pineapple under the sea?

The pattern on this shirt is very pretty and would make a wonderful collage of fall themed magnets or a pretty pendant! 

Once you have determined which photos look best, cut out a small portion of the item, leaving enough so that a bit sticks out on the side of the glass. 

Turn your glass pebbles over and coat them with a small bit of the clear tacky glue.  

If you are using photos or other printable items that have ink that would smear or bleed, now is the time to seal those between two pieces of packing tape. These are small photos of family members I printed on my printer and needed to seal so that the ink wouldn't bleed. 

Once the pebble is coated with glue, press it glue side down onto the face of the photo or item.  Press hard so that the glue spreads out and adheres to the entire photo.  Make sure you press firmly enough that there are no bubbles in the glue.  

Once adhered appropriately, flip these over, glass side down, and allow to dry for several hours.  Once completely dry, use scissors to trim away the excess paper.  Using a sponge applicator or paintbrush, apply a couple of thin coats of Mod Podge over the backs of the pebbles, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly.  Several thin coats are better than one large coat of Mod Podge.  Otherwise, strange things happen to the paper once it's very wet. Once dry, glue a magnet to the back.

To turn one of these into a pendant, skip the magnet and instead spray the back of the piece with clear spray paint to provide a waterproof finish.  Unfortunately, Mod Podge is water soluble, so if you sweat and it's next to your skin, the Mod Podge will dissolve.  So a coat or two of clear spray paint will seal this.  Once completely dry, adhere a glue-on bail to the back of the pendant, allow it to set, and string on a pretty chain!

See the photo above of the magazine page with the woman holding the dog.  The pendant above is made from the pattern on the chair in the photo!