Do you live in the land of ice and snow? If so you will be able to make ice candles and display them outdoors. But, if you live in a warm climate, you still can make them,…in your freezer! Ideal for when company is expected, since this project is so un-expected!
Winter whimsy!
Marie Niemann first showed us ice candles in her Utah garden. She says, “It’s really easy to make ice candles! You basically fill a container with water either outside or in your freezer. You can use a bucket or something smaller like a Jell-o mold. Place a glass weighted with rocks or marbles in the center of the mold to create a spot for your candle, making sure the glass sticks up above the water level. Add anything you’d like to the water for decorations. Freeze and enjoy! Fire and Ice!”
Marie’s woodsy ice candles
Marie says, “I made these in the photo above using whatever I could find around the house that would hold water and that were sturdy enough to freeze. This time, I used a 2 liter bottle, a small milk carton and also a tin jello mold.”
Here’s how:
1) To use a soda bottle, simply cut the top off to where its about 7″ tall or depending on how tall you want your candle, or have space in your freezer. I went around my yard snipping off sprigs of plants to add to it for decoration.
2) Fill it with water a couple of inches from the top leaving enough space for the ice to expand. Add whatever greenery or cranberries to the container that you choose. Or nothing at all, the ice candles are beautiful plain too.
3) Put a small plastic cup in the center and add rocks to weigh it down but not so much that it will sink. It needs to sit a little above the water line so it won’t fill up and sink.
4) Set it in the freezer until solid, then remove and run a little hot water on the outside of the jug and the ice candle will slide right out.
5) Remove the plastic cup and put a votive candle in or battery flicker lights and enjoy!
Marie Niemann’s vivid red ice candles
“When making these ice candles, the cranberries turned the water red before they froze solid. I also experimented using a small pail, and a bunt cake tin and a Jell-o mold. The smaller containers could be used to make them in your freezer. I’ve also made them using other berries and greenery from the garden. Use caution or else when it thaws, the cranberries could end up staining whatever surface the candle sits on, ” Marie tells us.
This ice candle is the focal point of the galvanized double sink.
Annie Steen says, “This is my ice candle~ I cheated a bit and used the freezer, Olde Man Winter was not cooperating…”
You may remember Annie from seeing her fabulous galvanized tipsy pots. Annie shared this candle, above, with a soda bottle mold. Cranberries and fine textured hedge clippings complete the Christmasy look.
Annie’s ice candle windowbox
Note: If you keep your candle inside, put a dish underneath to catch drips,….or keep it in the thin, clear mold.
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Instruction video with Candice Olsen
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2 Comments
Sue …thanks for sharing all these instructions on the FMG blog … great examples from Marie & Annie! I’m going to give this a try during the long Winter ahead! Beautiful!
I made these ice candles last year for my son’s birthday and they were a great hit . I added red food colour to the water and it looked superb when the candle lit up . Thanks for sharing