Advertisement

How to make Wintery ice candles

Do you live in the land of ice and snow?  If so you will be able to make ice candles and display them outdoorsBut, 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.

Advertisement

 

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.

 

***

Instruction video with Candice Olsen

 

***

Sue Langley

Sue Langley, a passionate gardener and photographer lives and gardens with her husband and Corgi, Maggie on 7 acres just south of Yosemite, Zone 7 at 3000 feet. She manages the Flea Market Gardening Facebook page and website.

View Comments

  • Jeanne Sammons says:

    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

Recent Posts

Boat gardens sail away…with our hearts

Grow, Grow, Grow, Your Boat... These boat gardens are beautiful, colorful, and well grown.  It looks like a lot of… Read More

4 years ago

Decorate your garden with blue!

'Paint' Your Garden with Blue... Is your garden is singing the blues? Mix recycled containers and crafts with blue flowers… Read More

4 years ago

Lost and Found in the Garden

See this hilarious and sometimes poignant list of lost items in the garden Question.......what was the last thing you lost… Read More

4 years ago

Jeanne’s garden Baker’s rack

Designing a charming garden baker's rack When I first saw Jeanne’s well-arranged and simply delightful Baker’s rack, I thought, ‘Somebody… Read More

4 years ago

Billie’s Yellows in the garden

Choosing a color from 'Over the Rainbow Garden' Billie Hayman's garden is full of color and she shows how one… Read More

4 years ago

Alliums in the garden, real & crafty!

Alliums are drama queens in the garden! Whether real flowers, grown from bulbs or the crafted faux flowers modeled after… Read More

4 years ago
Advertisement