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DIY Terracotta Candles – I’m Obsessed With

You’ll agree these DIY terracotta candles made with beeswax are just the thing for bohemian-style entertaining. I’m obsessed with making these!

I think I’ve become a little obsessed with tea light candles. Maybe it’s because they are so simple to make. Or maybe it’s the fact that tea lights are so inexpensive to make compared to container candles. 

For whatever reason, I’m back at it again with these tea light candles. But they’re not your ordinary tea light.

Hand-poured beeswax into rustic terracotta candle pots, they have all the charm of bohemian style. A sublime pairing of natural textures and colors that defines the carefree vibe of relaxed, boho style. 

You’ll agree these DIY terracotta candles are just the thing for a bohemian-style gathering. And they are perfect for entertaining all year, indoors or out. Maybe that’s why I’m obsessed with making these!

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If you’re questioning- is terracotta safe for candles, the answer is, “YES”, if you do this FIRST!

Is terracotta safe for candles?

If you’re questioning- whether is terracotta safe for candles, the answer is “YES,” if you do this FIRST! 

And by this, I mean terracotta pots can be used to make candles when properly prepared. Because terracotta is made from natural clay, which is a porous material, it could soak up the candle wax and become a giant wick, creating an enormous flame. (definitely, not what we want)

And anything made from clay is fragile. Terracotta can have visible and internal cracks that we can’t see. So, even if you don’t see any cracks, terracotta must be sealed first to make it safe for candles. 

But don’t worry, it’s easy to do! 

I chose this adorable set of 12 terracotta candle pots crafted of clay. Their small size makes them not only very affordable to make a candle in but also versatile to decorate with. And each terracotta candle pot is undoubtedly unique. 

How To Prepare Terracotta For Candle Making: 

1. Check for visible cracks – avoid using terracotta pots with known cracks.

2. Wipe dust or debris away with a damp cloth.

3. Seal terracotta by applying two heavy coats of 100% waterproof sealant with 30 minutes of drying time between each coating. 

Once you’ve done that, the steps to make a terracotta candle are the same as any other container candle: melt the wax and pour it into a container prepared with a wick.

(It might surprise you how many containers need to be sealed first before making candles in them. Find a complete list here.)

I should mention you can use a tea light candle that comes in a metal cup inside these terracotta pots. But I think they are much more dreamy when you hand-pour beeswax into them. Don’t you agree?

Related To: Creative Lemon Bowl Candles 

Ways To Reuse Terracotta Pots

Not only can you make your own candles with beeswax in terracotta pots, but you can also use them for a variety of things to add a carefree bohemian look to your home. 

– Start seeds for gardening

– Hold jewelry rings or a bracelet

– Pop in an air plant

– Fill with homemade potpourri 

– Use as placeholders for entertaining

If you choose to reuse these terracotta pots after the candle is done, just pot out the candle wick with a butter knife and scrape out the wax. 

Related To: Citronella Tea Light Candles Tutorial

How to make DIY terracotta candle pots.

How to Make Terracotta Candle Pots

This tutorial uses these tea light size terracotta pots. But you can make terracotta candles of any size when you know how much candle wax to use. See this how-to-measure wax guide and candle wax calculator here to make other sizes. 

Candle Supplies You’ll Need:

6 terracotta candle pots 

.25 pounds of beeswax pastilles

6 tea light candle wicks (1 ½ inch)

6 glue dots

DIY Terracotta Candles Instructions:

1. Press a tea light candle wick into a glue dot on the roll. Then, place it into the center base of one terracotta candle pot. Repeat until you have prepared six.

2. Use a kitchen scale to measure .25 pounds of beeswax pastilles. Pour it into a candle melting pot. Place the beeswax-filled pitcher inside a saucepan filled with about 2 inches of water. Using the double boiler method, heat on low heat with a gentle simmer at most. Stir slowly, yet often, and do not heat the wax above 170°F.

3. Remove the pitcher from the heat immediately after melting. Check the temperature of the wax with a quick infrared thermometer or a candle thermometer. The best temperature to pour beeswax is 150-160°F. The wax will still be liquid but cool enough to coat the sides of your pouring pitcher.

4. Carefully pour the wax into each prepared terracotta pot. I recommend using a funnel or a narrow pouring pitcher like this one to help avoid spills. It is also helpful to line your work area with old newspaper or parchment paper to catch any drips or overpours. 

Notes:

Without the addition of fragrance, you can light one of these candles after curing for a few hours. And you don’t need to trim these wicks as they are sized for tea lights. 

For cleaning up, place your candle pitcher back in the double boiler and allow the wax to melt a bit more. Then, remove it from the double boiler and wipe the excess wax away with an old cloth or paper towel. Beeswax can be tough to clean up, and that’s putting it lightly; I have a separate candle melting pitcher for making beeswax candles, lip balm, beeswax sachets, solid perfume, and everything else my heart desires. 

GRAB THE PRINTABLE RECIPE HERE

I’m obsessed with these DIY terracotta candles, they are so simple to make and have all the charm of Boho style!

DIY Terracotta Candles

Yield: 6 candles
Prep Time: 1 hour
Active Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

I’m obsessed with these DIY terracotta candles, they are so simple to make and have all the charm of Boho style! 

Materials

  • 6 terracotta candle pots 
  • .25 pounds of beeswax pastilles
  • 6 tea light candle wicks (1 ½ inch)
  • 6 glue dots

Tools

  • candle melting pot
  • digital scale
  • infrared thermometer

Instructions

  1. Press a tea light candle wick into a glue dot on the roll. Then, place it into the center base of one terracotta candle pot. Repeat until you have prepared six.
  2. Use a kitchen scale to measure .25 pounds of beeswax pastilles. Pour it into a candle melting pitcher. Place the beeswax-filled pitcher inside a saucepan filled with about 2 inches of water. Using the double boiler method, heat on low heat with a gentle simmer at most. Stir slowly, yet often, and do not heat the wax above 170°F.
  3. Remove the pitcher from the heat immediately after melting. Check the temperature of the wax with a quick infrared thermometer or a candle thermometer. The best temperature to pour beeswax is 150-160°F. The wax will still be liquid but cool enough to coat the sides of your pouring pitcher.
  4. Carefully pour the wax into each prepared terracotta pot. I recommend using a funnel or a narrow pouring pitcher like this one to help avoid spills. And it is also helpful to line your work area with old newspaper or parchment paper to catch any drips or overpours. 

Notes

  • Without the addition of fragrance, you can light one of these candles after curing for a few hours. And you don’t need to trim these wicks as they are sized for tea lights. 
  • For cleaning up, place your candle pitcher back in the double boiler and allow the wax to melt a bit more. Then remove it from the double boiler and wipe excess wax away with an old cloth or paper towel.

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Get the most out of your homemade candles with the best candle care tips! Grab these free printable candle care cards in the Simple Living Library. Give one with your homemade candles to a friend, or hang one on your bulletin board to remind you of the best candle care tips!

printable candle care cards

These DIY terracotta candles are perfect for entertaining indoors and outdoors! As shown in the photo above, they add a beautiful glow to tables when placed in a row. And don’t you think they make great party or wedding favors, too? DIY Candles made in terracotta are adorable, neutral, and all-natural. 

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I’m obsessed with these DIY terracotta candles, they are so simple to make and have all the charm of Boho style!

Pin these steps on how to make terracotta candle pots! Tag #lifenreflection on Instagram to share candle-making with me.

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