Happy Friday, TGIF, and all of that! It’s been a very strangely busy week for me, but not in a good “accomplished a lot” kind of way. I think I’ve been a little distracted, tried catching a bit of a cold, and on top of it, the weather was gorgeous for January, so I did a little running here and there. I certainly feel for those out east who are getting the brunt of the bad weather.

So for today’s post, I’m going to share a couple of ideas of what you can do with those leftover jars from candles. I love to burn scented candles, but am always left with a lot of glassware when the candle is gone. Those darn things seem to multiply like bunnies when you’re not looking. It’s kind of like the glass vases that you collect over time from flower arrangements. Before you know it, you have a herd of them!

First get a large pot and boil some water on your stove top. Now the first two disclaimers here, are 1) I use an electric cook top, so consider the difference in the direct heat of a gas flame if that is what you have, and adjust accordingly; and 2) there is some chance of some wax seeping into the water, and therefore your pan, if you’re not extra careful, so if you prefer not to have to watch it that closely, use an old pot that you no longer cook with, or maybe pick up a cheap one at the dollar store or thrift store. Okay, so now to continue…place your candle containers into the pan with boiling water (should only go up the side of your container about halfway). I usually will do a few a time, but if it’s your first try, just do one so you can test it and see how it all works with your stove, pan, etc. The remaining wax will melt, as will the small dab of adhesive they use to hold the wick base at the bottom of the jar.

Now at this point we will remove the jars but they are VERY HOT, so use some type of mitt or glove to hold the jar and wipe clean with paper toweling. Even the black soot part wipes clean quite easily. Your hands can get a little dirty through this process, so you can wear some rubber gloves if you like. So as you see in this next pic, the first run gets the majority of the wax and yuck removed, but there can still be a little wax glaze feel to the glass. So I will usually repeat the process again with setting them into the water bath one more time and it helps to then melt down that last little glaze that is left. Here they are after the second bath.

After that you are free to design away and make them fit whatever décor or use you like. Here I made a large candle jar into bow storage to put in my wrap station. I used some washi tape directly on the jar, made a little “swash” over the tape with some black craft paint, and placed some sparkly alphabet letters from my scrapbooking stash. Now it has a new home and looks cute as a button.

Another one took up residence in my bathroom and holds my little buf puf scrubbies.

Other places I have used them are for storing cotton balls, containers for small supply items in my scrapbooking and craft area, to corral spare buttons, as a small sewing repair kit in my bedroom….it goes on and on. Share some of your ideas with me! Does that get some of your juices flowing? Try it this weekend and let me know how it goes! Thanks for stopping by and I hope your weekend is Flippin’ Fabulous!