Candle Crafting ~ Candle Glass, Cautions and Old Curios

One of your major concerns, as a candle crafter, is your container selection. You want it to represent the artist in you, to be both beautiful and functional, more than just the average joe. There are many places you can get your containers, the Dollar Tree being my personal favorite, when I'm looking for something off the beaten trail. If your town has a salvage store, you can often pick up cases or singles of bar glass or heavy juice type glasses for way under the regular cost.

Dollar Tree has a great selection of glassware in both their craft section, where you can often find Libby seconds, or in their kitchen section. This is the most practical way for the casual candle crafter to get their glass. Much of the stock is ever changing, like the coffee mugs...you can get a variety of themes, from the current holiday to latte style! In the kitchen glassware, you can sometimes find neat lidded containers like these beehives...hard to believe they're just a dollar! If you decide to use their stemware, make sure it's a heavy grade of glass in thickness. Most of the Dollar Tree holiday wine glasses are the heavier grade; I've never had an issue with them. You just have to compare their clear glass. I do have an addendum to the standard safety recommendations when using wine or martini glass...and that is to keep the burning candles and the unburning ones, too, well out of the reach of children, crawling babies, sassy cats and dogs with happy, wagging tails! They are, by nature, top heavy, and must be placed on a level surface. They are NOT weebles...they will fall down!

I've been able to find these mini Coke glasses at our local Dollar Tree consistently since 2015. They are the cutest! They'll hold about 6 oz of wax and make a great $5 gift, if you're selling your candles.

Alternately, you can order your glass by the case. Most of your larger candle suppliers, like Natures Garden, Lone Star or Southwest will sell glass that is designed for candles. You can count on spending at least a dollar on each, more in the case of a glass lidded apothecary style, closer to the $1.50 to $2 range. I suggest a supplier close to home as possible, as shipping is steep, and there's not much to be done about that! Shipping has to factor in to your cost evaluations and price setting.

Because I'm dealing in larger quantities, I need to have a reliable supply of a standard glass...I love the unique shape of these tureen glasses. They're perfectly fine, with their gold lids; or, to make them unique, you can decorate them with snippets of florals from...you guessed it...the Dollar Tree!

Ok, who has one of these sets gathering dust in the closet??? Put the glassware from the '50's punch bowl set for your candles! The glass is quite sturdy and they'll hold about 4 to 5 oz. of wax. Look for these at flea markets, yard sales, estate sales, and resale shops! Another BOLO would be for pretty tea cups...I have not found these yet. The newer porcelain ones are cost prohibitive, and I've just not hit the local antique shops yet. I kinda got distracted! LOL

Yeah...the checkout clerk was just lovin' me, this day!! This is the result of one shopping trip to my local Dollar Tree a while back! I can truthfully say that the people behind me in line were quite happy when they opened up a second register!

Whatever you decide, make it you and make it fun! Until next time, friends, keep on Steemin' on!