How to DIY Candles using Vintage Porcelain for Mother’s Day

Do you want a unique, affordable and beautiful gift for Mothers Day? I have a fabulous idea for you today, which can be personalized and won’t break the bank. Come on in and let me share how to DIY candles using thrifted vintage porcelain pieces to create precious gifts for Mother’s Day.

how to DIY candles using vintage porcelain

Charming porcelain pieces can be found at thrifts, garage sales, flea markets and more. By easily transforming them into beautiful hand poured candles, creates a magical, personal gift for Mother’s Day.

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Today I am sharing seasonal inspiration with blogging friends. Thank you to our host Carol from Bluesky at Home for bringing us together to share all things Mother’s Day & Spring time celebrations related for our home. Please make sure to visit all the additional bloggers sharing in the Celebrate the Holiday series at the end of this post.

If you’re coming over from visiting Kimberly @ From Florida to Farmhouse, welcome, I am so glad you are here! Kim is sharing more Mother’s Day inspiration you don’t want to miss. If you’re a regular reader, thanks for stopping by. If you don’t know me, I am looking forward to getting to know you.

MaryJo behind the blog

You can find all the other bloggers sharing more Spring celebrations & Mother”s Day content at the bottom of this post. Make sure to visit them for more incredible inspiration.

I’m an avid thrifter. I enjoy finding unique decor pieces and giving them a new life. That’s exactly what is happening here. These dainty porcelain pieces are precious all on their own, but by transforming them into magical candles elevates the game to a whole new level.

how to DIY candles using vintage porcelain

Candle making can be a fairIy easy process, and by using unique containers with seasonal touches makes for an incredible decor accent. The candles not only look pretty, but smell wonderful and create a cozy ambience. I have shared the candle making process in a few posts before. For more information and inspiration you can visit these posts which hopefully demystifies candle making.

I use a pre-scented wax in a favorite aroma for most of my candle projects. The wax comes in block form which can be easily melted in the microwave. If you have a preferred wax product you work with feel free to use it. I have included wax options in the shopping section below for your convenience.

Warning: This tutorial includes the handling of hot wax. Please proceed with caution, be careful, and use all the appropriate protection and equipment.

  • Assorted Porcelain Containers
  • Flower Petals | Confetti
  • Candle wax in desired scent
  • Candle wicks with wick stickers
  • Wick holders
how to DIY candles using vintage porcelain
  • Pyrex or microwaveable bowl
  • Oven mitt
  • Scissors

Crafting Pro Tip: Read the instructions through once and then re-read everything again. This way, you are familiar with everything you need and know what to expect.

  • Assemble all supplies and tools
  • Remove any stickers from porcelain pieces and clean thoroughly
  • Adhere wick stickers in the bottom center inside the containers
how to DIY candles using vintage porcelain
  • Attach wicks on top of stickers
  • Set wick holder through wicks to hold them in position
how to DIY candles using vintage porcelain
  • Fill pyrex container with unmelted wax
  • Microwave pyrex with wax in 1 minute increments until fully melted, resulting in a clear liquid
  • Remove pyrex from microwave, using an oven mitt, and allow melted wax to sit until it becomes opaque
  • Once liquid wax becomes opaque, pour into porcelain container slowly and carefully
  • Let candle container sit allowing wax to firm up slightly
how to DIY candles using vintage porcelain
  • As the wax starts to set, sprinkle petals around the candle
  • Allow wax to fully set
  • Once wax is set and firm, trim wick to about 1/4-inch
how to DIY candles using vintage porcelain
  • Voila! you have a beautiful vintage porcelain candle for Mother’s Day

The wax I use comes in blocks, but wax also comes in flake and in pellet form. I believe it all melts in pretty much the same fashion. I prefer soy wax, which is a natural product from soybeans. Also a microwave melt wax is preferable for simplicity purposes. Always read all the specific instructions on the package of your particular wax. Keep in mind the wax doesn’t need to be scented. You can buy unscented wax and add fragrance oils to your preference if you want a particular aroma. I have included the wax I use in the shopping section below with additional scents.

how to DIY candles using vintage porcelain

Although these DIY porcelain candles are fantastic mother’s day gift options they also make great hostess gifts, birthday tokens and more. A great idea if you make these is to make a batch and have some on hand as a last minute gift for an impromptu invitation or to light up if you have unexpected guests, creating a special ambiance in your own home on the fly.

how to DIY candles using vintage porcelain

When you burn your candle for the first time allow it to burn long enough for the melted wax to reach the edges of the container. This will assure that the candle will burn evenly in subsequent uses, optimizing the wax usage. You don’t want the candle to burn vertically tunneling down, making a hole down to the bottom of the container and leaving the wax on the sides unused. Instead the candle should burn horizontally using all the wax fully to the edges.

how to DIY candles using vintage porcelain

Warning: Do not leave a burning open flame candle unattended. Do not burn open flame candles near children and or pets.

Porcelain Containers

Pretty porcelain containers can be found in various places for a few dollars, including thrift stores, garage sales, flea markets, estate sales, etc. I found my pieces at local thrift stores for $2 to $5 dollars each. I looked for different shapes and profiles for interest when displayed together. Look for details which appeal to you or the recipient’s style. A few of the details which attracted me included the dainty floral designs with gold accents. Plus I really liked the floral details inside the containers which peek out over the candle wax.

how to DIY candles using vintage porcelain

The pieces I selected include a creamer, a bowl and a handled soup dish. All the pieces coordinate in the general look but are all different patterns, although two pieces are from the same maker. I was not concerned about the manufacturer for these pieces necessarily, but I love how they all look together. Also keep in mind, once the candles are spent you can fill them with more candle wax to reuse or clean them thoroughly for other uses. Do not be surprised if you see these pretties pop up in other projects and vignettes around here.

how to DIY candles using vintage porcelain

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These candles not only look good while they are burning, but when they are not lit as well. Between the pretty containers and the soft petals the candles truly become a piece of decor. Plus the candles create fantastic ambiance any mother or loved one would appreciate with a heavenly aroma.

how to DIY candles using vintage porcelain

Thank you for being here today and next please visit Libbie @ A Life Unfolding for more Celebrate the Holiday inspiration. Libbie is sharing a fabulous Mother’s Day flower arrangement you do not want to miss. See you next time friends!

how to DIY candles using vintage porcelain

Shopping Note

I included *affiliate links here to some of the items I used or that are very similar for your convenience. If there’s something you are looking for, which you don’t see here, please drop me a note or leave me a comment down below. I’m happy to help.

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Before You Go

I appreciate your visit, comments and shares here on the blog! I would love it if you would also follow along in my other spaces for all the inspiration, ideas and innovation.

Join Me as We Master the Art of Joie De Vivre. XOXO

Make sure to visit my blogging friends for more related posts

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20 Comments

  1. This is such a sweet project. Each teacup candle turned out so pretty! Great instructions and great inspiration for Mother’s Day!

  2. These turned out beautifully! Now I have another category to look for while thrifting! Happy Hopping with you this week.

  3. So pretty!! I love how well the miss matched teacups fit together! And love the colors!??

  4. MaryJo, you really knocked it out of the park with those fabulous petal colors! As a lover of all things vintage, this is a great way to showcase those beautiful tea cups, saucers, creamers, etc.!! Pinned.

  5. These are so pretty! I love the touch of dried rose petals on top. Just lovely for a Mother’s Day gift, too.

  6. What a sweet idea, MaryJo! Each china piece is so darling and I love how you gave the candles a finishing touch with the flower petals! Saving for later so that I can recreate some too!

  7. Maryjo, you now my official go-to candle person. I love the idea of using vintage pieces – I see them all the time at antique malls. Thank you for your excellent instructions.

  8. I love this idea! It is the perfect Mother’s Day gift! They would make a great favor for a Mother’s Day tea. I bought some candle making supplies before Valentine’s Day. You have inspired me to get them out and start creating! Thank you for sharing all your tips!