Hey everybody! I’m super jazzed to share the first project from my new Sweetheart Season Live Series. There’s just something so cozy about a rustic wood bowl paired with the crackle of a wood wick. I’m excited to make these romantic & rustic candles with you. You can watch the full tutorial here and pour along with me:
What You’ll Need (Affiliate Links)
You can find candle supplies at places like Michaels or Amazon & I definitely do pick up things from there but I get most of my favourite supplies from Village Craft and Candle because their quality is just top-notch. I’m actually an affiliate for them, which means if you use my links below, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. It’s just a sweet way to help keep the IHC Craft Room crafting. And don’t forget that you can get 5% off your first purchase if you use IHC5 at checkout. I get all of the wood dough bowls I have used so far at Rama Candles. Here’s a list of what I used for this project:
- 9oz Heart-Shaped Wood Dough Bowl
- Freedom Soy Wax (approx. 250g)
- Freedom Pillar Soy Wax (approx. 50g for those cute toppers)
- Strawberry Fragrance Oil (It smells delicious – strawberry with peach, banana, and sugar notes!)
- Crackling Wood Booster Wicks & Clips
- Red Liquid Candle Dye
- Wick Stickums (or just use a glue gun!)
- Silicone Molds (I found my strawberry one at Michaels for two bucks!)
- Tools: Double boiler (or pot with a pouring pitcher), kitchen scale, temperature gun, heat gun, a mixing utensil (like a silicone stick or wood stick) & safety gear (gloves/potholders).
Step 1: Prep Your Bowl for Safety
I love the look of these wood bowls, but we’ve got to be smart so they stay beautiful and safe. For this project I made sure to position my wicks close to the center, at least an inch away from the wood. This keeps the heat away from the edges plus I will make sure not to burn this candle down too much. We need to leave at least a half inch of wax across the bottom, which is a must for any wood vessel. IHC Quick Tip: Leave those wicks long for now! If you trim them too early, you might “drown” them once the toppers go on & melt.
Step 2: The Candle Maker Math (Don’t Skip This!)
Every wood bowl is carved differently, so I always do a water test first. It’s super important to remember that water and wax aren’t the same weight. Wax is “fluffier” and about 20% lighter than water, so I take my water weight and multiply it by 0.8. If you don’t do this math, you’ll end up with way more melted wax & fragrance oil than you need.
Step 3: Melt, Pour, and Stir!
You can use a double boiler like I did in the live or you can use your microwave to melt the Freedom Soy to at least 185∘F so it’s ready to accept the fragrance oil. Once the wax is melted & the yummy strawberry fragrance oil has been poured in, you’ve got to stir for a full 3 minutes. They need to bond like besties so a 3 minute stir at this temperature is a great way to make that happen.
Step 4: Pour the Candle & Make the Red Toppers
Pour your scented melted wax into the heart-shaped wood dough bowl vessel until you’re about a quarter-inch from the top. While that sets, pop your pillar wax in the microwave (Careful! The handle gets hot so use a heat-resistant glove it’s a lifesaver!). I added two drops of red dye, which was plenty for that vibrant look. Pour them into your molds and give them at least 30-45 minutes to get firm before demolding
Step 5: The Finishing Touches
When the candle has a beautiful creamy finish, use a heat gun to make the top glisten – just enough to act like glue for your hearts. I chose to put three hearts right down the center – where are you going to place yours? Trim your wicks, light it up, and enjoy that cozy crackling fireplace sound!
Check out the replay of when I made this candle live:
I Love Getting Crafty!
I had such a blast kicking off this new live series with you. This project is totally beginner-friendly and looks amazing on your coffee table. I hope this walkthrough makes you feel confident enough to try your own! Remember, candle making doesn’t have to be perfect to be special; it’s all about the process and that “Woo Hoo” moment when you see your creation glowing for the first time. If you run into any hiccups with your “maker math” or wicking, just take a deep breath and remember to keep a spare silicone mold at the ready for any overpour wax. No big deal! I’d love to see your finished heart-shaped wood bowl candles, so make sure to share them with the community! Keep crafting your calm, and I’ll see you in the next DIY!
#craftyourcalm #IHCCraftRoom
🕯️ Keep pouring with IHC Craft Room!
Watch more from the Sweetheart Season Live Series → Here
Replay every Pour-Along Live → Right here
Explore Step-by-Step Candle Tutorials → This is the spot to click
💗 Love candle making? Shop supplies at Village Craft & Candle and save 5% with code IHC5 at checkout. I am a partner and employee of Village Craft and Candle. When you use my affiliate links or code, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This support helps me keep these DIY tutorials free for our community. Some materials shown are provided by the brand for testing. Thank you for your crafty support!
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