Take a look at these cute Patriotic Sugar Candles. What’s great about this 4th of July Craft is you most likely have everything you need right there at home! Although craft sand can be used, I wanted to give an alternative that saves you money and a trip to the craft store. Sugar, food dye and glass container is all you’ll need!
USE WHAT YOU HAVE ON-HAND
No need to go out and buy any special glass containers. Ask my partner who found me rummaging through our recycle bin this morning! Be on the lookout for discarded jars of salsa, pickles, pasta sauces, etc. You may want to simply use a tall drinking glass or a nice glass bowl or vase taking up space in your cupboards. The possibilities are endless.
THE BREAKDOWN
Although more detailed instructions are to come, I wanted to first share with you the overview by pictures. After, make sure to thoroughly read the instructions at the bottom of the page to save yourself from some of my missteps!
SPECIAL HACK
Make your supplies go further. If you are working with a big vase or filling multiple containers, here’s a hack!
For smaller containers, you can use a toilette paper or paper towel roll insert placed in the center to occupy space. Make sure to tape over the top, and cut the roll below the ridge of your container (enough room that a candle can be pressed down and align with the top of your holder).
For larger vases or centerpieces, place another smaller vase upside down in the center. This will significantly cut down the amount of sugars/sands needed for your projects!
SHORT ON TIME?
For convenience, this craft can also be done with pre-made color sand found online or at your local craft store. This means you can skip right over coloring your sugar and get straight to filling your jars. Completely up to you! Both options end with the same beautiful creation. Take a look.
SUPPLIES
- Glass Cups, Jars or Vases
- Sugar
- Food Coloring
- Tea lights
- Twine/String/Ribbon etc (optional)
- Funnel (optional)
Instructions
- Remove Labels: Start by washing off the labels of your chosen glass jars. There are many ways to do this, so do what has worked best for you in the past! I started by soaking in water/dish soap, then used Goo-Gone for any remaining residue.
- Clean and Dry: Make sure after removing residue, your glass jars are cleaned and dried completely before continuing. If there is moisture remaining in the jars, the sugar will stick and clump together. (skip to step 5 if using craft sand)
- Color your sugar: Place sugar in a resealable plastic bag and add food coloring drops. For paler colors, begin with fewer drops. For deeper colors, continue adding drops in increments until desired color is reached. Seal bag and kneed gently until color is equally distributed.
- Dry & Sift colored sugar: Spread sugar in a thin layer on a large baking pan lined with foil to dry, breaking up any large clumps. Allow to dry thoroughly, approximately 15-20min. Once dry, sift sugar to return it to its original texture if needed.
- Fill Jars: one layer at a time, add your colored sugar to jars. Experiment with layer depth, pattern, etc!
- Decorate: this step is completely optional, as your creation is already presentation worthy! However, if you'd like to add a little something extra, try adding ribbon, craft tape, twine, etc. to your jar.
- Top with Candle: simply light a tea light candle and place on the top of your new creation!
NOTES & TIPS
* It's very important to make sure your colored sugar is completely dry. If it's still wet, it will clump together and stick to the side of the jars while filling.
* Gloves are recommended while handling the dye
1 comment
I loved this idea! I totally took the short cut and bought the sand to save time and they turned out great. Thank you!