You can often find lots of inexpensive candles at your local Goodwill Store & Donation Center.  Some are pristine and ready to use while others have a little wear. But, even if you don’t want to use the candles as is, they are easy to upcycle into more fun, luminescent shapes. So, take a few home with you next time you go, and I’ll show you some  great ways to use them in your home, on your patio, or in your garden.

To recycle old candles you just need to slowly melt down the old wax, remove the wicks, and pour the hot wax into a new mold with new wicks (which you can buy at a craft store).  You can add coloring, scents or anything else you might want to the melted wax.  And, you can use anything as a mold.  Consider pouring the wax into empty fruit rinds, eggshells, bottle tops, teacups, or silicone molds, use your imagination.  For a great, in-depth candle making tutorial try this link (They use all new materials, but you can achieve the same results by cutting up old candles with a serrated knife and melting down that wax, instead of the new stuff ... http://somethingturquoise.com/2011/11/04/diy-poured-mason-jar-candle/  or try this site which shows you the recycling part, but goes into less depth: http://maiedae.blogspot.com/2011/12/holiday-diy-party-recycled-candle-diy.html.)

http://tillyscottage.com/2011/11/18/thankful-tree-and-teacup-candles/

Instead of making candles you can also make luminaries by dipping water filled balloons into melted wax (see below). If you dip a balloon several times into the wax and wait for it to cool you will have a nice rounded wax bowl.  You can reuse this many times by inserting new tea lights each time one is extinguished.

It might not be a bad idea to rethink the notion that candles need to be “perfect.”  Try joining many old candles together with dripping wax to create a smoky, eccentric atmosphere.  You can even build castles out of dripping wax. 

If you’re lucky enough to find candles in great condition at Goodwill, consider pairing them with some of the cool glassware you’ll also find in the stores, for a little opulence. (Sparkling crystal reflecting little flames always adds a nice touch).

With springtime just around the corner, consider making outdoor lanterns for your lawn or patio.  Simply puncture a tin can with an awl or nail and hammer and make two holes for wire (to use as a hanger).  Then simply place a tea light, or other small candle in the bottom and you are all set.  Consider adding citronella essential oil to your melted wax to make easy, eco-friendly bug repelling candles to use with these for your next outdoor party.

Making candles is a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon, or an evening with a friend and with such inexpensive candles available at Goodwill, why not try a few different ideas and see which ones you like best.