In this article I will show you how to reuse the tin can that your cat (or your dog or even you!) just devoured,by making a super cute upcycled candle!
The idea for this craft stems from one of the challenges I had to complete during my online Ding Dong journey. The brief was clear: “Find a way to reuse your cats’ food cans!”
And so I did. I found a way.
In case you’ve been around for a while, you may already have heard about my four fur kids. Felice, Ginger, Mitsi and Birbilo are my four very cute and well-fed kittens! My four cuddly kids from god! Every time they devour a can, I think, “My babies are going through a growth spurt!”. After my maternal instinct appeases, I ask myself :“How can I reuse these empty tin cans, instead of recycling them?”. I always have in mind that only 17% of Greece’s waste is recycled, so I make sure torefuse, reduce and then reuse. Recycling is always my last option.
Fortunately, cans and all metal tins can be reused easily in a variety of ways. This time, I made these candles. Take notes and make your own!
The process is rather simple and the result is astonishingly rewarding. Not only do you reuse a can and perform today’s good deed for the planet, but you now have awarm candlelit space from something you made. These candles, like most A Shiny Day ideas, are a great gift idea!
For the candle you will need :
- Soy wax * in drops (I gotthis kit from this etsy shop in England)
- A candlewick tab
- Construction sticks
- 1 small saucepan
- 1 glass bowl that you no longer need
- Lavender essential oil
For the cans you will need :
- 3 Shallow cat food cans
- Eco acrylic paint
- A brush
Instructions :
- Prepare the cans: Wash them well and let them dry.
- Paint the cans with the colors of your choice. I first applied 2 coats of white paint as a base. After that, I painted geometric shapes in earth tones.
- Allow the paint to dry well and prepare the candle. Melt the candle in a bain marie pot.
- In a small saucepan, heat some water. Don’t bring to boil, because we don’t want water droplets splashing at the candle.
- In a glass bowl, put the drops of soy wax and mix well with a stick until they melt.
- While the candle is melting, prepare the cans.
- Place the candlewick in the center of the can. If you want, you can fix the base of the wick with adhesive tape or glue.
- You can even tie / fasten the wick with a stick, as in the picture:
- When the candle melts, take the glass bowl out of the bain marie pot. Add a few drops of the essential oil of your choice.
- Carefully pour the melted wax into the cans, leaving a margin of 6-8 mm from the rim of the can
- Leave the candles on a table to cool down. The candles are ready when they turn white instead of being transparent.
- Cut the wick, leaving it protruding just 1.5 cm from the surface of the candle.
Wasn’t that easy? This adorable little craft will bring light to every room of your house, creating a calming atmosphere you can enjoy with your four legged (or two legged) friends!
Why soy wax?
Because paraffin is super-toxic and beeswax is, well, bee’s wax. So soy wax is the most non-toxic + vegan choice!
So, what do you think? Will you try it?
See you soon,
