In today’s post: Turn plain pillar candles into beautiful fall leaf candles with this easy craft that doesn’t require any fancy supplies! All you need are candles, leaves, wax paper and a hair dryer.
Fall Leaf Candle Tutorial
I have been wanting to try a wax paper transfer onto a candle for a couple of months now, and when I saw some gorgeous faux fall leaves at the craft store I decided this week was the perfect time to do it.
Wax paper candle transfers are so cool! For this project, you’ll place a leaf over a wax pillar candle then cover it with wax paper. Next you use a hair dryer to heat up the candle. The wax on the candle and the wax on the paper melt slightly, adhering the leaf onto the candle.
But it doesn’t just look like the leaf is glued onto the candle! Because you end up with wax on top of the leaf, it looks like it’s actually part of the candle. I was actually surprised with how lovely the candles ended up.
Real or Faux Leaves?
I really wanted the leaves on my candle to look realistic, but most leaves haven’t started changing color in my area yet, so I decided to use faux leaves. I chose a branch of faux leaves that had lots of small lines and bruised looking places because I thought they looked more real. When using faux leaves, you will need to pull just the leaf off of the stem so it’s just one flat layer before adding it to your candle.
As far as I can tell, you could do this project with real leaves; however, you would need to press them under a stack of heavy books for a couple of days to make them flat and pliable first.
Can I Burn These Candles?
I do not recommend burning these candles; they are meant to be displayed unlit, which means you’ll be able to use them in your decorating year after year. Or, if you really want the look of a lit candle, try this craft with a real wax battery operated pillar candle and let us know in the comments how it works.
Fall Leaf Candle Supplies
I love that this fun fall craft doesn’t require very many supplies. You will need:
- White Pillar Candles
- Branch of Faux Fall Leaves (or real leaves that have been pressed)
- Wax Paper (not parchment paper)
- Hair Dryer
How to Make Leaf Candles
Watch this video to see how to make the candles. Written instructions follow the video.
Fall Leaf Candles
Supplies
- White Pillar Candles
- Faux Fall Leaves
- Wax Paper
- Hair Dryer
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Instructions
- Pull the faux leaves away from the branch and stems so that you just have the fabric of the leaf.
- Place one leaf on the candle where you would like to adhere it.
- Using a large piece of wax paper, cover the leaf and pull the wax paper tight behind the candle. Make sure the wax paper is smooth against the surface of the candle.
- Use a hair dryer to direct heat at the leaf. After 10-20 seconds you should start seeing portions of the leaf look damp as the wax from the paper melts onto it. Continue heating the leaf, directing the blow dryer at different spots on the leaf, until the entire leaf appears damp.
- Rub over the leaf to make sure it is adhered, then gently pull away the wax paper. There may be excess dried wax on the leaf; if so just use your fingers to gently rub it away.Repeat the process to add additional leaves to the candle. Do not overlap leaves.
Tips
Rebekah Akers says
So it worked as you instructed, but wondering if there’s anything that can be used to seal the leaves that isn’t flammable? I’m thinking not mod podge – any other ideas?
Terri says
Very pretty but we couldn’t get it to work without the candle melting and getting streaky….tried low and high temp on the hair dryer, not much difference
Jackie Kier says
What happens to the leaves when you burn the candle down to them? Is it safe to burn?
Deb Sanders says
I love all of your ideas!! Thank you.