DIY Recycled Glass Jar Candles: Sustainable Scents That Sell
A farmers market table glows with recycled glass jar candles in soft summer hues creamy whites, pale yellows, and beachy blues. Each candle flickers inside a baby food jar, jelly jar, or repurposed mason jar, wrapped in twine and labeled with handwritten tags that read “Hand-Poured with Love.” They smell like a coastal breeze fresh, clean, and totally giftable.
If you’re looking for an easy, eco-friendly craft that feels upscale and sells well, these candles are a summer must. They’re affordable to make, simple to batch, and hit the sweet spot between handmade and high-end. Perfect for eco-conscious shoppers, candle lovers, and anyone seeking a thoughtful, earth-friendly gift.
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How to Make Recycled Glass Jar Candles
Making these charming candles is easier than you might think and once you get the hang of it, you’ll want to make them in batches! Whether you’re repurposing baby food jars, jelly jars, or those mason jars collecting dust in the pantry, this step-by-step method will have your market table glowing (literally) in no time.
Step by Step Candle Making
Clean your jars. Wash and dry baby food jars, jelly jars, or mason jars thoroughly. Remove labels and sticky residue for a clean, clear look. Pro tip: I like to use really hot soapy water or the dishwasher!
Melt the wax. Use a double boiler to gently melt soy wax flakes (cleaner burn and great scent throw).
Scent it. Add 20–30 drops of fragrance oil per 1 cup of melted wax. Try:
- Coconut Lime
- Lemon Lavender
- Sea Salt & Driftwood
- Vanilla Fig
Set the wick. Use a glue dot or wick sticker to center your wick in the jar. Wrap the top around a chopstick or skewer to hold it straight.
Pour and cool. Carefully pour the scented wax into your jars. Let cool completely (several hours), then trim the wick to about ¼ inch.
Packaging
Use kraft paper labels or printable stickers for the front of the jar and the lid. Label should include scent name, ingredients, and approximate burn time. Tie raffia, jute twine, or baker’s twine around the jar’s neck. Add a small swing tag that says something like:
“Hand-Poured in Recycled Glass – Eco-Friendly & Clean Burning”
Optional: Use recycled brown kraft boxes or organza gift bags for bundled sales. Cork stoppers are also available in various size jar openings. I use cork stoppers for a lux vibe. They also help preserve the scent and make gift wrapping easier.
Display Tips
Set the mood and tell the story.
- Group candles by scent family (citrus, floral, coastal, cozy).
- Use wooden trays, upturned crates, or mini shelves to add height.
- Add a few unlit tester jars with their lids off so customers can smell them.
- Scatter beach pebbles, shells, or greenery around the display for a summer vibe.
- Include a small chalkboard sign that reads: “Clean Burning Summer Scents Upcycled Glass”
Price to Sell
- 4 oz jars: $6–$8
- 8 oz jars: $10–$12
- Bundle of 3 minis (2 oz each): $14–$16
- Gift boxed set (2 candles + matchbox): $18–$22
Pro Tip: Buy wax and wicks in bulk to lower your cost to around $1.50–$2.00 per candle, depending on jar size and scent.
Who Buys These Candles?
You’ll be surprised how many different types of shoppers are drawn to these little beauties:
- Eco-conscious buyers love the sustainable upcycled glass.
- Gift shoppers are always on the lookout for something thoughtful, pretty, and under $15.
- Candle lovers (and let’s be honest there are a lot of us) are happy to support handmade over store-bought.
- Teens and tweens will love mini jars in fun scents like watermelon mint or cotton candy.
- Moms with strollers often buy on impulse especially if the table smells divine and the jars look “ready to gift.”
Hot tip: Keep a few candles bundled and wrapped in simple gift bags. Many people don’t realize they need a last-minute gift until they spot it in front of them.
Summer Candle Scent Combos Your Market Table Needs
Here’s where you can get creative and keep people lingering at your booth just to smell everything:
- Coconut Lime Breeze – tropical and zesty
- Vanilla Bean + Sea Salt – cozy meets coastal
- Lemon Verbena + Mint – fresh and invigorating
- Peach Nectar + White Tea – juicy with a hint of calm
- Eucalyptus + Lavender – perfect for the relaxation crowd
- Strawberry Champagne – sweet and bubbly, great for bridal shoppers
- Sage + Citrus – earthy and bright (hello, unisex favorite!)
Pro tip: Display a sign that says “Smell Me!” and have matching tester jars open for each scent. People are drawn to scent it’s a huge seller.
Add-On Ideas to Boost Your Sales
If you’re already making these candles, a few small extras can turn your booth into a candle-and-gift haven:
- Mini matchbox sets tied to jars ($2–$3 upsell)
- Candle care kits (wick trimmer + snuffer in a pouch)
- DIY candle kits with wax flakes, wicks, a jar, and instructions
- Coordinating wax melts for warmers
- Gift tags or cards to make gifting super easy
More Craft Inspiration
Need more inspiration and ideas try these!
Final Thoughts
Recycled glass jar candles are more than just pretty they’re practical, meaningful, and easy to fall in love with. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for a new summer item to spice up your market table, these are a no-brainer. They check all the boxes: eco-friendly, handmade, easy to gift, and priced just right for a sunny day scroll through the stalls.
Don’t forget style sells just as much as scent. Keep your table fresh, cohesive, and interactive, and you’ll have customers sniffing, smiling, and buying in no time.
