How to Make Beautiful Eggshell Candles :A Step-by-Step Guide
There’s something magical about the soft glow of candlelight that instantly transforms any space. As someone who loves creating unique home decor, I’m always on the lookout for candle-making ideas that are both beautiful and unexpected. That’s why I fell in love with eggshell candles! These delicate little lights are not only stunning conversation starters, but they’re also an amazing way to repurpose something we’d normally toss in the trash.
The first time I made eggshell candles for an Easter gathering, my guests couldn’t believe they were actually made from real eggshells. The soft, diffused light they cast created the most enchanting atmosphere for our evening dinner. Since then, they’ve become one of my favorite DIY projects – perfect for Easter, spring celebrations, or anytime you want to add a touch of whimsy to your home.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to create your own eggshell candles. Trust me, they’re easier than they look!
Why You’ll Love Making Eggshell Candles
Before we dive into the how-to, let me share why these little candles have become such a staple in my seasonal decorating routine:
- They’re incredibly budget-friendly, using materials you likely already have in your kitchen
- The natural eggshell creates a beautiful diffused light that can’t be replicated with store-bought candles
- They’re completely customizable with different waxes, colors, and scents
- They make thoughtful homemade gifts that look much more complicated than they actually are
- Creating them is a wonderful way to reduce waste by repurposing eggshells
I’ve made dozens of these candles over the years, and I still get excited every time I crack an egg knowing it will soon be transformed into something beautiful. There’s something so satisfying about taking what would be trash and turning it into treasure.
What You’ll Need
Let’s gather our supplies! Here’s everything you’ll need to create your own eggshell candles:
For the Eggshells:
- Eggs (as many as you want to make into candles)
- Egg carton (to hold the shells upright)
- Small bowl
- Sharp needle or thumbtack
For the Candles:
- Candle wax (soy or beeswax work best)
- Candle wicks with metal bases (small ones designed for tea lights)
- Double boiler or heat-safe bowl and pot
- Fragrance oils (optional)
- Candle dye (optional)
- Wooden skewer or chopstick
- Kitchen thermometer
When I first started making these, I used leftover wax from other candle projects. Now I prefer to use soy wax because it burns clean and takes fragrance oils beautifully. But you can really use whatever you have on hand!
Preparing Your Eggshells
This is perhaps the most delicate part of the process, but don’t worry – with a little patience, you’ll get the hang of it quickly.
- Start with the right eggs: I find that regular chicken eggs work perfectly, but you can experiment with different sizes. Just remember that larger eggs will hold more wax and burn longer.
- Create an opening: Take your egg and gently tap the pointed end with a spoon to create a small crack. Use your fingers to carefully pick away small pieces of shell until you have an opening about the size of a quarter. I like to keep mine fairly small – about 1/3 of the egg – which leaves plenty of shell for the candle.
- Empty the egg: Pour the contents into a bowl (save them for breakfast!). Rinse the inside of the shell carefully with cool water.
- Clean thoroughly: This step is crucial! Fill the shell with warm water and a tiny drop of dish soap. Swish it around gently, then rinse thoroughly until all soap is gone. Any residue left inside can affect how your candle burns.
- Create a drainage hole: Using a needle or thumbtack, poke a tiny hole in the bottom of the egg. This allows any remaining moisture to drain out.
- Dry completely: Place your eggshells hole-side down in an egg carton and let them dry completely – ideally overnight. Patience really pays off here; any moisture left in the shell can prevent your wax from setting properly.
The first few shells might break as you get used to the process, and that’s totally normal! I still break one or two every time I make these. Just consider it part of the learning curve.
Making Your Eggshell Candles
Now comes the fun part – turning those empty shells into glowing works of art!
- Prepare your wax: Set up your double boiler (or place a heat-safe bowl over a pot with an inch of simmering water). Add your wax and heat gently until completely melted. If you’re using a kitchen thermometer, aim for around 160-170°F (71-77°C).
- Add fragrance and color (optional): Once your wax is melted, remove from heat and let cool slightly for 2-3 minutes. Then add any fragrance oils or candle dye you’d like to use. For spring candles, I love light floral scents like lavender or lily of the valley. Stir gently to incorporate.
- Prepare your wicks: While your wax cools slightly, get your wicks ready. If they don’t already have metal bases attached, you’ll need to attach them now following the instructions that came with your wicks.
- Position your eggshells: Arrange your clean, dry eggshells in an egg carton, open-side up. The carton will keep them stable during the pouring and cooling process.
- Place the wicks: Drop a wick into each eggshell, with the metal base sitting at the bottom of the shell. Use a wooden skewer or chopstick to center it.
- Pour the wax: When your wax has cooled to about 140°F (60°C), carefully pour it into each eggshell, filling to about 1/4 inch (6mm) from the top of the opening. Go slowly to avoid overflowing or disturbing the wick.
- Secure the wicks: Use your wooden skewer to center the wicks again if they’ve moved during pouring. You can lay the skewer across the top of the eggshell and wrap the wick around it to keep it centered while the wax cools.
- Let cool completely: Allow your candles to cool undisturbed for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight. The wax will contract slightly as it cools.
- Trim the wicks: Once completely cooled, trim the wicks to about 1/4 inch (6mm) above the wax surface.
The first time I made these, I was so impatient to see the finished result that I moved them too soon and ended up with cracks in the wax. Learn from my mistake and give them plenty of time to set properly!
Creative Display Ideas
One of my favorite things about eggshell candles is how versatile they are when it comes to display. Here are some of my favorite ways to showcase these little beauties:
- Natural nest: Arrange them in a shallow bowl filled with Spanish moss or excelsior for a rustic spring centerpiece.
- Egg cups: Place individual candles in egg cups for an elegant table setting.
- Floating display: For a truly magical effect, gently crack the bottom portion of the shell before lighting, place in a shallow bowl of water, and watch as the light shimmers through both the eggshell and the water.
- Terrarium feature: Add them to a glass terrarium with small spring elements like moss, tiny artificial flowers, or miniature birds.
- Easter tree: Carefully thread thin wire through the top of unlit candles and hang them on an Easter tree or spring branches.
When I host Easter dinner, I like to place one at each place setting as both a decoration and a parting gift for my guests. It adds such a personal touch to the table!
Tips for Perfect Eggshell Candles Every Time
After years of making these special candles, I’ve picked up a few tricks that help ensure success:
- Keep the environment draft-free when pouring and cooling your candles to prevent uneven setting.
- Consider adding dried herbs or flower petals to the outside of the eggshell before pouring for a botanical touch. Press them gently against the shell with a bit of wax to secure.
- If you want colored eggshells, dye them before cleaning the inside and drying. I use natural dyes like turmeric (yellow), beet juice (pink), or blueberry juice (blue) for a subtle effect.
- For longer-lasting candles, add a small amount of stearic acid to your wax (follow package instructions for the correct ratio).
- Store unused candles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent the wax from melting or discoloring.
My first batch of eggshell candles was far from perfect. Some had off-center wicks, others had air bubbles in the wax. But that’s the beauty of handmade items – each one is unique, and with practice, you’ll develop your own special technique.
Safety Considerations
As with any candle project, safety should always be your top priority:
- Never leave burning candles unattended.
- Place eggshell candles on a heat-resistant surface, as the shell can become quite warm.
- Keep away from drafts, pets, and curious little hands.
- Consider using battery-operated tea lights inside the eggshells if you’re concerned about fire safety.
- Burn candles until the wax pool reaches the edge of the shell, but don’t let the flame get too close to the shell itself.
I’ve found that eggshell candles typically burn for about 1-2 hours, depending on the size of your egg and the type of wax used. Because they’re small, they’re perfect for dinner parties or short evening gatherings.
Beyond Easter: Year-Round Eggshell Candles
While these delicate candles are perfect for Easter and spring celebrations, don’t limit yourself to just one season! With a few tweaks, you can adapt this project for any time of year:
- Summer vibes: Use citrus or tropical scents and display in a sand-filled dish with seashells.
- Fall feelings: Add warm spice fragrances like cinnamon or clove and nestle among mini pumpkins or colorful leaves.
- Winter wonder: Use deep blue or purple dye with pine or cranberry scents for a holiday table.
I keep a small collection of empty, cleaned eggshells in a covered container so I can make small batches whenever inspiration strikes. They’re such a simple way to add a handmade touch to any gathering.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so satisfying about transforming humble eggshells into these ethereal little lights. When the candle is lit and light glows through the semi-translucent shell, it creates an almost magical ambiance that store-bought candles just can’t match.
I hope this guide inspires you to try making eggshell candles yourself. They’re the perfect example of how beautiful upcycling can be – taking something as ordinary as an eggshell and turning it into something extraordinary. The process itself is meditative and calming, and the results are truly special.
The best part? Each time I make breakfast and crack eggs for my family, I’m reminded that even the most ordinary objects hold potential for beauty. It’s a small but powerful reminder to look for possibilities in unexpected places.
Have you tried making eggshell candles before? I’d love to hear about your experiences or see photos of your creations! Leave a comment below, and don’t forget to share this tutorial with friends who might enjoy this creative project.
Happy crafting!
If you love home decor and interior design as much as I do, check out these other articles I think you might like.
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