DIY maple candle – Roots knock-off

This DIY maple candle is a Roots knock-off and making this particular candle has been on my bucket list for some time now… everyone has a DIY bucket list, right? The perfect little Christmas gift as is, or an awesome addition in a gift basket with other favorite goodies.

I’ve purchased many of these delicious smelling candles over the years, they are my absolute favourite.  For those of you that do not know what Roots is let me explain… it’s a Canadian store where you can buy the most amazing quality clothing, leather bags, shoes to name a few things, it is one of my favourite stores!  I am in love with the quality of everything, no one is paying me to say this I just truly believe it, check it out for your self, they ship world wide! I was lucky enough to get a dreamy hand bag for my birthday, it fits all of the stuff AND my camera! Anyways, back to the candle… not just any candle, a maple super delicious candle! Not only do I love Roots, I also LOVE maple, well… maple runs through my veins, at least that is what my Mom used to say. Visiting a sugar shack, or a sugar bush as they are sometimes called is a treat and a half, this is where they tap the maple trees and boil the sap down to make the deliciously scrumptious maple syrup.

Via

Saying I love maple, well that is a HUGE understatement, give me anything maple and we will be instant best friends! For me maple is Christmas… never mind that it is also Fall and Spring and yes even Summer! I think you get my point, I’m madly in love with all things maple. 🙂 And, well I love to give what I love as gifts for Christmas.

Via

There is nothing better than having boiled maple syrup poured on fresh snow and spun on a Popsicle stick… this kid, that’s what my face must look like when I eat this. Hahaha! I’m not kidding!

I burn these Roots candles (above) every day, the little travel candle in the front is from last year and the little one in the back is from this year, the big guy in the middle… he’s  brand new.

Okay, how did I make my knock-off candles? Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty, I’m pretty happy with how they turned out, they are not exactly the same, but I like them and yep, they are maple-y! YUM!

Materials you will need:

Containers to hold your candles:

I used 4 tins with covers (Michael’s) and one tin of maple syrup, it was a full can of syrup I bought at the grocery store, I drained it into and existing jug of maple syrup and cleaned the can with warm soapy water.

Soy wax flakes (Michael’s)

Maple flavoured extract (100ml)

Wooden wick (for large candle)

Braided wicks (for travel sized candles)

Glue gun (little dab of glue to hold wicks in place)

Double boiler – or heat safe Pyrex measuring cup (Large) and lg sauce pan

Candy/cooking thermomotor

Kabob skewers (for holding the wicks straight)

Steps:

•  Lay down a large piece of craft paper on the counter to protect it from wax and save some steps on the clean up later on.
• Lay out all of the tins and glue the wicks to the bottom of each one. Then used the kabob skewers to keep them straight. (see image below)
• Place a sauce pan on the stove with water and place a Pyrex measuring cup inside the pot. Make sure you don’t fill it too much, when the boiling starts you don’t want splashing.
• Pour wax flakes into the Pyrex dish, boil the water stirring the wax occasionally until your wax is 185° – at 185° remove from heat and add your “flavouring”, stir until your temp is @ 125°.
• When your wax is 125° it is ready to pour into your containers.
• Slowly fill containers until desired levels are reached.
• Once the candles are cooled (over night) add decorative paper and twine for some festive gift giving. I am obsessed with buffalo check print this year!

Note* Some important things to remember.

• Do not heat wax over 250° only heat wax to 185° that is the best temp for adding the flavour.
• The flash point of wax is 300°, again do not exceed 250°.
• 1 cup of wax flakes = 1/2 cup of pourable wax. For this recipe I used 1500ml  (6 cups) of pourable wax – (12 cups of wax flakes once melted = 6 cups of pourable)

Get containers ready first.

Remove from heat at 185° and add flavour, stir until temp is 125° then pour slowly into your awaiting containers. Let your candles cool over night, trim wicks approx. 1/4″. Adding extract gives you a nice maple flavour but if I could have found maple oil I would have preferred that, all of the candle experts say oil is better, I just was not able to find any in my city, when I do this again I will order the oil on line. Adding oil instead of extract I think would cut down on stirring the flavour in until your temp reaches 125°. When the wax cools it will lighten, because I used extract the settling of the flavour looks a little spotty, but I like how it looks like maple and cream. 😉

As I said above, I am pretty happy with how they turned out it’s a cute little gift to give to someone who enjoys candles and of course maple! I sure hope you like this little DIY Roots knock-off.

Now it’s time for some more DIY Christmas gift ideas from my Canadian
blogging friends. Get ready for some wonderful handmade gift inspiration
for your holidays!

From the top, they are:

DIY Maple Candle (A Roots Knockoff) from Vin’yet Etc.

Homemade Candied Citrus Peel from Personally Andrea

Hand Lettered Ornaments from Lemon Thistle

Christmas Breakfast Gift Basket from Craftberry Bush

Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar from Sustain My Craft Habit

Cashew Coconut Brittle from Life Is A Party

DIY Serving Tray for
the Coffee Lover from DIY Passion

DIY Cookie Cutters
from PMQ For Two

Christmas Cupcake in a Jar from The DIY Mommy

DIY Growler Carrier With Dry Erase Label from Hello
Creative Family

DIY Wood Slice Ornaments from The Sweetest Digs

Galvanized Letter Tree from New House New Home

DIY Animal Bookends from Lifeovereasy

Industrial Watch Holder from Love Create Celebrate

DIY Gifts for the New Mom from Fresh Crush

Homemade Barbecue
Spice Meat Rub Gift from Time With Thea

Thanks for stopping in!