Always pick containers that are either the same diameter at the top and at the bottom, or are wide-mouthed at the top. Do not use anything with a narrow neck.

Glass and metal are the best materials for containers. Ceramic will also work, but it is opaque and will not give a glow as the candle burns down. Never use wood, milk cartons, or any other flammable materials for containers. Glass is a good choice, but make sure it is heavy enough not to crack under the burning candle's heat. All sorts of glass containers will work fine.

For example, glasses made of heavy recycled glass (usually pale green: they are made from old Coke bottles) are perfect. Goblets or glasses of heavy glass, often hobnailed (that is, they have bumps on the surface), are very useful and can be refilled indefinitely.

Another good choice is the square-shaped heavy glass containers that contain a jelled room deodorizer that evaporates as it is exposed to air. When empty and washed, these types of jars make perfect container candles.

The list is virtually endless. Once you let your imagination run wild, you'll see containers for candles almost everywhere you look! If you select glass for your container candle, you have the choice of clear or colored glass.

Colored glass will mask any color in the candle wax, so it's best to use untinted wax in a colored glass container and let its color glow with a jewel-like brilliance. On the other hand, if you want colored candles for a particular scheme of décor, or just because you like certain colors of candles or want to use them ritually for candle magic ceremonies, use clear glass containers instead.

Preserving Jars As Containers

The possibilities for containers for container candles are practically limitless. Once you begin making container candles, your imagination will be ignited (as was mine). Here are some additional ideas I've developed that you can use. And you will undoubtedly discover many that I haven't thought of!

Jars for preserving (of the Mason type) are perfect for container candles. They come in a variety of sizes — the pint and half-pint sizes are recommended (the quart is too deep) — and shapes — some are cylindrical, higher than the diameter; others are short and squat with a larger diameter than depth (this shape is my personal favorite).

The glass is heavy and made to withstand heat, as the preserving process involves a boiling water bath, so there's no need to worry about the candle flame cracking the glass. Also, these jars are always wide-mouthed, making them easy to fill when pouring, and their wide mouths make it a snap to balance a dowel or chopstick for a wickholder on the edges.

Most of these jars are beautifully embossed with fruit and/or flower patterns, which makes them ideal for gift-giving as well as decoration around the house. And, since they come with lids, you have a complete gift package — just tie a ribbon around the wide part of the lid's rim and make a nice bow. No muss, no fuss!

Container candles in preserving jars are very popular and several upscale mail-order catalogs offer them — at high prices. You can make your own for very little cost — the jars are often offered for sale at big discounts during summer when most home-preserving is done.

You can even fool the recipients into thinking they are getting homemade jam or jelly by coloring your wax and scenting it to match different fruits, such as strawberries, cherries, blueberries, and so on. You can also use them to make chip candles that will resemble pieces of fruit suspended in a jelly. Of course, the recipient of your gift will realize the “preserves” are a candle in disguise as soon as the jar is opened. I guarantee you they will be delighted at your subtle subterfuge.

A great characteristic of preserving jars is that they are hard to break. They can be used over and over again, and it's easy to refill them innumerable times, so if your friends aren't candlemakers, tell them to return your jars when the candles are used up. Just beware — they might ask for a refill!

Old preserving jars have hinged lids and are made of heavy glass. These make really nice container candles. You can often find them at flea markets — or look in your grandmother's basement! A few are still made today for use as canisters, often out of recycled green glass. I have one I bought ten years ago at a boutique in Vermont that is faceted like a cut jewel and makes a sumptuous container candle that glows with a wonderful mystery when it burns down a bit and the flame reflects off the many facets.

Another great container from my collection is an old piece of “depression glass,” which was originally meant to be a canister. It's many-sided — like the facets of a crystal — and “gives a lovely light.”

Novel Ideas

Here are some more unique and interesting ideas:

• Metal ice cube trays — though new ones may be hard to find in this era when plastic rules — make splendid container candles. Using an ice cube tray has a double advantage. It's easy to pour and you get the effect of a multi-wick candle. When lighted, the tray of little cubes gives a brilliant light.

• You can also make neat miniature container candles in a mini-muffin tin. Line the cups with foil liners before pouring in the wax. When the wax has hardened, lift out each mini-candle. For a dinner party, you can set one of these little miniature candles at each person's place, perhaps placed on a saucer.

• Slice oranges in half and juice them. Then, carefully pull out the membrane and pulp until you are down to the shell of the orange peel. Fill with wax. When the wax is cool but not solid, insert a cored wick. These ingenious candles are wonderful for outdoor parties.

• I once found an old tin mold — what it's original purpose was I don't know, for it wasn't a cooking pan. However, this curiously shaped, age-tinged object, interesting in itself, made one of the best container candles you can imagine. If you look about you as you go, you'll find many such objects.