What Is A Dough Bowl Candle?

What is a Dough Bowl?

A dough bowl candle is a type of candle made by pouring wax into a bowl formed from bread dough. As the name suggests, the candle vessel is made from dough, often using a bread recipe, that is shaped into a bowl and allowed to harden. Once hardened, the dough bowl is decorated and scented wax is poured inside to create a one-of-a-kind candle.

Dough bowls are most commonly made from wheat or rye doughs, though any bread dough can be used. The dough is shaped by hand into the desired bowl form and size while still pliable. Bowls are generally around 4-6 inches wide but can range from small tealights to larger pillar sizes. The dough bowl is allowed to dry and harden, which can take 1-2 weeks, before being decorated and having wax poured inside.

The handcrafted nature of the dough vessel lends a rustic, homemade feel to dough bowl candles. The dough bowls come in organic shapes with slightly rounded and uneven sides. Each dough bowl and resulting candle is completely unique in its details.

History and Origins

Dough bowl candles originated in the Appalachian region of the United States in the early 1800s. Settlers in this area, often lacking access to store-bought candles, would make their own candles using resources they had on hand, including beeswax from local beehives and tallow rendered from animal fat.

To hold the candle wax, these resourceful pioneers would use carved out dough bowls, which were a common household item used for kneading and rising bread dough before baking. The unique shape and handcrafted imperfection of these repurposed dough bowls gave the candles a rustic, homespun look.

As lighting methods modernized over the next centuries with the availability of paraffin wax and manufactured candles, dough bowl candles fell out of necessity and became a charming relic of earlier, simpler times. But the handmade candles still held appeal as decorative and artistic objects. In the 1970s, the back-to-the-land movement and renewed interest in traditional Appalachian crafts brought dough bowl candles back into popularity. Today they are enjoyed around the world as a decor item celebrating rural heritage and antique charm.

Making Dough Bowl Candles

Making dough bowl candles is a fun DIY project that allows you to create unique decorative candles using basic ingredients and techniques. Here are the main steps for making dough bowl candles:

Materials Needed

To make dough bowl candles, you’ll need the following materials:

• A dough bowl or other ceramic bowl/container
• Beeswax
• Wicks
• Fragrance oils, essential oils, or herbs (optional)
• Decorative items like flowers, berries, seeds, etc. (optional)
• Double boiler
• Spoon

Instructions

Follow these key steps to make your own dough bowl candles:

1. Clean and dry your dough bowl thoroughly.
2. Melt the beeswax in a double boiler until fully liquefied.
3. Prepare the wick by securing it to a pencil or chopstick placed over the top of the bowl.
4. Once the wax has melted, carefully pour it into the dough bowl about 1/2 to 2/3 full.
5. Let the wax fully harden and cool overnight before handling.
6. Once hardened, trim the wick to about 1/4 inch.
7. Remelt the wax and pour a second layer to fill the bowl as needed.
8. Add fragrance, herbs, or decorations as desired.
9. Allow to fully harden again before use.

Making your own dough bowl candles is an easy DIY craft project. Just be sure to take proper safety precautions when melting wax and trimming wicks. With some creativity, you can make beautiful and unique candles using this classic technique.

Decorating Dough Bowl Candles

Decorating is one of the most creative and fun parts of making dough bowl candles. There are endless possibilities when it comes to decorating the outside of the bowl. Here are some of the most popular decorative styles and techniques:

Painting – Painting the bowl allows you to add any color or pattern. Popular paint choices are cream, white, gray, brown, blue, green and distressed paint finishes. You can use acrylic craft paints and apply with a brush or sponge. Adding a wash of watered down paint gives an antique washed look.

Distressing – Distressing involves intentionally creating a worn, weathered look. Popular distressing techniques include sanding, scraping, cracking, denting, and chipping the dough bowl’s surface. Aging glazes and waxes can also add to the distressed finish.

Embellishments – Dough bowls can be embellished with ropes, twines, raffia, flowers, leaves, seeds, berries and other natural elements. You can wrap embroidery floss around the rim for a pretty effect. Other popular embellishments are buttons, beads, charms, lace and burlap.

Get creative with paints, glazes and embellishments to make your dough bowl candle design truly unique. The decorating possibilities are endless!

Scenting Dough Bowl Candles

One of the best parts of making dough bowl candles is choosing your own custom scents. Dough bowls provide a generous amount of space to add multiple fragrances for a signature candle.

When selecting candle wax, it’s best to choose products designed for scenting, like soy wax or paraffin wax blends. These waxes easily absorb and deliver fragrance.

You can scent dough bowl candles with essential oils, fragrance oils, or scented candle dye chips. Essential oils derive from plants and offer authentic aromas. Fragrance oils are synthetic but come in many more varieties. Candle dye chips provide both color and coordinated fragrance.

For best results, add .5 to 1 ounce of fragrance oil per pound of wax. Combining complementary scents works well for dough bowls. Blend floral with fruity, herbal with citrus, or spicy with sweet. Start with small amounts of each scent to achieve balance.

The most popular fragrances for dough bowl candles are vanilla, lavender, eucalyptus, cinnamon, citrus blends, pine, coffee, and baked goods like sugar cookie. Choose scents that evoke fond memories or complement your decor.

Burning Safety

When burning dough bowl candles, safety should be your top priority. Here are some tips for safe burning practices:

Watch the flame closely. If the flame becomes unusually large or flickering, extinguish the candle and trim the wick before relighting. Large flames can create excess smoke or dangerously overheat the wax.

Allow the melted wax to pool completely before extinguishing the candle. This will help prevent tunneling, where unmelted wax remains around the edges. For best results, let the candle burn for at least 2 hours per inch of diameter on the first burn.

Trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch before each lighting. Use wire wick trimmers made for candle wicks. Long wicks can cause soot or excess smoke. Trim only the blackened portion of the wick.

Burn candles in a stable holder on a level, heat resistant surface at least 3 inches from any flammable objects. Don’t burn for more than 4 hours at a time.

Extinguish candles if they begin to smoke excessively, have a weak flame, or the wax pool reaches the edges. Allow to cool completely before relighting. If problems persist, the wick may need to be replaced.

Keep candles out of drafts to prevent uneven burning. Don’t burn candles near pets or small children. Never touch or move a lit candle until completely cooled.

Storing Dough Bowl Candles

Proper storage is important for preserving your dough bowl candle and preventing damage when not in use. Here are some tips for storing dough bowl candles:

Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources like appliances or heating vents. Exposure to light and heat can cause the candle wax to melt or become misshapen. Find a cool, dark place like a cupboard or drawer to store the candle.

Place on a stable, level surface so it doesn’t get knocked over and broken. Avoid stacking other items on top of the dough bowl candle.

Cover the top of the bowl with plastic wrap or a tight fitting lid to protect the wax from dust, dirt, and other debris. This will also help retain the candle’s scent.

For long term storage, wrap the entire dough bowl tightly in plastic wrap or bubble wrap to prevent any damage. Store in a box and place cushioning material like tissue paper around the wrapped candle.

Keep away from moisture sources that could cause wax sweating or frosting on the candle’s surface. Ideal storage conditions are cool, dry, and dark.

Avoid extreme temperature fluctuations. Don’t move the candle between drastically different temperatures, as this can cause cracking or sweating on the wax.

With proper care and storage, your handcrafted dough bowl candle will stay looking beautiful and maintain its scent for many seasons of use.

Displaying Dough Bowl Candles

Dough bowl candles make for beautiful decorative accents in any home. Here are some ideas for stylishly displaying these rustic candles:

Centerpieces. Dough bowl candles create charming centerpieces. Place a large one in the middle of your dining table or cluster a few smaller ones together for a warm glow. Surround them with elements like pinecones, berries, greenery, and floral trims to complement the earthy look.

Mantels. Adorn your fireplace mantel with dough bowl candles for a cozy feel. Try different heights and sizes lined up or arranged asymmetrically. Add pine sprigs, eucalyptus, ornaments, and other seasonal touches around them.

Shelves. Show off dough bowl candles on bookshelves, console tables, mantels, and more. Try grouping a few together or spacing them out evenly. Allow them to naturally draw the eye to interesting decorative objects surrounding them.

Windowsills. Place a dough bowl candle or two on a windowsill to create a welcoming vignette. Pair them with potted plants, draped textiles, framed photos, and other personal artifacts.

Front porches. Welcome guests with the warm glow of dough bowl candles on your front porch or entryway table. Choose candles with scents like pine or cinnamon during the holidays for an extra festive bouquet.

Coffee tables. Arrange varying heights of dough bowl candles on your coffee table to create a relaxed ambiance in your living room. Scatter pinecones, acorns, or decorative glass pebbles around the candles.

Unique Uses

While most dough bowl candles are used indoors as decorative pieces, there are some unique ways to utilize these handmade candles. One interesting use is for outdoor lighting. The large dough bowl provides a built-in holder that protects the candle from wind. Position a dough bowl candle on a table on your deck or patio to provide beautiful ambiance for an evening gathering.

For a rustic look, place a dough bowl candle on a tree stump or rock wall lining your garden. The natural candlelight creates a cozy feel for alfresco dining. If hosting a backyard wedding or event, lining the aisles and reception area with dough bowl candles adds a romantic glow.

In the fall, dough bowl candles make festive harvest decor for front porches and entryways. Arrange mini pumpkin dough bowls filled with candles on your front steps or line your sidewalk to welcome trick-or-treaters. For an easy outdoor luminary, place a tea light inside a dough bowl and nestle into a bed of leaves or pine needles.

Buying Dough Bowl Candles

Dough bowl candles have become quite popular over the years, making them relatively easy to find both online and in stores. However, not all dough bowl candles are created equal when it comes to quality. Here are some tips for finding high quality dough bowl candles at reasonable prices:

Specialized candle shops, either online or brick-and-mortar, are a good place to start your search. These retailers often focus on unique, handmade candles like dough bowls. Boutiques and craft fairs can also yield handmade finds. When buying from small makers, examine product photos closely and read reviews to help gauge quality.

For more affordable, mass-produced options, try big box stores like Target and Walmart, especially during the fall and winter months. Department stores like Nordstrom and specialty chains like Anthropologie also carry dough bowl candles seasonally. Be aware that quality may vary more with big box brands. Check labels for details like fragrance oils vs. essential oils and natural vs. synthetic waxes.

Online marketplaces like Etsy have individual sellers offering dough bowl candles at a range of price points. Read shop reviews and check policies related to shipping/returns. Sites like Amazon and Walmart.com also carry dough bowl candles.

Costs for dough bowl candles typically range from about $10-$30 for mass-produced ones up to $50 or more for high end, artisanal versions. Consider volume, ingredients, uniqueness of design, and seller/brand reputation when evaluating price. With proper care, a quality dough bowl candle should provide many hours of fragrant ambiance and visual appeal.