How to Make DIY Ghost Candles (Quick Overview)
To make DIY ghost candles, soak white taper candles in hot water until they turn soft and pliable, slowly bend them into drooping ghost shapes, then paint little faces near the tips with black acrylic paint. The whole project takes about an hour and uses just candles, hot water, and paint. Here is the step by step.
I’ve taken on quite a few craft projects, some that end up extremely time consuming and intricate, requiring hours of work and let me first tell you, this particular project is not one of those! In fact, it couldn’t be easier! You can do this project in an hour. Seriously!
If you prefer a video tutorial, you can watch it HERE.
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All you need is some white taper candles and candlesticks. I used these dripless tapers.
STEP 1: Find a receptacle to soak the candles in. I used a roasting pan but you could use anything that’s big enough to fit the candles lengthwise.
STEP 2: Soak the candles in the pan with hot water. I just use the hottest water that came out of the tap. Let them soak for 5 minutes, or until the water has cooled down.
STEP 3: Repeat step 2. Soak the candles two or three times until they become pliable.
STEP 4: Slowly bend the candles into the ghostly shapes that you want. Go slow and hold them in position until they are no longer bouncing back when you release them.
STEP 5: Using black acrylic paint and a tiny paint brush, add little faces to the tips of the candle below the wicks.
STEP 6: Allow the candles to dry and then put them in your favorite candlesticks! All of mine were thrifted, but here are some pretty ones that are similar.
That’s it! Your little ghosties are done! It will take a bit of time for the wicks to dry before you can light them, but they look great unlit too!
DIY Ghost Candle FAQs
What candles work best for ghost candles?
Plain white taper candles work best. I used dripless tapers. White gives that classic ghost look, and tapers are long enough to bend into a drooping shape.
How do you make taper candles bendable?
Soak them in hot water. I use the hottest water from the tap and let them sit about 5 minutes, then repeat two or three times until the wax is soft and pliable.
How do I keep the candles from snapping?
Bend slowly and only once the wax is fully softened. Hold each candle in position until it stops springing back, then let it cool in that shape.
Can you still burn the candles?
Yes. Let the wicks dry out first after soaking, and they light just fine. They also look great unlit, so they work as decor on their own.
How long does this project take?
About an hour, most of which is hands off soaking time. It is one of the easiest Halloween crafts you can make.
I hope you enjoy making these as much as I did! More Halloween crafts to come!
Until next time, happy DIY-ing!
-Selene Builds Things
About the author: I’m Selene Teitelbaum, the DIYer behind Selene Builds Things. I share seasonal crafts, home projects, and beginner friendly tutorials so anyone can make something they are proud of. More about me.
