Scented candles are all the rage right now and why wouldn't they be? You've got mesmerizing fire, calming scents, and mood lighting all in one classy little package. But, there's one downside: price. So, let's make our own, shall we?

Step 1: First Things First: Get Those Supplies.

You will need:

Soy Wax
Mason Jars
Candle Wicks
Wick Centering Devices OR Tape
Essential Oils
Crayons
Microwavable Bowl
Disposable Stirring Utensil
Scissors
Microwave

Optional:

Freezer
Washi Tape

Step 2: Prepping for Melt Mastering

So, you opened your box of soy wax flakes and you're thinking I can so just stick a wick in this and call it a day, right? I've never actually tried that method, but I have a feeling it's not ideal. So in order to make a classy AF candle, you're going to need to melt the wax. You can either do on the stovetop in a double boiler situation, or you can go the microwave route. I obviously microwaved. Make sure the microwaveable bowl you've selected is one you don't mind destroying. I just feel like it won't remain food grade after the wax, you know? Take your mason jar (I used 8 oz. and 4 oz. ones because they're so cute and candley, but you're welcome to use any size you want.) and fill it up with the soy wax flakes. Dump the flakes from the mason into your bowl. Repeat. Approximately two full masons of dry wax flakes become one full mason of candle.

Step 3: An Explosion of Color

You have options at this point. If you want a simple white candle, you can do that, skip this entire paragraph, and drink a glass of Chardonnay. BUT, if your bold little heart wants bold color, read on, my friend. (Oh, and you can have alcohol too, don't worry!) On the interwebs you will find wax dye. That's all well and good, but it is damn expensive. Here's an alternative: crayons. Those babies were born to color your candle. Feisty. Choose any color crayon you like: red, fuchsia, smaragdine, Pantone 2150... and remove its jacket. Break it into a few smaller pieces and drop them in the bowl with the wax.

If you're going to want to make a layered color candle (color blocked, if you will) then you're only going to want to melt enough wax and color for how much you'll need. For example, if you want half red and half green (Merry Christmas!), you'll need to use the half wax you've allotted, put in the red, melt that. Let it sit and solidify for a bit. The freezer helps. Then melt the other half with the green. If you want 1/3 red, 1/3 blue, 1/3 yellow, you'll do 1/3 of the wax with that color at a time.

Step 4: Zap It

Put the bowl in the microwave and set it for about 2 minutes. When it's done, check to see if it's nice and melty. Decide if it needs more time, and proceed accordingly. Once it's ready, use something to stir it (can be a plastic knife, a straw, a stirrer, anything disposable).

Step 5: Essential Oils Are Essential

Now, the key to a good scented candle is scents. Make sense? Think of your favorite scent. Do you like peppermint? Lavender? How about peppermint lavender?? Choose whichever scent you'd like and sprinkle 10-15 droplets into your melty wax. Want a more overpowering aroma? Sprinkle droplets to your heart's content.

Step 6: Keep Em Decorated

If you're looking for a little more color, a little more personalization: have I got the tool for you! Washi tape is so fun, you're going to want to put it on everything. It comes in endless patterns and colors and instantly fabulousizes your things. Decorate to your heart's content.

Step 7: Wick in a Jar

Place your wick in your mason jar. Some people like to secure the bottom metal piece to the bottom of the jar. We're a little more free-minded (erm, lazy), so just put it in and then place the wick centering device on the jar, placing the wick through whichever hole you'd like. You can use as many wicks as you want. You can center them or put them to two sides. Really, live your best life here.

If you don't have a wick centering device, you can do this step after you pour in the wax. Put in your wicks and then make a tape grid around the wick to keep it in the center. Alternatively, you can use one stronger piece of tape across the center. Make a hole in it using your scissors. And stick the wick through.

Step 8: Pour, Baby, Pour!

Pour your melty, colorful (or not), scented wax into your mason. Avoid the wick centering device. Or tape. Try to pour straight into the mason to avoid unnecessary cleaning. Fill it up. Really. Fill till wherever you want the candle to go. It's not going to expand or anything.

Step 9: Set It and Forget It (Or Freeze It)

If you're patient and you're good at waiting for things, you're probably a happy person. And you can just leave your candle to harden on its own. If you want to hurry up the process though, put it in the freezer for a bit. That will get the hardening process started. Then leave it out overnight.

Step 10: Making It Perfect

So, your wick is probably rising way out of the jar. The handy thing about a candle in a mason is the lid. This makes it highly portable, clean, and it has the ability to close that scenty goodness inside itself if you're thinking about different scents at different times. So trim your wick down so that you can screw the lid on the on. Make sure you wait to trim the wick till the candle is good and dry so that you don't mess up your perfect candle. Use some nice sharp scissors.

Step 11: This Girl Is on Fire

At this point, you can either give the candle to someone as a super artsy and classy gift, or keep it for yourself. Strike a match, light the wick, and enjoy the ambience of your brand new scented candle made with your own two hands for a fraction of the cost. You deserve some rosé. Get it.

Thanks for joining me on this journey!