I didn’t set out to create a diy post on how to create dripped wax wine bottles. But after doing it, I felt the need to share with you how I accomplished the finished look.
This project started because I was creating a creepy Halloween table setting where wine bottles had been used as candle holders, and the wax allowed to melt down the sides of the bottle.
Since I wanted the tablescape to appear as if it had been untouched for years, the bottles needed to be coated in candle wax, as if the candles had completely burnt down and out.
I thought this would be an easy look to achieve. It was, but not the way I originally planned. I thought I would be able to light a candle, leave it (still attended – just letting it burn down) and that the candle wax would drip down the bottle.
Nope! Boy was I 100% wrong.
I discovered that EVERY candlestick I own does NOT drip wax! I tried six different candles. No luck.
When did this happen? I was under the impression that all candles drip wax. I’m not sure where I got that idea from (probably the movies), but I was obviously wrong.
Every tall candle I lit, with the intention of the wax dripping down and creating a really cool melted look, didn’t drip. They were dripless candles. The packaging didn’t say they were dripless, but the candle industry must now make them dripless. Who knew!
So that left me with a dilemma. How was I going to achieve the look of a tall candle dripping wax for hours down the sides of a wine bottle?
Here is how I created the drip candle wine bottle look you see…
Supplies for Dripped Wax Old Wine Bottles
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- Empty wine bottles
- Brown acrylic paint
- 1 taper candle per bottle
How to Achieve the look of old drip candle wine bottles for Halloween
First: You need to age the wine bottle labels
Take a little dark brown paint and put it on a paper towel. Then lightly spread the paint over the existing wine labels to give them an aged look.
Wipe off the excess paint that gets on the bottle itself.
You want just the labels to have a thin layer of paint.
Second: Creating the dripped candle wax look
Light a new taper candle. You could use a pillar candle, but it isn’t as easy to hold as a taper candle.
Just outside and above the wine bottle opening, hold the candle at a slight angle, facing down. The candle wax will begin to melt and drip. Great!
As the candle melts and drips, slowly turn the bottle with your other hand so the wax drips will go all the way around the wine bottle.
*Tip: Cover your work surface with newspaper, as the wax might drip onto your surface.
You will need to rotate the candle occasionally so that it melts evenly.
I found that holding the candle over the wider area of the wine bottle, after focusing on the neck area was a good strategy. Also allowing the wax to pool in areas, would create long drips down the sides.
I was able to use only one candle per bottle to achieve the look I wanted.
Final: Completing the dripped wax wine bottle look
Don’t melt the last inch of the candle. Put the candle nub in the wine bottle opening and then take a second candle and drip a little wax from the second candle, over the candle nub. This will create the look as if the candle in the bottle completely melted down.
Have fun using these dripped wax wine bottles. Won’t they look awesome as part of your Halloween decorations, or on your Halloween table setting. They make a great spooky centerpiece, too! Just add a few spiders and fake cobwebs.
See how they look on the creepy Halloween table setting. They really add a fun element to the table!
*Note: After I created these wax dripped wine glasses, I discovered that there are candles made specifically to drip. Who knew!
Check them out. They look pretty cool…
