We must confess… our dear friend Jonathon Marc Mendes totally stole our hearts last year with his Bows Mould LED Candle project, and we just couldn’t resist bringing the idea back for autumn. This time, we’re using the Autumn Cottage Mould because she’s way too darling to sit this season out! Picture a simple LED candle dressed up with pumpkins, leaves, and all those rich autumnal tones that make our hearts go pitter-patter. 🍂

With soft beeswax, pearlescent mica powders, and the dainty details of Autumn Cottage, you’ll be layering copper, orange, and earthy browns into the sweetest little fall vignette. Ready to make something beautiful together?

Grab your IOD goodies from your local stockist and follow along in the tutorial below! If you’re not sure where to find one, click here to use our store locator. 

IOD Products Needed: 

• Autumn Cottage Mould

Other Supplies: 

• Thick and Quick Glue

• Mica Powders

• 6x6 Round Flameless Candle

• Candle Making Kit

Step-by-Step Guide

STEP ONE: GATHER YOUR SUPPLIES

To start, we chose a larger candle so the moulds wouldn’t have to curve too much. We’re also working with beeswax here since it’s naturally softer and a bit more pliable, perfect for taking on a curved shape.

STEP TWO: MELT THE WAX

We’re using a candle-making kit for this project. That said, use whatever setup you’re most comfortable with. For our leaves and pumpkin, we used about a quarter bag of wax pellets (way less than we expected!). Melt them down in a heat-safe vessel; ours came with a handy metal pouring jug for this purpose. Once the wax is fully melted, carefully pour it into your moulds. No need for cornstarch or spray ahead of time. Keep at it until you have all the castings you need.

STEP THREE: ALLOW DRY TIME

It takes a little time for the wax to set up, so patience is key. Ours took about twenty minutes to return to that soft, opaque ivory. The trick is to pop them out while they’re still warm but not hot. Place them onto your candle right away so they can finish cooling and naturally follow the curve. Don’t stress about perfect placement or glue just yet. For now, it’s all about letting them take shape.

STEP FOUR: ADD COLOR WITH MICA POWDERS

Once your castings are cool to the touch, peel them off the candle and break out the mica powders! Some people like to dust mica directly into the moulds before pouring, but we wanted the freedom to layer and play with color, so we saved this step for afterwards. For the leaves, we blended copper, red, and warm browns, pressing the pigments into the veins to really highlight the texture. For the pumpkin, we used copper and orange on the body with a touch of brown on the stem. Build your colors up in layers, gently brushing and tapping off the excess as you go for a rich finish. Glue your composition in place and enjoy your new autumn candle! 

If you're just kicking off your creative journey, have no fear — our Product 101 pages are packed with straightforward techniques to set you up for success. We're thrilled to accompany you as you explore and create. For more how-tos and creative inspo, make sure to browse through the rest of our blog.

Once you've crafted your final piece, share it with our Facebook Creative Tribe! This community is not just a showcase but also a supportive hub for when you hit those creative roadblocks. And remember, your local stockist is always ready to assist with IOD supplies and expert advice. We're excited to see what you'll bring to life!