A pottery candle is two crafts meeting in the middle.
Clay becomes a vessel meant to be held.
Wax becomes light, warmth, and atmosphere.
Neither part matters without the other, and both need to be done well for the candle to truly serve its purpose.
This is how I make mine.
The Clay
Every candle begins as a pot.
I throw my vessels using a mid-range stoneware clay chosen for durability and consistency. Candle vessels need to handle repeated heating and cooling, so strength matters just as much as beauty.
The forms are intentionally simple. Cylinders, gentle curves, pieces that feel good in the hands and sit solidly on a table. The goal is not novelty — it is usefulness.
After throwing, each piece dries slowly and evenly before trimming. Rims are cleaned, bottoms refined, and any sharp edges softened. A candle vessel should feel calm and finished before it ever reaches the kiln.
Bisque Firing
Once fully dry, the pieces go through a bisque firing.
This first firing transforms fragile greenware into a porous but sturdy ceramic that can accept glaze. It's an important step, rushing this stage can lead to cracking or weakness later on.
Bisque ware is checked carefully before glazing. Any flaws are addressed here, because once glaze and wax are added, the work is no longer forgiving.
Glazing the Vessel
I glaze my candle vessels using a combination of Amaco brush-on glazes and dipping glazes, depending on the finish I want.
Brush-on glazes allow for more control and layering. They're especially useful for interior coverage and for subtle variations that come from the hand.
Dipping glazes provide consistency and a smooth surface, particularly on the exterior. They're efficient and reliable, especially when producing multiples of the same form.
Interior surfaces are always fully glazed. This is essential for candle safety and cleanup. A glazed interior allows the vessel to be reused and cleaned easily once the candle has finished its life.
Glaze Firing
After glazing, the pieces are fired again in a glaze firing.
This is where the vessel becomes complete.
The kiln transforms raw materials into glassy surfaces and durable forms. Glaze colors deepen, textures emerge, and the piece settles into what it will be permanently.
Once cooled, each vessel is inspected. Candle vessels must be sound ,no cracks, no pinholes that compromise function. Only pieces that meet that standard move on.
Done is beautiful, but done also needs to be safe.
Preparing the Candle
Only after the pottery is finished do I move into candle making.
I use a blend of natural waxes, primarily soy with beeswax incorporated for stability, burn quality, and warmth. This combination allows for a clean, steady burn and a soft glow that suits a handmade ceramic vessel.
Each candle is wicked according to vessel size and diameter. Wick choice matters more than most people realize. It determines how evenly the candle burns and how the wax pool behaves over time.
I pour in small batches, allowing the wax to cool slowly to avoid surface imperfections and ensure a proper set.
Fragrance, Quietly
Scent is an important part of a candle, but it is also deeply personal to a maker.
I source and blend my fragrances intentionally, but I keep those details private. What matters most is not where the fragrance comes from, but how it behaves in the wax and how it fills a room.
A good candle should enhance a space, not overwhelm it.
Letting the Candle Rest
Once poured, candles are allowed to cure.
This resting time allows the wax and fragrance to fully bind, improving scent throw and burn performance. Rushing this step does the candle no favors.
Like pottery, candle making rewards patience.
A Finished Piece
When complete, a pottery candle is more than a container of wax.
It is a finished object meant to be used daily. It brings light to a table, warmth to a room, and something solid to hold.
After the candle has burned, the vessel remains. Cleaned and reused, it continues its life as a cup, a bowl, or a small keeper of things.
That is always the intention.
Explore the full pottery candle collection or learn about our candle vessel refill service.