Floating candles are an ideal way to create serenity in any space. They provide a relaxed, hypnotic ambience to any indoor or outdoor atmosphere. They especially do well to create romance in an intimate setting. Both fire and water have a way of entrancing a person but when the two are put together through floating candles the effect can be intoxicating.

Floating candles are small candles made to float in a container of water, usually a bowl of some sort, while lit. They have broader top surfaces than their rounded bottoms so they won't tip over and have their flame extinguished. They can be found in a variety of colors and several are scented. Use them for wedding centerpieces or pool decorations or for whatever setting you choose to enhance the beauty of for these candles will do the job.

A floating candle is generally the size of a votive candle or at least fit securely in the palm of your hand, usually 2 to 3 inches in diameter. They have rounded bottoms so that they can float better and will often be used as centerpieces at wedding receptions. The best effect is to have two or three per bowl. You can find them in many shapes like flowers and butterflies or any other number of ideas. Larger candles can have several wicks and are great for pool settings as flower arrangements when you want to entertain outdoors but the weather is too chilly to use the pool for swimming. You will most likely find the candles as white floating candles or natural wax but more and more are being made in colors, some are even silver, to complement any occasion.

While you can find several things to act as floating candle holders to house your candles, there are actual floating candle bowls that are made and these work best. They also look best when they are clear and you can see the candles and the flicker of the flames. Find one that suits the theme you have chosen and make sure they have a wide enough mouth to keep the edges from blackening. Basically you want to be able to easily place at least three candles in the water of the bowl without them looking crowded. Crystal is always the best choice but plain glass works amazingly well too. Pick out your floating candle bowl of choice, add water and carefully place the candles in so that you don't get the wicks wet, then light them. If your bowl is large enough you can add any small flowers to make dazzling floating candle centerpieces. These can also help keep the candles from bunching together.

You only need a few things to make your own floating styled candles. Keep in mind, however, this is for making smaller votive sized candles, not the wider pool floating candles. Get some paraffin wax, a muffin or a cupcake mold or something that will have a wider top than the base, a roll of primed wick, a double boiler to melt the wax and you're ready. You want to make a lot of candles because perfecting your technique may take a few trial runs. Don't worry though; you can find floating candles bulk rates are pretty standard.

1. In your double boiler melt your wax.

2. You wax is ready when it gets to 180 F.

3. If you are making scented candles, add your oils now. The same goes for making colored candles.

4. Once melted pour the wax into your mold o choice.

5. Once the wax has a skin on top, push a piece of wick into the center, leaving about a quarter inch out of the top.

6. Let cool and when it's done just pop them out of the mold and you're done.

Below is a video that goes into detail how to make your floating candles. Enjoy!