How to make candles

When making a candle there are a lot of decisions that you have to make. You must decide what type and size of candle to make, what kind of wax to use, select a fragrance, and where to make the candle at.

Candle Making 101

Step #1: Choose a location. Once you have chosen a location, the first thing you must do is to cover your work area with newspaper or waxed paper, since dried wax can be difficult to remove from some surfaces. Helpful tip don't pour hot candle wax over your kitchen sink, it will stop up your drain.

Step #2: Prepare a mold. You can either purchase a mold or make one from a variety of disposable food or drink containers. If you chose to make a mold you should not use a soup or vegetable can because the ridges will not allow you to remove your candle once it is harden. Make sure the mouth of the mold is wider than the base so that you can slide your candle out easy and be sure to oil the inside of the mold.

Step #3: Step up a double boiler and melt the wax.
Never heat wax directly in a pot instead heat it indirectly with a double boiler. If you don't have a double boiler and don't want to buy one, you can make your own double boiler with a coffee can and a pot of water. You just simply put a pot filled with a couple inches of water on high heat on the stove, place the coffee can inside the pot of water. Make sure that you have some water, but not enough to make the coffee can float, inside the pot at all times. Now it's time to melt the wax. While your pot of water is on the stove warming, cut up a quarter of a pound of wax into cubes and place them in the can and stir until the wax has reached the appropriate temperature. Be aware wax is flammable at high temperatures so never leave it unattended while heating. Don't heat it until it starts to sputters or smokes and if it should catch a fire just cover the pot with a lid and turn the stove off. Never and again I say Never pour water on a wax fire.

Step #4: This is optional-Coloring and scenting the candle. You can buy color dye but you ca also use crayons to color candles. Just one candle per quarter pound of wax provides a deep and rich color. You can mix colors to make different colors or mix white with another color to make a softer shade of the color. When your wax is almost completely melted, break the crayon(s) into pieces and drop them into the wax and stir. Now add about a half a teaspoon of desired scent. Be aware if too much scent is added your candle may not burn properly.

Step #5: Make the wicks. You can either buy or make the wicks for your candles. If you choose to make the wick cut thick cotton string about three inches longer than your mold you will be using. Once the wax is melted, dip cotton string in wax and place the wick on a piece of waxed paper, be sure to lay them out in a straight line so they will be nice and straight when you need them later. Instead of scenting the candle you can scent the wick. Before you dip the wick in wax, soak the wicks in a fragrance or perfume.

Step # 6: Pour the Wax into the mold. Use a pot holder and remove the coffee can from the boiling water. Allow the wax to cool one to two minutes before pouring it into the mold. Now tilt the mold towards the can and pour the wax slowly into the mold. Leave a little space at the top on the mold, this will make removing the candle easier.

Step # 7: Insert the wick. Insert the wick into the center of the mold. Make sure to pay attention to the amount of wick that is out of the mold, there should only be three inches if more than that your wick is not at the bottom of the mold. Take a pencil or a pen and lay it across the mouth of the mold and wrap the end of the wick around it. Let candle stay in mold at least a day before you remove it, to make sure all of the wax has harden.

Step #8: Remove the candle. Be patient while removing your candle. Turn the mold upside down and tap on the bottom to remove to candle. If you can't get the candle out this way then carefully insert a knife and jiggle it slightly. Now if still can't get the candle out then put the mold into some hot water for a few seconds.

Candle Making 101

Now this is the best part, you can either enjoy your candle or give to someone as a gift.

Candle Making 101

Good Luck Candlemaking,
Lynn Sheffield