Candle making Process

Candle making is an art form that has survived the centuries, born out of necessity around 200 AD, to become a wildly popular hobby today. Dive into this archaic art by making candles at home. They are easy to create, mesmerizing to look at...and they make great gifts. Follow these steps to make beautiful homemade candles.

Preparing the Wax for Melting

Decide what kind of wax you want to use to make your candle. There are several different kinds of wax to choose from. One pound of paraffin wax by weight will equal approximately 20 oz of liquid melted wax. One pound of soy wax will equal approximately 18 oz of liquid when melted. One pound of beeswax by weight will equal approximately 16 oz of liquid when melted.

Paraffin wax is the traditional wax for candle making and is still by far the most popular wax. It is good for beginners because it melts quickly, is cheap and is easily colored or scented. However, it should be noted that the chemicals that are emitted when this wax is melted could be irritating to some people.

Soy wax is becoming increasingly popular as it is easy to use, made from soybeans and cleans up pretty easily. It is eco-friendly and renewable. Soy wax is also known to burn more slowly than most other waxes.

Beeswax is all natural and has air purifying qualities to it; however, it doesn’t retain scent or coloring that well. Essential oils will generally work with beeswax but keep in mind that beeswax has its own lovely scent.

You can also use old candles that have been burned down or are half-used and warped. Using old candles is a great way to recycle wax. Simply melt them just as you would melt other wax

Protect your work area before you begin. 

Unless you have a dedicated area that you can get wax on without worrying about it, you should put newspaper, wax paper, or towels and rags down on the surface you will be working on. Have some warm

Cut or shred your wax into chunks or shavings. Smaller chunks of wax melt better than larger chunks. By using smaller pieces, you will also ensure that the wax melts at an even rate.

Fill a medium or large pot halfway through with water. Make sure there's enough room in the pot for a smaller container; you'll be using the smaller vessel to melt the wax in a makeshift double boiler.

Place the wax chunks or shavings in a smaller, heat-resistant container. Place this smaller container inside the larger pot, creating a makeshift double boiler. Note: You cannot put candle wax directly on heat or it will catch fire or evaporate. Turn the heat to high so that the water boils. The boiling water will slowly melt the wax.

Keep in mind that wax can be difficult to clean--you may want to purchase a cheap, heat-safe pot that you designate specifically for making candles.

Use a thermometer to keep an eye on the temperature of the wax. You can purchase candy or candle thermometers at a cooking or craft store. If you do not have a candy thermometer, you can also use a meat thermometer. Just remember that wax can be hard to remove.

Paraffin wax should be melted until it reaches between 122 and 140°F (50 and 60°C).

Soy wax should be melted until it reaches between 170 and 180 degrees (76.6 and 82.2°C).

Beeswax should be melted until it reaches roughly 145 degrees (62.7°C). You can go a little bit higher but try not to exceed 175 degrees (79.4°C).

Old candles should be melted at around 185 degrees (85°C). Remove the old wicks with tongsto Make Homemade Candles

Add scent to your melted wax. 

The scent you choose is up to you. Scents such as essential oils can be purchased at your local craft store. It is best to read the bo

ttle’s directions rather than base the amount you put in on how strongly it smells after the scent has already been added. Stir well.

Add coloring.

 Normal food coloring will not work in candles because they are water-based. Purchase oil-based dyes at your local craft store. You can generally find specific candle dyes. Read the bottle for the proper amount of dye to put in to achieve a certain color. Add drops of coloring until you have reached your desired color. Stir well.