An Introduction to Candle Making

Candle making is a craft that takes very little studying and practicing. It is true that the more you do it the better you get and the easier it becomes, but this is a craft that anyone can do. You can also do it with your older children. It doesn't take much to soon be producing great candles.

Equipment.

It doesn't take a lot of expensive or fancy equipment, but it does take some. You will need a double boiler that you don't feel bad about ruining or a pan that you are willing to ruin and an empty coffee can. This will be how you melt you wax.

Jars or molds will be necessary to make your candles. You can use recycled jars or new ones that are purchased for a few dollars each. Or you can buy a mold that can be used again and again. Some locations you can also find the metal cups that tea candles are often poured into so you can make your own tea candles easily.

Supplies.

Supplies are really the part where you can have some fun and try new things. You will need wicks or a roll of wick twine and metal bottoms. You can get them in a prepared variety or you can make your own with the metal bottoms. You will need to cut either to size (always leave 1" more then the project you are making requires). If you are making your own, cut your wick and attach it to the metal bottom. For some metal bottoms you will need pliers to squeeze them shut and hold the wick in place.

Wax comes in a wide variety of options. You can get colored beads that also have a fragrance, a large block of wax that needs to be chopped up and melted, or something in between. The kind that is already in bead form can be used by placing a wick in a jar and filling the jar with the beads for a finished candle.

You have several options for colors and fragrances. It is easiest and least expensive to pick up the kind made for coloring and frangrancing candles (sometimes soap as well). These are easy to use by adding them to the melted wax.

Basic Instructions.

Use the double boiler (or pan with coffee can) by placing water in the bottom and wax in the top. You will want to heat the wax slowly. As it melts stir it gently. A wooden spoon works great for this, however it won't be easy to remove the wax so it is best to use something you are willing to donate to your candle making.

After the wax is melted add your colorant and your fragrance. Mix these in well. Place the wick in the bottom of the mold or jar. It is often recommended that you lightly spray your mold with cooking spray to make it easier to remove the candle. While holding the wick up, pour the hot wax into the mold or jar.

Let it cool. If you used a mold you will have to remove the candle from the mold. This can be a pain sometimes and it is best if you follow directions to your mold. Some pull apart and arn't that hard to use, others are harder. If you come across a candle that won't come out slowly heat it with a flame to melt the edges and dump it out.

If you used a jar you can let it cool and decorate your jar as you choose. Ribbons, the scratch 'em on designs found in the decorating section, and other items can finish your jar off beautifully.

Candles are great things to have around the house, and to give as gifts. With just a little work and a little time you can be making beautiful candles. It is a project that doesn't have a lot of expense involved and can be done by everyone (who is old enough to handle hot wax).