In my article, you will not find detailed procedures for how to make soy candles, for example. But if step-by-step detail is what you’re looking for, you will certainly find it in other pages of this website. Hint…for soy candles try that clickable link that you just passed over. :)
Candle making is one of the oldest hobbies on the planet. What was once a necessity for lighting the dark night is now a simple hobby that many people enjoy tremendously.
There are a variety of reasons why such an old hobby like candle making continues to be popular. First, people simply enjoy making candles for personal use. Some consider it a great craft project for older children. Many people make candles to give away as gifts, while others make a business of it and sell their creations. The process of candle making is so basic that most people enjoy learning it.
7 Tips How to Make a Candle
1. Supplies
Before learning how to make a candle, you must first get some supplies. You can buy wax, wicks and other basic candle making supplies from almost any craft store. Due to the popularity of the hobby, optional supplies like dyes, decorations and fragrances are usually available at those same stores. A simple search for candle making supplies will yield plenty of options for online purchase.
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2. Molds
how to make a candle_picA mold is essential, because it determines the shape and impacts the visual appeal of your candles. But you needn’t get complicated. You can use all sorts of household items for molds…such as yogurt containers, tart tins, plastic cups, candy and/or soap molds and mason jars. You can also purchase traditional or novelty shaped molds made out of plastic, steel, rubber or glass.
3. Melting the wax
Melting your wax is the only tricky part of learning how to make a candle correctly. Wax can burn when you try to melt it with direct heat, so use a double boiler to melt the wax safely. Put about two inches of water in a large pot and place it on the stove. A smaller melting pot that contains the un-melted wax will be placed inside the larger pot. Boiling water will heat the melting pot and melt the wax safely. This two pot combination is known as a double boiler. The melting pot will double as your pouring pot so it should have a spout and a handle.
4. Scenting and Dying Candles
How to make a candle even more special and unique? Imagination is your only requirement. But don’t worry…you will become more candle creative with a little experience. You will learn to use different fragrances, colors and decorations to make your candles unique.
It’s important to use dyes and scents made specifically for candles, although most essential oils will blend with wax in small quantities.
Use color chips or liquid dyes for coloring your candles. You can create your own colors by mixing the primary colors together. Blue and yellow make green; red and yellow make orange; and red and blue make purple. Adding more or less of one primary color will darken or lighten the resulting color.
Add dyes only after the wax is completely melted. The correct melting temperature depends on the wax you used, but it is normally between 150 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fragrances are added to the wax just before pouring it into the mold.
5. Cooling and Molding
Place the wick in a wick clip and fix it to the middle of your mold. When the wax has melted fill your molds to the top.
Let the candle cool for four to six hours before attempting to remove it from the mold. Sometimes, putting the mold into the freezer for about a half an hour makes it easier to remove the candle. Another idea is to spray non-stick cooking spray into the mold before pouring the wax into it.
6. Experiment
You need to experiment with the candle making process to find the best strategy for yourself. Once you’ve mastered this basic flow, there are many different types of candles you can produce. For example, you can create traditional tapered candles by dipping wicks in hot wax continuously. You can even decorate them with sparkles, ribbons, decoupage, paint, dried flowers or carvings.
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7. Candle Making Business
Some entrepreneurs have successfully turned candle making into a lucrative business. After learning how to make candles, they have used their skills as a means to make money. They do this by buying their supplies in bulk at discount prices. They also take invest time and effort into packaging their products attractively. Imagination is the driving force behind much of their success.
People are always looking for innovation when it comes to this old custom, so go ahead. It all starts with learning how to make a candle…one single candle. Learn how to make candles and make your mark on this wonderful hobby!
Read more about my article Holland House Candles !
