Instructions - Homemade Candle Making Basic Procedure - Technique

An article with basic instructions on making homemade candles
By Paul R. Wonning
© 2005

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There are a number of procedures for making homemade candles. Some of the more popular methods include wax crystal candles, paraffin candles, and gel candles. Using these methods, you can make many different types of candles. Included in this articles are basic instructions and techniques for these types of candles.

Wax crystals are the most versatile candle making medium, allowing you to make either melted container or molded candles, or simpler sand art candles. Since wax crystals are loose, they can be poured like sand into a container. Insert a wick into the center of the container, and light the candle. This candle may be scented by stirring in a quantity of liquid fragrance after the candle is poured.

Note: Parafin is a petroleum product and is VERY flammable, so be very careful with the wax around any heat source.

Instructions For Making Candles From Wax Crystals
Container and molded candles may also be easily made from the wax crystals. The wax crystals are poured into a small metal sauce pan or boiler bag. This is placed into a bigger pan which has been about half filled with water. This water is placed on the kitchen range, and boiled until the wax melts. Now you may add fragrance wafers, Stirring in as it melts.

While the wax is melting, prepare the container or mold. For containers, insert a wick into the wick anchor, press tabs down securing the wick and place centering on the bottom of the container. Lay a piece of balsa wood across the top of the container. Pin the wick to the balsa strip with a dressmakers pin, allowing very little slack in the wick.

Mold preparation depends on the type of mold you have. Acrylic molds have a hole at the bottom. Pull the wick through this hole, and secure on the bottom with a generous amount of modeling clay. Seal well! Pin the wick to a balsa strip at the top in the manner described for container candles. Snap molds consist of two halves which are snapped securely together. The wick is anchored by a special indentation at the bottom of the mold into which the wick is inserted before the two halves are assembled. Secure the wick at the top in the manner already described. Tray molds are the easiest to use. Pour the wax into the mold and insert the wick after the wax has cooled somewhat. Pop the candle from the mold after it cools.

For the best candles, the wax should be about 160 degrees. Use a candle making thermometer to measure the temperature. Carefully pour the wax into the container or mold. Keep a little wax back. After the wax cools, there will be a depression in the center of the candle. Melt the wax you saved back again, and top up the container.

You can pour multi-color candles by using more than one color of wax. Prepare the mold or clear glass container. Melt the wax one color at a time and pour, allowing time for the previous layer to cool before the next layer is poured. This is necessary to prevent color ‘bleed’ from one layer to another.

Allow the wax to cool completely to make removal from mold easier. Pull firmly up on wick, and squeeze the sides of the mold to loosen wax. Snap molds should separate easily. Seam marks can be removed by polishing with an old nylon stocking.

Basic Technique For Homemade Candles From Parafin Slabs
Candles made from raw paraffin must have the other ingredients added to them. Melt the paraffin using the double boiler method described for wax crystals, after breaking into smaller chunks. After melting, add colorant, fragrance, stearine, and luster in the amounts indicated by the manufacturer. Candles made this way are usually superior to wax crystal candles, but are a little more trouble to make.

Molded can be used as is, or you may decorate them in various ways. If you wish to paint or decorate the candle, first apply two or three coats of an acrylic sealer. After this has dried, acrylic paints, stickers, or rub on decals may be applied. Decoupage methods may also be used. Modge Podge is used to adhere photos, cloth, ribbon, greeting cards, dried flowers, seeds, herbs, beads - the list is endless.

The basic procedures for making homemade candles are not hard. You just need to make sure you carefully follow the instructions and develope your technique through practice.

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