Designing and making your own candles can be a lot of fun and you only need a few tools and materials.
Paraffin is the most practical wax to use.
It comes in 500g slabs, one of these melts down to approximately 4 liters of liquid wax.
Something I found very useful is stearin.
Stearin also known as stearic acid raises the melting point of wax and makes the candle burn longer.
Take care doing the next step.
The melting of the paraffin wax is done in a double boiler.
Bring the water at the bottom to boil.
Add the paraffin to the top of the double boiler, a few chunks at a time.
Check the temperature of the melting wax with a sugar thermometer.
Make sure the wax does not get hotter than 99 degrees Centigrade or it will begin smoking (paraffin is flammable).
When the wax has melted stir in the stearin.
You can add dyes to color your candles or oils to scent your candles.
If you are going to add a dye, use only commercial dyes that are specifically for candle making.
The slivers of the dye can be cut into the wax once the stearin has dissolved.
To test the color of your candle, drop a bit of the wax onto a piece of white paper.
The finished candle will be slightly darker.
Candle molds, these can be bought or you can use a gelatin mold.
Lubricate the side of the mold with silicone spray or vegetable oil to make it easier to slide the completed candle out later.
Secure the wick to the bottom of the mold with tape.
Position a rod across the top of the mold and tie the wick to the rod, so the wick is taut.
Have the wax at approximately 88 - 94 degrees C for metal molds and 66-74 degrees C for other molds.
Wearing an oven glove, so as not to burn yourself, pour the wax into a measuring cup and then slowly into the mold.
If you are making a layered candle, pour the one color first and let it harden before pouring the next color layer.
Once the mold is full, place it in a bucket of water which is level with the wax.
Weight it down.
After about 30 minutes remove the weight, puncture the crust around the wick and fill the cavity which has formed with additional wax.
Let your candle harden overnight.
Gently pull the candle by the wick out of the mold.
You can even out the seam if it has made one.
Perfect, now you can create all the shapes and sizes, colors and fragrances that your heart desires.
Paraffin is the most practical wax to use.
It comes in 500g slabs, one of these melts down to approximately 4 liters of liquid wax.
Something I found very useful is stearin.
Stearin also known as stearic acid raises the melting point of wax and makes the candle burn longer.
Take care doing the next step.
The melting of the paraffin wax is done in a double boiler.
Bring the water at the bottom to boil.
Add the paraffin to the top of the double boiler, a few chunks at a time.
Check the temperature of the melting wax with a sugar thermometer.
Make sure the wax does not get hotter than 99 degrees Centigrade or it will begin smoking (paraffin is flammable).
When the wax has melted stir in the stearin.
You can add dyes to color your candles or oils to scent your candles.
If you are going to add a dye, use only commercial dyes that are specifically for candle making.
The slivers of the dye can be cut into the wax once the stearin has dissolved.
To test the color of your candle, drop a bit of the wax onto a piece of white paper.
The finished candle will be slightly darker.
Candle molds, these can be bought or you can use a gelatin mold.
Lubricate the side of the mold with silicone spray or vegetable oil to make it easier to slide the completed candle out later.
Secure the wick to the bottom of the mold with tape.
Position a rod across the top of the mold and tie the wick to the rod, so the wick is taut.
Have the wax at approximately 88 - 94 degrees C for metal molds and 66-74 degrees C for other molds.
Wearing an oven glove, so as not to burn yourself, pour the wax into a measuring cup and then slowly into the mold.
If you are making a layered candle, pour the one color first and let it harden before pouring the next color layer.
Once the mold is full, place it in a bucket of water which is level with the wax.
Weight it down.
After about 30 minutes remove the weight, puncture the crust around the wick and fill the cavity which has formed with additional wax.
Let your candle harden overnight.
Gently pull the candle by the wick out of the mold.
You can even out the seam if it has made one.
Perfect, now you can create all the shapes and sizes, colors and fragrances that your heart desires.