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Crafting Gifts: How to Make Candles

Flipping a light switch may be the normal way to turn on a light today, but lighting a room hasn’t always been that simple. For hundreds of years, candles have been the standard in lighting a room and illuminating the path during night travel. The Romans dipped rolled papyrus in wax and use them as torches, although modern wicked candles have their roots with the ancient Egyptians. Candles throughout history were made from a variety of materials, including animal fat, bayberries and rendered whale oil, although modern candles are often made from beeswax and paraffin. Making candles isn’t a tradition left in the past; homemade candles make simple, elegant gifts for friends and family alike.

What Kind of Candles?

Before you start making candles, you must decide what kind of candles you want to make. Candles come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from small, round tea candles to long, thin pillar candles, and each type of candle requires a slightly different set of instructions. Container candles are by far the easiest to make, and are popular with novice candle makers. These simple candles are molded and housed in the same glass container, making them an easy craft for even tiny hands. The best part about container candles is they can be made with jars you already have in your home: empty jelly jars, old canning jars, even clean baby food jars are ideal for making candles.

Gather Your Materials

Round up your materials before you get to work on your candles. The first essential item is candle wax. Wax can be purchased from a candle supplier, or you can recycle old candle stubs lying around your house. A wax heater is required to melt the wax, but if you don’t have a wax heater, you can melt the wax in an old coffee can in a pot of boiling water. Use a large measuring cup or bowl with a spout to pour the wax into the containers without spilling.An old cooking or candy thermometer is necessary to test the heat of the wax. You also need wicks for your candles. Large, thick wicks work best for large candles, while thinner wicks work well for small candles. If you want certain colors or scents for your candles, wax dye and essential oils will give your candles just the right look and smell. Wash and dry your jars thoroughly, and arrange them near your candle making station to avoid unnecessary drips and spills.

Making Candles

Pour your wax pieces in your wax heater, or dump them in a clean metal can and set the can in a pot of boiling water on the stove. Stir the wax with a wooden spoon to encourage even melting, checking the temperature every 30 seconds with the thermometer. Melting temperature depends on the type of wax, so read the package carefully to determine proper temperature. Pour the melted wax into the measuring cup, and add the dye and essential oil. The amount of each varies depending on the desired color of the candle and how strong you want the smell, so check the label for the appropriate amounts. Stir gently until the wax is a uniform color, and pour it into the containers. Fill the container within 1/2-inch of the rim, and place a wick in the center of each candle. Hold the wick in place with your fingers until the wax cools enough to keep the wick upright. If you’re making a big batch of candles, tie each wick to a pencil and set the pencil wick-side down on top of the jar. Once the candle cools, snip the excess wick off with sharp scissors, leaving a 1/2-inch of wick exposed for easy lighting. Leave the candles to set up overnight, and decorate with a label and a short length of coordinating ribbon for a pretty, simple gift.

Candle Safety

While candles may be fun to make, they can also be very a very dangerous project. Wax melters and double boilers reach temperatures of more than 300 degrees Fahrenheit, enough to cause severe burns and blisters. Always wear protective gloves while melting and pouring wax, and move slowly to avoid splashing wax onto your skin. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby, and make sure you or a trusted adult know how to use it if necessary. Never pour hot wax into cold, damp jars. The difference in temperatures may cause the glass to crack or shatter. To warm up cold jars, set them over a heater duct or in a sunny window for a few minutes before filling with wax. Don’t leave a burning candle unattended; blow out the flame and make sure the fire is completely out before leaving the room.

Visit the following links for more information on making candles:

History of Candles: A brief history of candles from the National Candle Association.

How to Make Candles: Cajun’s Candles basic instructions for making candles.

Candle Making for Beginners: Candlewic’s instructions on making candles.

Candle Making Basics: Basic instructions from Let’s Make Candles.

Basic Candle Instructions: Candle instructions from BitterCreek South Candle and Soap Supply.

Safely Melting Wax: Safety tips from Peak Candle Supplies.

Candle Making Safety Instructions: Stay safe with these guidelines from One Stop Candle.

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