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Candles are a great way add ambiance into a room. To get started, all you’ll need is wax, a candle vessel, a wick, and any fragrance/color you want.
Decide on Materials
Paraffin wax
Pros: Cost effective, easily colored, excellent hot and cold scent throw.
Cons: Not a clean burning wax, can be a two-pour wax
Soy wax
Pros: natural wax made from soybeans, eco-friendly, renewable, burns slowly
Cons: Scent throw isn’t as impressive as paraffin wax, more expensive than paraffin.
Beeswax
Pros: All natural, possesses air purifying qualities
Cons: Scent throw isn’t as impressive as paraffin, not all coloring or scent will work well with beeswax.
Coconut Apricot Wax:
Pros: considered vegan as it contains natural wax and a small amount of highly refined food grade paraffin, excellent glass adhesion.
Cons: scent throw is good but not as impressive as paraffin.
Protect your workspace with wax paper
Anything you are not able to clean immediately can be removed with very hot water and a little elbow grease and soap.
Cut your wax down to size so you can weight how much you need for your project
Using smaller pieces also ensures that the wax melts evenly.
Select your Vessel and your wick
Once you have selected your vessel (or container), decide on whether this will be a single or a multi-wick candle. Consult the Guide to wicking for the appropriate wick size. Place a wick sticker on the end of the wick tab (this can also be done with a dot of glue using a glue gun) and affix to the bottom of your vessel. Wick centering devices can be purchased if you find it too difficult to center on your own.
Use a double boiler
You cannot put candle wax directly on heat. It can cause a fire or evaporate. Turn the heat to high so that the water boils. The boiling water will melt the wax slowly and evenly. Be sure to use a pot specifically for candle making as candle making can be a messy project.
Use a thermometer to know when you must pour the wax.
You can use a candy thermometer. Read manufacturer instructions. They have gone to the trouble to test their product, and know their respective melt points, and optimal pour temperatures. Do not forget to read, read, read.
Remove your melted wax from the heat and add scent
Read the manufacturer’s directions to find out how much scent your wax can safely hold without becoming a fire hazard. If you want less than the maximum amount of scent, just add to taste. Stir slowly and evenly through out the wax for two minutes. Try to eliminate any bubbles you may see.
Add color
Do not use food coloring. You will need specific dye or wax chips that are made for the brand of wax you want to use. Stir well and avoid bubbles.
Pour the melted wax into your chosen vessel
Keep a steady hand and pour slowly as to not splash wax on the side of your vessel and then allow the wax to cool.
Cooling
Once candles are almost completely set, feel free to add any enhancements that you feel may make your candle look and/or smell special. Enhancements such as clear quartz chips, yellow citrine chips, opal mini chips, lavender buds, amethyst chips and rose quartz chips are available for purchase.
Trim the wick down
Once your candle is completely set trim your wick down to ¼ inch (0.64 centimeters). Feel free to hit your candle for a few seconds with a heat gun to secure any enhancements you have added to your candle and to clean up the sides of your glad if you have any splash marks. Most manufacturer recommendation will ensure that your wax is a one-pour experience, but in the case of paraffin specifically you may need to top of your candle with some wax to make for a nice even top.
If you would like to watch some tips and tricks to avoid air bubbles and wet spots in your candle making please follow the link below: