Learn How to Make Your Own Candles
Many people over the years have enjoyed making candles. But what has become a creative hobby, and an escape from the everyday troubles of life, was once a way of life. If you have wondered how to make your own candles, chances are you have never considered that this pleasure of today was the way many men, women, and children once made their living. While most of us do not often think back to those times when light switches were merely a dream, that time did exist. And it’s for this very reason that many families were able to make it by creating the only light source of the time: candles. By learning how to make your own candles, you are in essence honoring those that first mastered the art.
How To Make Your Own Candles
Start by ensuring you have all the proper supplies. Wax is of course your number one ingredient. Also you will need wicks, molds, and any fragrances or color dye that you wish to use. All of this can be purchased from local craft stores, or countless online supply stores. Molds can come in several types. Ideally you should purchase inexpensive plastic molds if you are just learning how to make your own candles. It is a safe idea to purchase inexpensive waxes and fragrances as well until you feel you are fluent, enough, at candle making to justify the more expensive materials. You can always upgrade later to more advanced (and expensive) candle making equipment once you have got the basics down and have a fairly good understanding of how to make your own candles.
A double boiler is the standard equipment typically used for melting most candle wax types. If you do not have one you can easily substitute with 2 pots: a large one you’ll fill with water, and a smaller one to place into the larger pot. Your wax must first be melted in the double boiler. You will want to melt the wax to somewhere between 150 – 170 degrees assuming you are starting off with basic paraffin wax. Paraffin wax, the most common candle wax melts faster than some of the specialty waxes like soybean wax (soy wax), palm wax, and beeswax.
When the wax is fully melted you will then need to remove it from the heat and add any additives, fragrance oil, and color dye. Make sure that this is well incorporated into the wax and pour it into a prepared mold with wick inserted. The wax will need to cool for around 5 hours depending on the type used. Placing it in the freezer can accelerate this process. Once it has sufficiently cooled it can then be removed from the mold, and voila! You now have your first candle.
These are the basic steps required for candle making.
If you would like to learn more about how to make your own candles and all the tips and tricks that can save you time, frustration, and money, there is a good step by step free email course that covers all the ins and outs of this popular craft available at http://candle-making-at-home.com/
Article written by,
Sarah Johnstan
Passionate Chandler
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