My mom loves candles. This year for Hanukka, instead of spending 18 bucks for a candle or two from yankee, I've decided to make her some candles! I ended up spending $12 at Joanne's for enough wax/wicks for ~16 candles. I, however, only made two so that she can decide on her own scent/color combination when I make more.
I had a lot of fun making these, and I know she's going to love them.
UPDATE: I gave them to her tonight (12/6/07) and she really did love them, they're burning now.
I had a lot of fun making these, and I know she's going to love them.
UPDATE: I gave them to her tonight (12/6/07) and she really did love them, they're burning now.
Step 1: Caution
This project does require a few safety/mess preventions.
*Wax is very hard to clean up from counters. In order to help with cleanup, use as few tools as possible, and cover your work space in newspaper. I wish I had done that.
*Wax is flammable, for this reason, it's very important that you don't use any setting higher than medium on your stove, and use a thermometer if possible.
Wax's flash point is 300 degrees F, don't let it's temperature exceed 250 degrees.
*Wax is very hard to clean up from counters. In order to help with cleanup, use as few tools as possible, and cover your work space in newspaper. I wish I had done that.
*Wax is flammable, for this reason, it's very important that you don't use any setting higher than medium on your stove, and use a thermometer if possible.
Wax's flash point is 300 degrees F, don't let it's temperature exceed 250 degrees.
Step 2: What you'll need
- Wax - I got mine from Joanne's, a 4 pound block for something like $14
- Wicks - Got it from Joanne's, too, for $2
- Crayons (If you want your candle colored)
- Scent (I used vanilla extract)
- Olive oil (Optional)
*Double boiler (Or two nesting pots)
*Knife
*Molds (I used a soda can, and a dixie cup)
*Mixing Spoon
Step 3: Preparation
Turn on your double boiler, and if you have a large block of wax like me, rest the wax over the boiler. This way, it will soften, and be easier to cut.
Lay out newspaper over your work space.
Take the wax off, and cut a chunk off, use the double boiler to melt that chunk of wax. I used about half a pound, and there was some wax left over after making my two candles.
As the wax melts, prepare your molds. Both of my molds were disposable and tear able. If you are using something like glass as a mold, rub the inside with oil on a paper towel, this will make it easier to remove the candle.
Lay out newspaper over your work space.
Take the wax off, and cut a chunk off, use the double boiler to melt that chunk of wax. I used about half a pound, and there was some wax left over after making my two candles.
As the wax melts, prepare your molds. Both of my molds were disposable and tear able. If you are using something like glass as a mold, rub the inside with oil on a paper towel, this will make it easier to remove the candle.
Step 4: Additives
Step 5: Wicks
Cut off a piece of wick (cotton string) that's about an inch longer than your candle will be. Dip this into the wax, and then take it out. Use two paper towels, tongs, or anything else to pull the string taught while it dries for the most part...now your wick will be straight. You can put the wicks in the fridge to harden while you finish the candles, if you'd like.
Step 6: Pour the Wax
Use the double boiler to pour wax into each mold, then stick the candles into your fridge. This will speed up the cooling process. Once they are starting to firm up, and the top of the candle looks firm, use a tooth pick to poke into the center of the candle. You'll notice that the inside of the candle is still melted. Position the wick straight up, and so that it touches the bottom. Melt a small piece of wax over the wick's hole to seal it. Leave the candle in the fridge until fully hardened. When they are hardened again, either peel off the mold, or slip out the candle (depending on your mold)
Step 7: Clean up
Wax spills are inevitable. One of the best ways to clean them up is to lay a brown bag over the spill, and use an iron set on high to melt the wax onto the paper bag...voila!
Your tools are going to be a huge pain to clean up. My only suggestions are use few, use hot water, and use a rough brush to scrub it off.
Good luck, and Happy Hanukkah (/Christmas) !
Your tools are going to be a huge pain to clean up. My only suggestions are use few, use hot water, and use a rough brush to scrub it off.
Good luck, and Happy Hanukkah (/Christmas) !
Visit Our Store »
Go Pro Today »
Some thoughts:
- Block of wax was $20 for me. I didn't want to shell out that kind of money in case this was one-time thing, so I bought several wax cubes for $6. I used only ten cubes when making my candle; they melted fine.
- I also didn't have a double boiler, so I used a frying pan. Not sure of the advantages/disadvantages here but it seemed to work ok.
- I used a small container for my candle. It looks much prettier I think.
- You. are. not. kidding. about the tough clean-up. I probably spent more time cleaning wax off my pan than I did making the darn candle. One little tidbit of advice I can offer is that the wax seemed to build-up in some areas, and instead of rubbing harshly I tried to scrape it off from underneath. That seemed to be more efficient.
Thanks for posting this! :)
I would like to use you and your message as an example to many parts of the world of what a paranoid unintelligent american is. Not only will I explain it on this site but will use this comment on nearly 30 other sites where I give an explanation of the unintelligent, small knowledge based anglo saxon. I too am an anglo saxon American, but for some reason I am able to see our enormous shortcomings. Don't worry bob you're not alone, there are many people like you that I use as examples.
If you follow the instructions there is no reason why you would have hot water, wax and pots flying all over the place and (scare tactic) all over your face, down your throat and through your bones. The people who would not follow the instructions (anglo saxon male americans) yes would probably have a mess on their hands, but even they are smart enough to jump out of the way if two pots explode. However these people do not have the ability (such as yourself) to see the benefits of going through this process to make candles. It is something that you can do for fun with others to create a useful tool. So bob please don't go buy candles, but spend the next 36 hours sitting down in a chair with a candle lit and think about why this is a good thing. If you still cant figure it out, there are plenty of good psychologists out there who became psychologists to help people like you.
Lay the wick on something flat, like a flat surface. It dries very quickly and if left undisturbed will not curve on its own.
Maybe just buy the candles.
2. (S)he decided to make the candles so that (s)he wouldn't have to buy them for a fortune. Nice job reading.
Using a potholder or two, pour the wax into your clean votives or whatever you're using as a container. Use whatever method you prefer for setting the wick. I use the pre-tabbed/pre-crimped ones, for ease. I buy them for $5.95/100pcs, and they last me a LONG, LONG time.
I am not a true "candle maker", per se, but I hate wasting all those little ends of candles ... once melted down, I can usually get 3 or 4 more votives ... and that's about $12+ , if you buy the Glade ones.
I use this jar-melt method, and I have NEVER had a spill, or any mess whatsoever. Whatever sticks inside the jar ... well, it'll be melted down into the next batch, the next time I make candles!
Oh! ... I also bought a 73¢ plastic, 3ml pipette (a dropper) at Sally Beauty Supply, and use it for my scents. I keep that JUST for measuring the scented oils, so no muss/no fuss w/ the scented oils, either.
suggenstions?
I also poke a small hole through the bottom of the paper cups, and thread the wick through that (seal it with a bit of wax from another candle).
Example here:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wXJQ74Oav8o/RpwqRy1Gl5I/AAAAAAAAAEc/UhMJH_aUNe8/s640/090720073413.jpg
You said that if you were using a glass as a mould then you should grease it to get it out.
Couldn't you just leave it in there so the glass could be like a candle holder?
http://howtomakescentedpillarfloatingbeeswaxcandles.com/
I get it at Michael's. Yaley Enterprises is the manufacturer, marketer, etc.
Thanks.
There's nothing dangerous about a large block of wax over boiling water. It would take hours, if ever, for the wax to soften to the point of breaking and falling in.
Use candle colorant instead of crayons better results and costs less. No sediment on the bottom of the pot.
I have found that "most" oil based sents(sp!) work in candles. Try Frankincense or Muir... Or both OH so nice. On the oils that come out (evaporate) of the candles to fast I dip the candles in hot wax after unmolding and cooling for a day.
Use tapered molds and after cooling the candles usually just fall out.
OR pop the tools in the large pot of the double boiler and boil a bit. Let cool skim hardened wax off the top and retrieve tools. You will only have a bit of wax at the water line of the pot to clean up. My bamboo scraper and a bit of hot soap and water takes care of that.
I envy the skill you must possess