Making your own candles is simple, cheap and fun. They also make great gifts, especially for Christmas. You can colour them how you like and you can also create your own scents. In this instructable I will show you how easy it is to do.

Step 1: Things You Will Need

To make your own candles you do not need anything particularly special or expensive.

Wax - I have used Soy Wax, its soot free, non toxic and eco friendly (compared to paraffin wax)
Wax crayons - these are used to colour the candle
Wicks
Wick sticky dots - to secure the wick to the bottom of the jar
Measuring Jug
Wooden Spoon
Essential Oils - for scent
Jars
Saucepan with water

Step 2: Measuring Out the Wax

To prevent wastage it is important to measure out the wax. I did some research to find out what works best and found that you aim for 50 grams less than the amount of fluid the container holds.

The jars I have used hold 200ml of liquid. This equates to 200g of solid. So 200g - 50g = 150g.

I measured out 150g of the soy wax using my scales (these are not our cooking ones, rather the ones we use for this kind of thing). This 'formula' will work for any sized jar or container.

Once the wax is measured pour it carefully into the measuring jug.

Adding Colour

Adding colour to your candle will make it look much more appealing. To achieve a good even colour I used wax crayons. The more of the crayon you use the deeper the colour, the less you use the lighter the colour. In these candles I used about half the crayons chopped up.

Step 3: Melting the Wax

To melt the wax you use the same technique as you would melting chocolate. This is done by using a Bain Marie.

You will need to bring a saucepan of water to the boil, then turn it down to a simmer. Place the measuring jug into the saucepan and stir continuously until all the wax is melted.

Step 4: Adding Your Scents

If you chose to add a smell to your candle you will need to use essential oils. The great thing about these oils is that you can mix them in any way you want. Or, like me, you can just use one fragrance. There are loads of resources online that will explain the benefits of each oil.

I used Tangerine essential oil in this candle. It has a nice uplifting Christmasy scent. I added around 20 drops as i wanted a slightly more intense scent. These is all personal taste so if you want a lighter one, add less.

Step 5: Prep Your Jars

While your wax is melting it will give you enough time to prep your jars ready for the wax.

I used double sided dots to secure the wick to the bottom of the jar. These don't seem to hold that well but it is enough to hold it in place when you pour the wax in. You will see in the next step that I used a drinking straw to keep it in pace.

Step 6: Pouring the Wax

To pour the wax you will need to carefully lift the measuring jug out of the saucepan and pour it into the jars. I was using a glass jug which got pretty hot, but with a bit of kitchen towel it was easy to lift and pour.

Once you have poured the wax into your jars you will need to set them aside to cool down for a coupe of hours. It is best to let them cool at room temperature. This will prevent cracks forming.

Step 7: Trim the Wick and Enjoy

Once the candle has totally cooled down and set, the final step in this process is to trim the wick down which can be done with scissors.

Add the lids and you're done.

I will be giving these out as presents at Christmas but before I do I will add some festive ribbon and maybe some holly.

Introduction: How to Make Your Own Candles