How to Make Candles at Home

Learning How to Make Candles At Home: Fun…and Rewarding, Too

  • Making candles is a hobby that lets you unwind and sooth your senses
  • More than just a hobby – It’s an art form which allows individuality by creation of “signature” designs
  • It’s always a pièce de résistance, or so it seems to the maker
  • Learning how to make candles at home isn’t difficult
  • Remember  – there is no problem with re-melting the candle and starting over from scratch
  • Once your “make candles at home” project is completed and you see the results, you get a tremendous feeling of satisfaction
  • Candle making can be an enjoyable experience for the whole family

Be Careful

Like any hobby there are potential dangers lurking:

  • Take precautions around open flames if you have a gas stove
  • When hot wax is involved, it can be dangerous, do not leave it unattended

Fantastic kits are available on how to make candles at home.  Once you have mastered the basics, the next step is technique.  The technique kit will help you in developing stunning candles!

You, you, you.  At least…in candle making it can be all about you.

  • You…when you choose your perfect candle pattern
  • You…when you add your favorite splash of color
  • You…when you pick the vibrant tinted beads (non-flammable)
  • You…when you design your own stencils
  • And you… when you’re crushing herbs to get that awesome scent that fills the room once you finally light your amazing creation

Required Materials

Before you begin making candles gather a few basic materials:

  • Candle molds – can be bought at any craft shop
  • Paraffin wax – another basic requirement, it can be bought in blocks, granules or flakes…I prefer flakes.
  • Stearin – a material that is combined with the melted wax to make it become opaque, firm and long burning.
  • Votive wicks
  • Silicone spray when using metal molds
  • Double boiler
  • Oven mitts

Note 1: If amount using is 450 grams of wax – proportion wise that will be 3 tablespoons of stearin.
Note 2: If using dyes, in the stearin, dissolve it, then add to melted wax mixture.

Hint 1:  Paraffin wax will burn longer when you add small amounts of beeswax.
Hint 2:  Place aluminum foil on burners to minimize your mess.
Hint 3:  Spread an old rag or newspaper on flat, working area for easy clean up.

Now that you have all this information, get going with your delightful creations and fill your life, your family’s lives and your friends lives too!