Candle Making Tips
This article identifies eight problems commonly encountered making candles and provides candle making tips to help you avoid or troubleshoot these difficulties.
Making candles can be great fun. Deciding what type of candle to make and shopping for supplies, for example, are enjoyable for many keen hobbyists.
However, newbie candle makers often stumble into problems that add disappointment and frustration to their learning process. Often they become disillusioned and give up. And that’s a shame, because most of these obstacles have quick and easy to implement solutions. The following candle making tips should help you avoid some of the most common beginner issues.
Candle Making Tips to Prevent Common Problems
1. Start simple. All beginners should start with the simplest candle making process. This gives you the opportunity to learn the basic process and pick up introductory candle making tips as you go.
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You may want to start making rolled beeswax candles…simple, because melting wax is not required.
Or buy some inexpensive soy wax shavings and make natural soy candles (no dye or fragrance required) in small glasses or desert dishes that you may have lying around the house.
Master the basics and when you are ready, move on to making more advanced topics like making beeswax candles, gel candles and candles requiring dyes and fragrances.
2. Quality counts. Another fundamental candle making tip is to use quality products. In general, candle making supplies are inexpensive. But purchasing low quality wax, for example, will never yield quality candles.
3. Use proper heat. Heating the wax to the proper temperature is also very important. The correct temperature depends on the type of candle you are making. In general, if the wax isn’t hot enough, it won’t form correctly. On the other hand, wax that is too hot will lose luster and become brittle once it cools.
4. Solution to smoke. Some candles look beautiful but fill the room with smoke. The problem here is with your wick…it is too long. A good candle making tip is to simply cut your wicks shorter next time. As for the candles you have already created, snipping the wicks to about ½ inch should remedy the situation.
5. Width of your wick. Other candles burn and smell great but develop a large round crater around the wick. Your wick probably isn’t wide enough. You can purchase a wider wick or braid three together to get a good thickness for your next batch of candles. You can’t do anything for candles you have already made, except to remelt the wax and start over. For your candles to burn evenly, remember this rule…the wider the candle jar, the wider the wick.
6. Let them cool. Many beginners don’t allow enough time for their candles to coo. Don’t rush the cooling process or else you will damage the hardness of the candle. Forcing the candle to cool can also result in bubbles forming in the top and middle of the candle. Although these bubbles won’t create physical defects, the melting wax may puddle in these bubbles and extinguish your flame.
Allow candles to cool on a flat surface and away from direct sunlight. Make sure there aren’t any heating or cooling ducts blowing air on the cooling candles. They should not be moved until completely cool. Four hours is normally enough, but letting them cool overnight is always a safe bet.
7. Warm your jars. Sometimes the wax of your cooled candle can pull away from the edges of the glass jar. This is only a visual issue but will make your candles less marketable. Try heating your jars in the microwave for a minute or two immediately before you fill them with hot wax. This should make the wax adhere to the edges of the jar correctly.
8. Give it time. The last of our candle making tips…it will take a few tries to perfect the candle making process and to achieve the candle quality you want, so give it some time. You will have to experiment to find the exact method that works best for your work environment. During the initial learning process, you should only make a few candles at a time to avoid wasting supplies. Make sure each finished product doesn’t have any melting or bubbling issues, when the candle is lit. If it does, simply melt the wax again and try it once more.
Once you have mastered the basics of candle making, you can experiment with different types of candles. The internet is a great place to find candle making tips and solutions to your candle making problems.
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Gel Candle Making
This article lays out 16 easy-to-follow steps for making gel candles and is chock full of gel candle making tips & suggestions that you would normally only learn through experience.
Gel candle making (jelly candles) often appeals to artisan type candle makers. Why’s that? Well, because a gel candle glows when lit, and by adding embedded objects you can create unique glowing scenes that add beauty to your home. How’s that sound, my friend?
Gel candles are also easy to make and burn longer than wax candles. Gel wax is a combination of mineral oil and plastic polymer.
16 Steps of Gel Candle Making
Things you’ll need:
- Several glass candle containers…one for each candle you plan to make.
- Zinc core wick
- Wick tabs and glue
- Gel wax
- Stainless steel or glass pot for melting your gel wax
- Glass measuring cup with spout for pouring your wax
- Liquid dye made for gel candles
- Fragrance oil
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Gel Candle Making without Embedded Objects
Step 1. Pick the right containers for your gel candles. Sundae dishes, mugs and glasses will all work fine. Avoid extremely thin glassware as it may crack at high temperatures. Rule of thumb – if the glassware is dish washer safe, it should be ok for gel candle making.
Most candle makers use transparent glass for gel candle making, but you can also try other non-flammable containers. Make sure the container is large enough so that the wick will be at least 1 1/2 inches away from the sides.
Step 2. Place a small amount of hot glue on the bottom of the container.
Step 3. Press the wick tab onto the hot glue and let it cool. It is best to use a zinc core wick as cotton will absorb the gel and won’t burn as well.
Step 4. Slice the gel wax into small cubes so it will melt faster.
Step 5. Place the gel wax in a stainless steel or glass pot and place it on medium heat. Monitor the temperature using a thermometer.
Step 6. Heat the gel wax to 200 degrees F and maintain that temperature until the gel becomes smooth and syrupy.
Step 7. Add your coloring drop by drop. Use it sparingly…one ounce should be enough for about 100 lbs of gel wax. It is best to use only liquid dyes in gel candle making. Paste dyes and color blocks are normally made from wax and will make your gel cloudy.
Step 8. Start by adding ½ ounce of fragrance oil per pound of gel wax. This can vary due to the density of your gel wax so be mindful of the gel wax manufacturer’s instructions. Avoid using alcohol-based fragrance as they evaporate and leave you with an aroma-less candle.
Step 9. Make sure that the gel mix is not cloudy. If it is, try adding more gel cubes.
Step 10. Important! Record the kinds and amounts of gel wax, dye and fragrance that you use as a reference for making future adjustments.
Step 11. Warm the candle containers to 150 degrees F to minimize bubbling…use your kitchen oven or microwave.
Step 12. Place the warm candle containers on a level pouring surface.
Step 13. Carefully pour the wax into the containers. The objective is to prevent bubbles so pour like you are pouring a beer…down the side of the container. Take note that a high pouring temperature produces fewer bubbles. If you want bubbles for effect, let the gel cool to about 175 degrees F before pouring.
Step 14. Straighten the wick. Make sure that it is on the center of the candle.
Step 15. Allow the candle to set for about four hours.
Step 16. Trim the wick to about ¼ inch.
How to Add Embedded Objects when Making Gel Candles
Step 1. In making gel candles, it is best to use non-flammable objects such as glass beads, marbles, glitter, sand, shells, colored aquarium gravel, crystals, pebbles, polished stones, artificial jewels or pearls and/or metal charms.
Step 2. Dip your embed objects in hot gel before adding them to the candle.
Step 3. Putting some of the objects at the bottom of the container before pouring the gel will help camouflage the wick tab.
Step 4. Pour the gel in layers and add objects as you go. Keep the objects away from the wick if possible. The objects will be more visible if they are placed near the outside of the container.
Tips & Warnings
- Do not let the temperature of the gel wax exceed 225 degrees F. Burned gel will turn yellow or brown and give off a foul odor.
- Avoid spills as much as possible as gel is harder to cleanup than wax.
- Keep spills away from the heating elements of your stove as the smell is horrible and the burned gel will be difficult to remove. You may want to cover your burners with aluminum foil.
- Avoid very narrow containers. Pools of gel sometimes catch fire briefly and may blacken the sides of narrow containers.
Ok, my friend…you should have your hands full for awhile making gel candles. After that, you may want to go a little more au naturale and try, maybe, making soy candles.
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This video provides a quick gel candle making demonstration. Have a look…
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Make Your Own Candles
In this article, you will learn about equipment required to make your own candles. I also offer tips on where and how to source that equipment without breaking the bank.
Have you ever wanted to make your own candles as a hobby? Candle making is not only a fulfilling hobby, but also one that does not necessarily require you to spend a lot for start-up.
This means you can start as soon as you buy the most basic materials… namely, wax and wicks. If you want you want to learn how to make scented candles or candles in a variety of colors, add fragrances and dyes to your list. These start-up materials can be found both online and at your local craft shop.
Equipment Required to Make Your Own Candles
In time, you may want to go one step further and buy more advanced candle making equipment. But for beginners, here’s the equipment you will need to make your own candles:
Heat Source:
If your goal is to start a candle making venture and produce lots and lots of candles, you may have to buy a commercial grade wax melter that could cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. But for a humble start, the best option for a heating source would be your good ole’ kitchen stove.
In fact, your kitchen alone offers a lot of other great advantages for candle making. Aside from the stove, the kitchen usually has a good lighting, running water, ample counter-space, and convenient electric outlets. You can save a lot of money by using what you already have.
Keep in mind though that you will have to move your stuff come dinner time. But if you do not want to disturb dinner, you may have to setup somewhere else using an affordable hot plate or a modified Presto Pot.
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How to Make Your Own Candles
Double Boiler:
Safety is the main reason why a double boiler is the ideal tool for melting wax. There are types of candle wax that catches fire easily once the temperature exceeds 212 F (100 C). So use a double boiler for a slow and even heating process. Also, make sure there is a thermometer at hand.
A double boiler is simply two pots that fit one-inside-the-other, often used to create mustards and chocolate sauces. For candle making, use the lower pot to boil water and provide indirect heat to the upper pot which contains the candle wax.
Double boilers specifically made for candle making are sold in stores. But if your budget is tight, you can improvise your very own double boiler by using your own pots and pans at home. Or, go to Target or Walmart and buy an aluminum or stainless steel pot and a $5 large Pyrex measuring cup.
Thermometer:
As already mentioned, a good thermometer is required to make your own candles. A standard candy thermometer will do the trick. They are available for $10 at your local Target or Walmart. When buying a thermometer, make sure that it has a temperature reading range between 100 F (38 C) and 212 F (100 C).
Some websites say that a thermometer is not necessary in candle making. This is a fallacy. It is important that you know the temperature to avoid burning your wax, and so you know when to pour it. Keep in mind that not all wax has the same optimal pour temperature.
A thermometer allows you to create special effects because you are able to control the pouring temperature. This is especially true when using gel to make your own candles. If you want to avoid bubbles in your candles, pour your gel as it reaches its optimal pouring temperature, which is 200 F.
In fact, bubbles aren’t always a bad thing. Have you ever seen classy looking champagne glass candles or those cool seascape gel candles? Yup, they all have bubbles.
If you want bubbles in your candles for design purposes, just let the gel cool below 200 F before pouring.
Some other helpful tools and materials:
If you want to make your own candles, the following items will also be helpful.
* Craft Scissors
* Paring Knife
* Kitchen or Postal Scales
* Dipping Can
* Baking Pan
* Water Bath Container
* Measuring Cup
* Measuring Spoon
* Mold Release Spray
* Glue Gun or Glue Tabs
* Wick Holders
* Tape measure
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Keep a Candle Making Journal:
Throughout your candle making career, you will always be refining your formulations and techniques in search of perfection. It always helps to keep careful records so you can refer back to them instead of relying on your memory.
Here’s a quick video about keeping a candle making journal:
Candle Making Books
This article provides guidance on how to find a candle making reference book that is right for you. I will also identify a handful of candle making books that you may want to consider buying.
Candle making is a favorite of many hobbyists. People turn to hobbies for fun and relaxation…and candle making is no different. Candle makers often start out slow, but when the bug bites, there is often no way to hold them back.
Candle making books can be a wonderful way to expand your candle making horizons. It’s all there…everything from basic recipes and candle making tips to the latest decorating techniques and en vogue designs to stimulate your creativity. Candle making books are also an abundant source of illustrations and step by step instructions.
Select Candle Making Books
Based on Your Experience Level
Choose a book based on your level of experience making candles. Also consider what types of candles you are interested in making before buying a book. You may want to shop around a bit. Why not visit a local library and check out their selection of candle making books before deciding to buy?
Internet sites such as Ebay and Amazon offer second hand candle making books at affordable prices.
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With its easy to understand information and instructions, “The Candle Maker’s Companion” by Betty Oppenheimer and Deborah Balmuth is ideal for beginners and advanced makers alike. You may also want to check out “The Encyclopedia of Candle Making Techniques,” which provides quality content easily understood by beginners.
“The Complete Candle Maker – Techniques, Projects and Inspirations” is a perfect reference for those with a basic knowledge of candle making. It features photos of over 40 different candle designs and contains step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow. The book also provides tips and pointers to help candle makers avoid common mistakes.
Special occasion candle makers should take a look at “Creative Candles: Over 40 Inspiring Projects for Making and Decorating Candles for Every Occasion” by Sue Spear. The book contains candle ideas for birthdays and weddings, as well as Halloween, Easter and Christmas.
Those who want to encourage their kids to engage in candle making should have a look at “Great Candles.” Featured in this book are easy-to-make candles that you and your children will have fun doing together. The book offers simple instructions that children enjoy reading.
You may also want to search the internet for other quality candle making books.
Candle making is a fun and productive activity that many hobbyists have parlayed into a profitable business. You can fill your head with the required knowledge and expertise by exploring candle making books. There are candle books written for all levels of expertise and types of candles.
A wide variety of candle making books is available in the market so finding what you need should not be difficult. Virtually any candle making reference material can be found online. And don’t forget to check libraries, local book fairs and yard sales.
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Making Soy Candles
In this article, I will explain the many benefits of making candles with soy wax and provide several tips on getting started making soy candles.
Candle making is quite a popular hobby. Although candles are most often made from paraffin or beeswax, making soy candles has become quite trendy.
Today’s Eco-Friendly Hobbyist is Making Soy Candles
Paraffin wax is cheap, but because it is a petroleum derivative, it leaves a carbon footprint. Beeswax, on the other hand, is natural and eco-friendly, and it smells almost heavenly. The only downside to beeswax is that it can be pretty expensive.
A cheap, environment friendly alternative to paraffin and beeswax is soy candles. They are made with 100% natural soy wax, so they have a nice natural scent, even without fragrance additives. Soy candle making experts can also mix the soy in various ways to create different scents…and make the scents fainter or stronger.
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Some soy candles are made with wicks, some are not. Those with wicks are used just like regular candles and those without are used with electric candle warmers. The electric version produces no flame making it safer than wicked candles. Flameless candles are ideal for dorms, offices, and everywhere else where there is a chance of something catching fire from the candle’s flame. Actually, burning candles has been banned in many apartments and offices for this reason, but flameless candles are usually permitted.
Many candle makers who have tried soy candle making are quite pleased. Aside from the nice, natural smell of the wax, soy wax also has a very smooth and glossy texture. Additives that are usually added to paraffin and beeswax for hardness and gloss are normally not necessary with soy wax.
Soy wax also costs a lot less than other natural waxes. And there is no need to buy additives or scents. Soy wax melts at lower temperatures…further reducing production costs. Soy wax is ideal for people who want to get into candle making but are on a tight budget. Commercial candle makers like soy wax because of higher profit margins.
If you want to learn candle making, why not start with making soy candles? You can get a soy candle kit online for around $20. The kit should include jars and lids, and enough supplies to make about five candles.
The aroma of a burning candle is something to be enjoyed, but many people find the smoke annoying. This is particularly true with people who have respiratory problems or allergies. They are often not able to take pleasure in using candles. But with soy wax, this can change. Since soy wax is all natural, it doesn’t give off smoke or irritants.
Making soy candles is a fun craft that can be enjoyed as a hobby and also as a business. Soy wax may not be as popular as paraffin or beeswax, but it works just as well. Why not give it a try so that you can appreciate its affordability and eco-friendliness? Although not available in most craft stores, you can purchase soy wax online with a few clicks of your mouse.
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How to Make Beeswax Candles
Well you’ve seen the “how to make beeswax candles” video…now, I will put what you’ve seen into words. Some folks learn best from seeing it happen; others prefer to have things in writing. You now have two options for learning how to make beeswax candles.
Making beeswax candles is probably to simplest and least inexpensive way to introduce yourself and/or your kids to candle making. For rolled beeswax candles, you need only a sheet of beeswax and a wick. It is not necessary to melt wax, so is perfectly safe for young children.
Beeswax sheets are available in a variety of colors and can be purchased online or from your favorite craft shop for about $35 for 20 sheets.
We humans have been using beeswax to make candles for hundreds of years. Beeswax candles are clean burning and they give off a warm glow and a sweet, almost honey like aroma.
As you’ve seen in the video, you can make these candles in a variety of sizes and shapes depending on the number of sheets you use and how you cut them. A standard beeswax sheet is 16″ x 8″. So, you can make candles that are up to 16 inches in height.
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Beeswax Candles Supplies
For this project, you’ll need:
* beeswax sheets
* wicks; cut your wick to the length of the candle you are going to make…plus about 3/4 of an inch
* a large cutting board
* a ruler
* a sharp knife
Prime the Candle Wicks
Your candles will burn better if you prime the wicks…which simply means melting a few scraps of beeswax sheet and dipping in your wicks.
The wicks will bubble and sizzle. Stir them until they stop bubbling. It’ll take 1-2 minutes. Then, pull the wicks out and place them on a piece of wax paper. When they have cooled, you’re ready to make your candle.
Roll the Beeswax Candle
Lay the wick along one edge of the sheet of beeswax and press the wick gently into the wax. Gently roll the wax over the wick. Continue rolling the wax keeping it straight and fairly tightly rolled. When you get to the end of the sheet, press the last edge gently into the candle to hide the seem.
How to Make Beeswax Candles that are Unique
For a shorter candle, just cut a sheet in half lengthwise. For a skinnier candle, trim the sheet vertically. For a tapered candle, cut the sheet on a diagonal before you set the wick.
*For a full taper (top to bottom) cut diagonally from opposite end corners.
*For a “pencil top” taper (only the top is tapered) cut diagonally from even points further in towards the middle of the sheet.
Use one half of the sheet you have cut or lay two halves on top of each other to make a double taper…or even a triple taper with three pieces.
Be creative! Try cutting your sheets in ways to make your own unique designs. Use cookie cutters or cut out free-hand shapes to create your own candle shapes. Experiment and have fun as you’re learning how to make beeswax candles.
You can also use two different colors of wax sheets at the same time.
There are literally dozens of different options for rolling beeswax sheets to make candles. Different shapes, different sizes, different colors. But even with all of the options, many people prefer the natural color rolled without taper. Whatever you prefer, I hope you have fun learning how to make beeswax candles.
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Learn Candle Making
In this article, I will talk about 6 ways to learn candle making and highlight the pros and cons of each. Whether you want to look before you leap or immediately jump in with both feet, I think you’ll find something here for you.
If you are looking for a fun and creative hobby, then candle making is worth your attention. It is a fairly easy craft to learn and there are extra benefits that come with it. One great thing…if you learn candle making, you’ll be able to sell the beautiful candles that you’ve made at craft fairs or gift shops. Yes, that’s right…aside from creating skillfully designed candles to decorate your home, you can also make extra cash from this fulfilling hobby.
Want to Learn Candle Making?
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Many Ways to Learn Candle Making
If you want to learn how to make candles, you need to familiarize yourself with the several methods of candle making and choose the one that works best for you. Here are some ways to learn candle making:
Enroll in a candle making class
Signing up for a candle making class is the best option if you are hesitant to invest in all of the supplies and equipment at once. There are several classes to choose from and you will surely find the type of candle making that interests you. Finding a candle making class is quite easy. You can visit a local craft store and ask if they offer craft classes, or use the Internet to find available classes near you.
Learn from the comfort of your home via online candle making classes
If you are too busy to travel to classes, you can always do it online. There are several websites that offer candle making lessons for people who want to learn while at home. It may not be as effective as hands-on classes, but it can be a great option for stay-at-home moms and other busy individuals. Simply Google “learn candle making” or “online candle making classes” and you will find many options.
Here’s an example of online learning for candle making:
Learn candle making through research
The Internet is full of information with regards to candle making. You can search the web for demonstration videos, candle instructions, ideas for projects and basic information before diving in. There is no limit to what you can find online.
Learn from instructional books
There are several books about the art of candle making sold in the market today. You can check your local bookstore or library to find the latest titles. If that is not feasible, look online for candle making books. Make sure that you read the book thoroughly before starting with your new hobby. It is also important to go over the safety information and the instructions for different projects so you will know what to expect once you get started.
Purchase a candle making kit
If you want to dive in and express your creativity right away, a candle making kit is an ideal option. The kit will normally contain everything you need for a particular project…including instructions. Candle kits are an affordable way to learn candle making.
Ask a candle maker for a lesson
A local gift shop that sells candles usually has a candle maker. You may want to contact the candle maker from the shop and ask if they are willing to teach you the craft. More likely than not, they will be more than willing.
Keep in mind that there are several types of candles such as rolled beeswax candles, votive candles, gels or pillars. And there are several ways of making them as well. Chances are you will find the one that suits your creative skills.
The Best Way to Learn Candle Making?
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