Making colorful scented candles

Candles are lit in almost every occasion and ritual. Even when there is no special occasion, a candle can be seen as a decoration or simply as an emergency lighting. There are so many types of candles available today; they come in various designs, sizes and colors. From the simple dipped candles to the most elaborate designers candles that are scented and come in intricate shapes, the variety can be overwhelming that you won’t know what to choose when you go to a candle shop.

There are many websites that can guide you on how to make different kinds of candles. For the beginner, it is fairly easy to get started. I started my own candle-making hobby by checking on the various websites and getting some tips from candle supplies stores where I got my supplies. The most useful tips I got came from the sales staff in the candle supplies shops. They taught me what type of wax to use, what type of wick is best for a specific wax and how to combine colors and scents. These shops also has so many molds to choose from.

These are some basic materials that you need to begin your project:

• A heat source like a hot plate or electric stove
• A low pot for candle wax melting pot
• Wax for the type of candle you want to make
• A wick appropriate for the wax
• Metal wick tabs to hold the wick
• A mold or container to hold the melted wax. This can be a can or metal container that will not melt as the wax can be very hot.
• Petroleum jelly  and cotton to coat the mold or can
• Fragrance and color dye for the candle

 

Also, make sure to have the following around: pot holders, newspaper or scrap paper to cover work surfaces, sticks to straighten the wick, and another thick stick or chopstick to stir the wax.

Cover your work table with scrap paper or newspaper to catch the spills. To prepare the mold or can, dip the cotton in the petroleum jelly and wipe the inside of the mold. The petroleum jelly will make it easier to slip the finished candle out from the mold.

To prepare the wick, insert it in the hole of the metal wick tab and tie a knot at the other end. Place the metal wick tab at the bottom of the mold or can, and tie the upper end of the wick to a stick, adjusting the wick length as needed to keep it straight.

Put wax on the melting pot and place the pot on the stove or heating plate. Make sure to set it at low heat. When the wax starts to melt, stir occasionally until the wax is fully melted to liquid form. Turn off the stove and continue to stir. Put the color dye and stir. Add a few drops of fragrance according to desired scent.

Slowly pour the liquid wax to the mold or container keeping the wick at the center. Let it cool by soaking the mold on a basin with cold water. When the wax hardens and there’s a gap or hole at the center of the candle, melt the leftover wax and pour some melted wax to fill the gap. Leave for a few hours then remove the candle by sliding it down from the mold. You can tie a ribbon around it to decorate the candle. Cut the wick to about half an inch before lighting.