Oil candles are such a lovely accent to any home, but they are expensive.  It can add up quickly when you are trying to add such candles to your decor.  You might want to think of actually doing some oil candle making on your own.  Not only will you find that it is actually more affordable, but you will also create a more substantial sense of ownership and pride into your home accessories.

This type of candle making may sound like it is difficult, but it is actually rather easy for a layperson to master.  In fact, oil candle making can really be pretty fun because you can add your own personalized decorations to them to really incorporate them into your design scheme.  To get started with your oil candle making you will need to begin by getting your candle making supplies.

The supplies that you need for oil candle making are really pretty easy to find.  Your local craft store is an exceptional resource to get these supplies at.  The next time you go shopping you will need to pick up a container for your candle, a funnel, liquid paraffin oil, a wick, a thermal glass wick tube, an adapter adjustment ring, and any other decorations that you might want to incorporate into your candle making.

Once you have your supplies you can begin your oil candle making experience.  You need to fill your container with the liquid paraffin oil that you have purchased.  Make sure that you leave room for the wick to stick up above the paraffin.  Then you need to add in any decorative accents that you would like to see as part of our oil candle.  From there you need to insert the wick into the glass wick tube.  Be sure that you leave at least a quarter of an inch of the wick above the glass wick holder. Then you may insert this into the container along with the adapter ring.

Let the entire candle rest for 5-10 minutes so that the oil can saturate the wick.  After that your candle is ready to go!

An important part of candle making is to allow yourself to be creative.  Have fun playing with the different decorations and colors that you choose with your oil candle making.  Try to think of things that will help to incorporate the candle into your decor like flowers, charms, or glitter.  It is these small details that will set your home made candles apart from generic store bought candles.  Instead, with oil candle making you will be able to create gorgeous and unique pieces to use in your home or to give as gifts.

Historically, candles were made with different types of fats, oils and waxes. Those can originate from animals, insects and even plants (bayberry wax). Nowadays the principal source of candle wax is paraffin extracted from petroleum. Still the exceptional qualities of beeswax, its uniqueness in color and scent, makes it a lasting and well-known source of candle-making. When lit a beeswax candle burns with a smokeless bright light and gives off a sweet wonderful odor. Beeswax also has a high melting point resulting in the fact that beeswax candles do not bend in very hot weather.

There are currently three main methods for making beeswax candles:

Poured candles are made by pouring molten wax into molds.

Dipped candles are made by repeatedly dipping a wick into the molten wax.

Rolled candles are prepared by rolling a sheet of beeswax tightly around a wick.

It is important to mention that a specific wick for making beeswax candles has to be selected as it is different from a paraffin candle wick. A so called square wick usually works best. Generally a wick that is double as thick as one for paraffin candle will do.

Experiment however by making a test candle before the larger batch or you can buy specific beeswax wicks from candle supply stores. Wicks for rolled, poured of dipped candles must be primed by pre-waxing them. This is simply done by immersing the wicking into molten beeswax (at 160 F – 70°C) and stirring with a wooden stick until no more air bubbles rise. Remove the wicks from the molten wax and hang them up until cool and dry or spread them onto waxed paper.

Where can you get beeswax? Beside the candle supply shops you can obtain beeswax from beekeepers in your locality!. So a good idea is to look for local beekeepers or for bee or honey supply shops. Wax cappings are a side product from honey production and they produce the best and the lightest colored wax.

Sometimes you will need to clean the wax before making it into candles. Put the pieces of beeswax into an old pan placed into a second pan of water. This is called a double boiler. Never heat wax over a direct flame, always do it over water. That’s because wax is flammable.

So it is also recommended to melt the wax on an electric stove instead of a open flame gas stove. Strain your wax through a piece of cheesecloth to make sure all small debris are filtered out. This will make your candles burn cleaner when all the fine impurities are removed.

Be careful you avoid any water in the wax as this makes your candles sputter. Once your wax is clean, it is ready for the molds.

Heat the wax to a maximum of 185F (85°C). Too hot a temperature will affect the color of the wax. It is better to start at 140F (60C) and increase the temperature slowly. Pour the molten wax into the molds, that have been pre-warmed. Allow it to set a little. Fill the shrinkage holes with more hot wax. Use a toothpick to tear open the wax skin so you can estimate the size of the hole. Repeat this as often as necessary.

The prying open will prevent the candle to bend out of shape. Making beeswax candles requires a patient, slow cooling so that the mass will not fracture or distort. You can further slow the cooling process by immersing the mold carefully in warm water of isolate it by wrapping it in layers of newspaper. Put everything in an area free of drafts and let it cool slowly. When the mold and the wax are both cold to the touch you can start the un-molding.

It is preferable if possible to wait a whole day before the un-molding. Especially for large candles and metal molds, this overnight cooling period is recommended. To release a sticking candle from a metal mold cool it further in a freezer for about 15 minutes. With a sharp tap you should be able to release the stubborn candle. Let your freshly made candles air dry for a further 24 hours then wrap them in some tissue to keep them safe. A white “bloom” can develop over time on the wax and is reminiscent of the whitish coating on chocolate. It is however a natural process in all waxes and is easily wiped off with a tissue or cloth.

In this article, we will show you how easy and fun it is to make your own soy wax candles. People love them because they are handcrafted, personal, and cheap. The best part, though, is that you can sell your candles and start a fun and profitable full time business.

It takes a lot of special equipment and you can do it right in your home.

Soy candles have become very popular these days. People were always drawn to the flame and wonderful fragrance provided by the soy wax candles.

Here are the supplies you need: soy wax, wick, molds, fragrance oil, thermometer, and dye chips.

Purchasing supplies does not cost a lot if you consider that with what you would pay for making 2 or 3 candles, you can make 20 of your own. You can also add any container fragrance or color combination you want.

First thing you need to do is get the soy wax melted. In a short while it will melt completely and become liquid. You will want to heat it up at 185 degrees Fahrenheit (85° C). Now, add the dye and stir it up. Remove the pitcher from the heat and add the fragrance.

You are almost ready to pour the soy wax into the molds. This is a very important step that ensures the soy wax candle’s success. Reduce the temperature of the soy wax to somewhere between 150-160 degrees F (65° – 71° C). Use the thermometer to verify the temperature.

The next step is preparing the mold. You should warm them up a little. The best thing you could do is put them into the oven for 10-15 min before you use them. If your soy wax temperature is around 150 degrees F (65° C), you are ready to pour it into the molds.

Fill each mold with soy wax all the way to the top. If you are using a pour pot, it works better if you slightly heat it up. This prevents the wax from hardening in a cold pour pot.

After we let the soy wax cool (we do not recommend a water bath or any other type of fast cooling process because it could damage your soy wax candles) and a thin skin has formed on top of your soy wax candle, it is time to insert the wick.

Push the wick into the candle until it reaches the bottom of the mold. This should be done quickly so that the skin does not get too thick.

From my point of view, now comes the hardest part of the soy wax candle making process. You must wait.

Avoid touching, moving, and examining the candles for the next 5 hours. If you followed this little guide step by step, in about 5 hours you should have yourself a perfect soy candle. When the soy wax candle is ready, you should be able to hold it by the tip of the wick and carefully pull it out of the mold.

Congratulations, you have just made a soy candle! Your friends and family will be impressed, and I am sure they will want one of your candles.

Gel candles are made from 5% polymer resin and 95% mineral oil .The resin used begins in powder form and solidifies when it is exposed to mineral oil. The gel wax can come in a high density that gives you the ability to suspend dense pigments like glitter or others (non-flammable).

In addition, low-density gel is not thick enough to support embeds. The only drawback here is that the denser the gel is, the longer it will take to set and pour.

Gel candles make a beautiful gift for friends, family, or to you. Gel candles can add a touch of elegance to your home decor. They come in many different shapes, sizes, and scents. Gel candles can be found in fruit jars with labels or gift tags, in fancy glass bowls, wine glasses, and mugs .You can even dress up your gel candle jars with ceramic, shades to make them look like a miniature lamp. Many times gel candles come decorated with miniature shapes embedded within them. Wide varieties of scents are available also, from lemon to roses.

We will show you now how to make your own gel candle. When making gel candles, the procedures followed are the same as those used in making wax candles. The same steps are involved, like melting and pouring into the mold etc. However, the method and equipment needed for making gel candles are different than wax.

You will need gel, container (a glass one will work better), zinc wicks (don’t use cotton wicks because they absorb to much gel), fragrance oil, and liquid color dye.

Start by placing some hot glue in the center of the container bottom. Then stick the wick in it and let the glue set. Cut the gel into small pieces so the melting process works faster. Melt it in a stainless steel pot at medium heat. You should get the temperature at about 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93° Celsius) and you should use a thermometer because overheated gel looses clarity. Maintain the 200 degrees F (93° C) temperature and all the gel should melt nicely.

Now it is about time to add the color dye and fragrance to the melted gel, a little bit at a time until you get the desire colored and fragrance. You can always add more dye to make the color stronger but you cannot take the dye, so be careful not to drop too much.

Now you should heat the container in an oven to 150-160 degrees F (65° – 71° C). This will reduce the appearance of bubbles. It is time to pour the gel into the container. Do this very slowly and carefully. Pull the wick up. Roll it on a stick to keep it straight. Let the candle cool. Trim the wick and you are done.

Fun accessories can be added for your gel candle including glitter, sand, and labels. Sand creates a nice base candle. Glitter makes an otherwise boring candle sparkle beautiful. Labels can add a homemade touch to your candle

One of the benefits of a gel candle is that gel takes longer to burn as compared to wax candles. This means that your gift will last longer. Gel candle making is not only fun, it is easy and can be learned and mastered quickly.

Items you need: wax, wick, scent, a double boiler, and candle mold. Have all these items ready and together. Cover your work area with some newspapers so that clean up will be easier.

Now put the wax into your container and then place it in a pan of water to act like a double boiler. Place the pan of water on the stove at medium heat. Remember not to let the water boil too hard because it could reach the wax.

As the wax melts, it is time to prepare your mold. Make sure it is clean.

After the wax has completely melted, place the thermometer into the container so that it does not touch the bottom or the sides. When the wax has reached 80º C (176° F), it is ready to pour.

Now add the color chips in small pieces at a time to ensure your wax will have the color you desire. You can always add more if you choose but if you have a too dark color for your liking; it is very difficult to add more wax to tone down the shade.

At last, it is time to add the desired scent. About half a teaspoon of the scent will work fine; if to much scent is added be aware that your candle may not burn properly.

After adding the scent, stir very well and then pour the scented, colored wax into your mold. Now carefully lift the wax container from the water and dry the outside with a clean cloth. This will keep the water from reaching into your candle. Slowly pour the wax into the mold until you have reached the proper height. Return the wax to the water and keep hot until the candle is done.

As it sets, the wax will start shrinking. You will need to add more liquid wax. First, use a skewer to poke the candle, inserting it into the candle as it cools. Do not touch the sides or the bottom of you mold. This will add air into the candle, which help keep its shape when removing it from the mold. Then pour more liquid wax from the pan into the hole that has been created from the skewer.

When completely cooled, at about four or five hours, you can remove it from the mold. If the candle sticks to its mold, place it in the refrigerator for an hour; this will help shrink the wax. Do not put it in a freezer, as this will crack the candle.

If you want this process to work faster you should place the poured candle into a cold “bath”. This is rather necessary for many kinds of wax. Using cold water, place the mold into the sink. The water level must be higher than the candle level. This will keep your candle free from the water line when it is finished.

Inserting the wick is relatively simple. If you do though, have problem applying it, after the removal of the skewer, you should wax the wick by dipping it into the liquid wax, letting it harden before placing it into the finished candle. Let the candle cool for a couple of hours and you are done. You have managed to make your personal scent candle to enjoy or give as a gift.

The obvious approach here to your own candle business is to retail your candles. A common start into retailing is selling candles at craft shows. Others have their own websites set up with an online store. You could even only sell to friends and family on the holidays and for special events and limiting your home business to word of mouth trade and special orders.

Some candle makers sell their candles wholesale to other retailers. An important thing to keep in mind here is the wholesale pricing. Your wholesale price will typically be about 50% or less than your retail price.  Make sure you are still making a profit by knowing exactly what your costs are for making each candle. Also make sure you have the production capability required to fulfill the order on schedule.

There are other ways to create a successful candle business and retailing and wholesale are only two ways possible. Another possibility is selling on consignment. You place your candles in an established business. They sell your candles in return for a percentage. If the store is selling a large number of candles, this can turn out a lucrative arrangement.  Make sure to do your own homework: competitive products in the store, people traffic in the store, price of consignment space, etc.

Another option is joining a fundraising program. You find an organization (school, church, charitable organization, etc.) that raises money. They sell your candles for you for a portion of the profit. The percentage of the discount varies usually between 20-50% below the normal retail price. Candles can be an attractive alternative instead of the traditional candy and cookie dough sale.

Some people will see candles as a way to make a living, but of course you can perfectly choose to continue your candle making purely as a hobby.  Either way there is always much delight and satisfaction in creating the perfect candle.

A candle is in essence a portable fire, and the candle history goes back to prehistoric times.  Archeological findings date the candle as far back as 3,000 BC. Candle holders made of clay date back to the fourth century BC.

The theory goes that the ancient Egyptians may have been the first civilization to develop candles.

These first simple forms of wick-less candles were no more than a rock of stone shaped as a cup and containing animal fat. Straw-like plant material was used as sort of wick.

The simple form of these fat or oil lamps evolved into more sophistication. Up to the 19th century, 3 types of animal fat were used for candle: lamb fat (best quality, for rich people only), beef fat and pork fat (bad smell, thick smoke, for the poorest people). This fat was known as tallow.

Candle making as we know it, dates from about the 13th century. Professional candle makers provided their services and evolved into guilds with regulated trades and qualities.

Beeswax was then also know as raw material for candle. It was more difficult to work with than tallow and all beeswax candles had to be produced by hand. They were expensive and found chiefly in churches and monasteries.

In the 15th century, candle lanterns lit the street during the night. And a new invention advanced the craft of candle making: the mold.

The industrial revolution of the 18th and certainly the 19th century accelerated the development of candle making as any other area of life.
We’ll mention just a few: invention of the wick, invention of the molding machine to mass produce candles, and last but not least the discovery of paraffin and stearin in the 1850’s.

This made candles affordable for the masses, abundant and with good quality: even and longer burning, virtually smokeless and odorless: candle making as we know it today.

First, we will start with the metal molds. They come in a large variety of designs: balls, squares, stars, and many more. All metal molds are very durable, they can last for a very long time and, in addition, they come equipped with a wick sealing screw for the bottom wick hole. One thing you should remember, though, is that with metal molds or any other type of molds, the bottom of the mold is always the top of the candle.

Aluminum molds are great, because they provide inexpensive ways to extend your line of candles. When using aluminum molds, some tips and techniques will help you during the process. You should take care of your molds, so do not use them for any other purpose because you might scratch the inside of the mold. Second, by heating or cooling the mold, you can achieve different aesthetic qualities. Cold molds can give a primitive appearance, while warm molds give good gloss.

Plastic molds can be found in many more shapes and sizes than the metal ones. This is a much more popular mold used by the most candle makers mostly because they are cheaper. The major disadvantage of plastic molds is that, in time, they can suffer scratches. These are good molds for beginners but if you were to take your candle making business to the next level, you are probably going to have to invest in different other types of molds. However, these molds still they create a smooth finish.

Polyurethane molds have a very high durability rate so they can last up to ten years, if taken care of. Another advantage is its facial accuracy. This material provides close to identical reproduction of the original product. Altough Polyurethane is a more expensive material, overtime the cost is canceled out by the durability and accuracy provided by these molds.

Rubber or latex molds have the ability to provide great detail. Further more, these types of molds are very flexible so that the rubber allows you to remove the candle from its mold. Latex molds are much cheaper because it makes much thinner molds so you can make many more. They do have flaws though. Rubber and latex molds have limited lifetime.

Another type of mold is the silicone candle mold. Silicone molds are very soft and flexible. This allows the candle maker to create the design he wants. Silicone molds are also hard to maintain. When not in use, the mold should be placed in a clean plastic bag. Do not stack them on top of each other and do not leave them into the sunlight. They will last much longer if you handle them with care.

The last mold is the glass one. Glass molds cool down very quickly. These types of molds offer a smooth finish and rarely stick. The problem with this kind of molds is that they are delicate and prone to scratching and cracking which will lead to breakage.

Considering all the available options, you only have to choose what kind of candle making molds is fit for you.

Soon after making your first set of candles, you will notice that white candles are pretty boring and why should you limit yourself to making white candles only?

Dyes for candle making come in a wide variety of forms: powders, flakes, chips and liquids. And almost by definition, you can find them in just about any color you want.  Of course you can blend colors to generate even more beautiful shades only limited by your creativity and imagination.

Here are some tips about handling dyes.

You should handle all dyes very carefully as most things that come in contact with even minute amounts of dyes may become permanently stained (think clothing for example). Read all pertaining and available instructions and advices for both safety and staining.

Don’t use too much of the dye. It will not improve the appearance of your candles and it can actually negatively affect the burning quality of your candles.

Most dyes have a delicate and sensitive chemical composition. Be careful not to overheat the dye when mixing it with the hot wax, as it can cause discoloration.  Sometimes the discoloration will only show up after some days.

in addition to the color, fragrances can have a special effect on you as well as others. Nothing smells sweeter than the scent of a candle. Once a candle has filled the room with that special fragrance, it changes the entire atmosphere of the room and of your own mood as well.

Candle fragrances come in several forms: perfume chips, natural herbs and liquids. There is and infinite assortment of fragrances you can choose from. Liquid scents are stronger and will last longer, but are somewhat more difficult to handle and dose properly.

Again as for the dye, don’t add too much scent.  This is a classical newbie mistake. This may cause mottling or pitting to the wax.  Also to keep evaporation to the minimum, add your scent the last minute when ready to pour the melted wax.

For now let’s just go over these two basic candle ingredients.

Wax is the most essential ingredient in the entire candle making process. There are different types of waxes and you’ll probably start with the most common one: the paraffin wax.

Paraffin-bases waxes comes in a variety of blends. A huge benefit is that it produces an odorless smoke.
Paraffin wax melts between 104-160 °F (40-71 °C) depending on the quality. Stearin is a current additive to paraffin wax.

Beeswax is a natural wax and comes in blocks or sheets. The color varies from yellow to white. Beeswax possesses a honey fragrance. You can mix it with paraffin wax to produce candles with a longer burning time.
Beeswax comes with its own problems: it is more difficult to get beeswax candles out of the mold and it doesn’t mix well with fragrance additives.

Soy wax is a recent introduction into the world of candle making. It is made from hydrogenated soybean oil. Like beeswax, it is a natural product and it is less expensive than beeswax. Also it burns slower than paraffin, produces less soot and distributes the scent additives easier.

Gel wax is merely clear gel. It is fun to work with as it makes possible stunningly beautiful candles that can be individually tailored (for example as gifts for friends and family).
This is a more advanced (and potentially dangerous) material to work with however, as the melting behavior is not obvious and you need to put the gel wax directly over a heat source because of the high melting point.

The wick is the second essential element of a candle. Although a wick seems an innocent basic thing, you will soon experience that wick selection involves a lot of variables (wax type, candle size, fragrance additive, etc.) that it soon becomes an art in itself. As you become more proficient at choosing wicks, you’ll soon become a wick expert.

Cotton core wicks have a rigid inner core. This helps the wick standing straight while burning. Cotton core wicks are good for working with soy and paraffin wax candles.

Square braid wicks contains a core or rigid zinc, enabling the wick to stay straight up in the melted wax. Zinc core wicks are recommended for use in paraffin and gel wax candles.

When using wicks it is good practice to prime them (unless they come primed in the package). Priming is simply the process of coating the wick with one or two layers of molten wax before use.