Candles are a great addition to a table, make a wonderful centerpiece, can be used to decorate a mantle or shelf, and make lovely gifts.There are many ways to make candles, and the method you use depends on the effect you want.You can either make your own candles or buy premade ones from the store and decorate them to your liking.
Step 1: Pick out the wax.
The most popular waxes for candle-making are soy, paraffin, and beeswax.Paraffin wax can be used for candles, but it may not be the best product for the air in your home.It is easy to find and use soy wax.The wax must be mixed with another oil to lower the melting point so that you can burn the candle.You can blend it with palm oil at a half and half ratio.Combine and use the leftover wax from old candles to make new candles.
Step 2: There is a mold that you can choose from.
You can use almost any mold you want to make a candle out of, as long as the mold is durable enough to resist the heat from hot wax.You can experiment with different candle shapes from different molds.You can use empty juice boxes, tins, or milk cartons if you want to make free-standing pillar candles.To make a candle in a jar, use clean glass jars, mason jars or old candle jars.To make special candles or muffin tins to make votive candles, try cookie cutter or baking mold.If candles stay in the mold, consider using hollow fruit such as an orange peel or pumpkin bottom, special tins, or sea shells.
Step 3: Pick up your remaining supplies.
If you want a scented candle, you will need a double boiler to melt the wax, a candle dye, and a Thermometer.Most craft or candle supply stores sell scent and dyes.Candle dyes can be in the form of liquids, blocks, or chips.
Step 4: Put the wax in a container and then cut it.
Wax can come in chips or in a large block.Cut your wax into cubes if it's in a block.The wax should be placed in the top pot of the boiler.Put 2.5 cm of water in the bottom pot.Place the top pot inside the bottom pot and the double boiler in the middle of the room.Since the waxes, dyes, and scents may never fully wash out, consider using an old pot or a specially designated candle pot for this project.You can find cheap pots at garage sales or thrift stores, or you can buy a special candle-making pot, which has a different handle and a pour spout.If you want to make a double boiler, place a large, heat-safe glass bowl on top of a metal saucepan.The saucepan should be filled with water and the glass bowl with wax.Two cups of wax will yield an eight-ounce candle, four cups will give a 16-ounce candles, and six cups are enough to make a 24 ounce candle.
Step 5: The wicks need to be prepared.
While you're waiting for the wax to melt, you can stiffen the wicks with wax, which will make it easier to pour the candle.If enough candle wax has melted that you can easily access it, hold the candle by the base, dip it into the melted wax, and pull it out.Let it dry after you straighten it.Once dry, dip the base into the wax and coat it.Press the base of the wick into the bottom center of your candle mold and hold it there for a few seconds to allow the wax to dry and glue it in place.Put a pencil across the rim of your candle mold and wrap the excess wick around it to keep it straight and in place when you pour the candle.
Step 6: You can smell the wax.
Add your dye when your wax is fully melted.Before adding dye chips or blocks, cut them into smaller chunks.To make a multicolored candle, separate the wax into different containers and add individual dye colors.To evenly distribute the dye, stir well.When the wax temperature reaches 185 F (85 C), add the fragrance.Add 15 drops of fragrance for an eight-ounce candle.
Step 7: The wax should be poured into the mold or jar.
A quarter-inch (63mm) of space is left between the top of the candle and the mold after filling it with wax.If you want to make a multicolored candle, pour your first color and give it about an hour to dry.Add your next wax color after the wax has hardened.Continue until you have poured all the wax.Wrap the candle in a towel to stop it from cracking.
Step 8: The candle has to be finished.
Allow the candle to cure for 24 hours, then remove the pencil and trim the wick to one-half inch.If you want to remove the candle from the mold, place it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
Step 9: Wax cut-outs can be used.
You can purchase thin sheets of wax from a craft store that can be punched or cut into shapes to decorate the surface of a pillar or free-standing candle.To cut the wax sheet into shapes, use a craft punch, cookie cutter, or sharp knife.To attach the shapes to the candle, you can use a blow dryer or a heat gun.Press the shape into the candle and hold it there for a minute to allow the wax to dry.
Step 10: A candle with a paper transfer.
If you want to transfer a pattern, image, or decoration directly onto the candle, you need to use tissue paper.If you want to decorate your candle with a pattern, you need to print it on tissue paper and tape it to a piece of regular printer paper.Cut the tissue paper to fit around the candle.Cut out the shape of the image.Attach the tissue paper around the candle with a non-toxic glue.Wrap the candle in wax paper and apply heat from a blow dryer.The tissue paper will not be visible as the wax saturates and absorbs it.Allow the candle to dry after removing the wax paper.If you want to use this method on a jar candle, you need to print off your pattern onto tissue paper and apply liquid craft glue to the outside of the jar.
Step 11: Paint candles.
Paint markers and glitter pens can be used to paint a jar candle.You can do anything you want with shapes, designs, images, or anything else.Add points of interest with the glitter pen and use the paint pen for the major design.For festive ideas, consider painting a tree or ornaments for Christmas, leaves for fall or Thanksgiving, flowers for spring, and snowflakes for winter.
Step 12: You can make a frosted effect.
If you want to leave them white, take a cup of Epsom salts and stir in food coloring.Add more drops until you reach the desired intensity.Put them on a plate.Then, dip a paint brush in a non-toxic liquid craft glue and use the glue to paint designs or patterns onto the jar or candle.Roll the candle or jar in the pile of salts when the glue is still wet.
Step 13: You can decorate a candle with dried fruit and flowers.
Thinly sliced dried fruit and flowers can be used to make a candle.Attach flowers or fruits to a candle or jar with a non-toxic craft glue.You can arrange the flowers any way you please.One last time after the flowers are attached, dip the candle in hot, clear wax.This will help keep them in place.