Last year I really wanted to learn to make candles and I watched so many videos and read blogs and not to dilute the craft and art that is candle making but it can get really complicated. This post and tutorial is how I make candles – the easy way! I did include links for the Candlemakers Store. I don’t get a commission and this is not a sponsored post for them, it’s just who I found and they are local to me! That said there are a few other links that if you click on them and make a purchase I will make a small commission on that.
Project Time: 30 minutes + (depends on how many you make!) this was 4 small container candles
As you might have seen yesterday you can cut glass bottles for a low cost container for your candles! For this project I also used old gravy jars as Thanksgiving just happened. I have in the past also melted out old candle containers (a post for another day!) and used drinking glasses, and jam jars!
I also use soy wax because it’s (from my research) the easiest wax to use but it only works in containers. So if you’re wanting to make pillars you’ll need to use different wax. I bought this 10 lb bag of soy wax flakes last year and have made several (10+) candles and still have some wax left! I did find the exact one on Amazon but did purchase it from The Candlemakers Store’s website. In fact I bought all my supplies on the Candlemakers website! For these candles I scooped out 5-6 cup fulls and did end up needing to melt a little bit more for my last candle – which is no biggie!
The Candlemaker’s Store 05417002641 Natural Soy Wax, 10 lb. Bag, White
As you can see I have a sauce pot of water and then my melting pot inside of it. This melting pot does have a handle and a pour spout. I’ve used it several times! For the water I just keep it hot enough to melt the wax but not to be boiling out. It’s probably in the middle of a simmer to a boil.
Super candle makers will have a temperature gauges- maybe like a Candy thermometer to make sure the wax is at a specific temperature. I’m not a super candle maker but all my candles have been successful! Once the wax is fully melted. You’re ready to pour! Also I know you might have to actually pay attention to temperature if you’re using a different kind of wax.
While you’re waiting for your wax to melt go ahead and get your jars ready! If you have any sticky spots from an old label you can use goo gone to get rid of that!
Next I like to go ahead and get my wicks inside my containers. I use sticky tabs that I bought off the Candlemakers Store which help make it easy to attach the wick. I have seen people also dip the ends of the wick into melted wax and use that as a way to attach the wick to a container. I bought cotton wicks and from my understanding the wider the container the thicker the wick you’d want.
Next up is the fragrances! I go ahead and drop my fragrances in each of my containers before I pour my wax in. I used an eye dropper and put in 3-4 drops of each fragrance in their designated container!
At this point I only had a few more minutes to wait for my wax to be fully melted!
Once it is all melted go ahead and carefully pour it into each container!
With each candle having its wax poured in you’ll want to secure your wick. I like to secure mine using a clothespin.
Be careful to not bump and knock over a jar of wax or moving your wick once you’re done with this step! Also it’ll be pretty hot. So be careful!
It takes about an hour or so for the wax to fully cool down. Here are my candles after sitting overnight!
Next you’ll want to trim your wicks to 1/4” so they’re ready for burning. And that’s it!! Not too difficult! Bring on the hygge!
Also – bonus! You can make labels for your candles, I made these a few months back and just used some free paper I had gotten from donating to St. Jude. Isn’t the design so cute?
Only two days left of this years Handmade Holidays but easily is something I’d like to do again next year!! If you haven’t already be sure to follow me on socials so you can stay up to date on new posts and products!
See y’all tomorrow!
Xoxo -Robin
