The Joy of Candle Making

When I was a little girl, I used to love to create things. It brought me so much satisfaction and joy to begin with a few unrecognizable items and put them together into something useful or beautiful.

Around this time of year, I would enjoy candle making. I want to share that process with you. The glimmering lights and the aromatic fragrances that you enjoy from a candle you made with your own hands is an experience to remember.

Step 1: Prepare Your Materials

Before you begin with the actual process of making candles, you need to make sure you have all your materials ready to go.

Because you are dealing with melted wax, you want to make sure that you have your working area free from clutter and protected from stains. You should make sure you are working on a flat surface so that the wax hardens on a horizontal line, not crooked.

You will want to have your wax, coloring, and scents picked out beforehand and measured. This will ensure that the process runs smoothly, and your candle turns out exactly how you want it.

List of materials needed:

• 1 jar or container for the candle
• Wax for candle making
• Scents, color, or glitter to mix into the wax
• Candle wicks
• Double boiler, wooden spoon, container with a spout
• Chopstick or pencil

Step 2: Melt the Wax

Make sure you have the right amount of wax for your container and melt it in the double boiler. This will take about 15 minutes, depending on the amount of wax and the size of the wax pieces.

Once it is fully melted, pour the wax into the container with a spout and add in your coloring and/or fragrance. Stir until welt mixed and let the wax cool for a few minutes before you pour it into the container to make sure you don’t burn yourself.

Step 3: Attach the wick

Before pouring the wax into your selected container you need to attach the wick securely to the bottom of the container. The wick should have a small circle of metal attached to the bottom. This is the side that you attach to the bottom.

You can dip the bottom of this circle into the wax and then push it into the bottom of the container. The wax should melt rather quickly so be sure you have it in the center of the bottom of the container fast.

Give the wick about 5 minutes to harder well.

Step 4: Roll the wick

Using the chopsticks or a pencil, roll the end of the wick that is sticking out until it is tight against the rim of the container and then push it slightly to the side so that you have room to pour in the wax.

This is to keep the wick straight while the wax hardens. You don’t want to have a wriggly wick all over the candle.

Step 5: Pour the wax

It’s finally time to pour in the wax! Grab your container in one hand and your wax in the container with a spout in the other hand. Carefully pour the wax into the container making sure to avoid getting the top of the wick wet.

Put the candle down on a flat surface and tap the sides gently to ensure any air bubbles come to the top. Move the pencil or chopsticks across the middle of the rim so that the wick is in the center of the wax.

Step 6: Dry and finish

Now all you need to do is wait. Depending on the size of the candle it can take 4-6 hours to dry completely. To be safe, you can just set it aside overnight. Make sure you don’t move it during the drying process.

Once it is completely dried you can cut the wick, and voila! You have created a sweet smelling candle!