Craft Articles

First what you need to make your first candle:

• Melting system. I have used a double boiler.     
• 139-145mp paraffin wax     
• Vybar     
• Stearin     
• Candle Mold     
• Mold seal-Blue Tac
• Wick (type of wick depends on size of mold – best check with supplier)     
• Colour block /liquid dye/colour diamonds/chips etc
• Candle fragrance oil     
• Pouring jug

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU READ THE SAFETY TIPS BEFORE MAKING ANY CANDLE http://articles.ukcraftwebsites.co.uk/2007/04/27/safety-procedures-for-making-candles

STEP 1    
Calculate the amount of wax needed by filling the mold with water and measuring it. 3 weighed ounces of wax are needed for every 3 1/2 ounces of water.  1lb of wax has been used here.
 

STEP 2    
2. Put the wax into the top of the double boiler and fill the bottom part approximately 1/3 full of water. Heat on a medium setting on your stove top. If the water begins to boil rapidly, reduce heat to a gentle boil to prevent water from splashing into the wax and contaminating it.

STEP 3    
Melt the wax to the correct temperature. For this particular sort of candle you want to aim for 180°F which is roughly 82°C. Dip the thermometer into the wax to check the temp, but do not let the thermometer touch the bottom of the pan or you will obtain a false reading.

STEP 4
Prime your wick. This is done by placing the required length of wick– (I tend to hold wick up against mold and cut to required length), into the melted wax until it starts to release air bubbles. This means that it has absorbed enough wax. Carefully remove it (not using your fingers - the wax is hot! I use a wooden skewer) and pull it tight then place it to dry flat. The reason for doing this is so that the top of the wick (top of the candle) is well waxed and will be easier to light. It also makes threading it through the wick hole in the mold much easier.

STEP 5    
When the wick is hard (only takes a minute or two) insert it through the small hole at the top of the mold and pull it through. Secure it around a lollypop stick or wick support at the open end and plug up the small hole with mold seal (or blue tac) to prevent the wax from leaking out (this is really important as if the mold is not sealed properly you will have hot wax pouring out of your mold and no way to stop it).

STEP 6    
When your wax has reached the desired temperature, add your additives. For a basic candle you will want 3tBs stearic acid and ½ tSp vybar to 1lb wax, so if you have an 8oz mold, use 1.5 tBs vybar and 1/4 tSp vybar. When the additives have completely dissolved, add your colour. If you are using colour blocks, shave a small amount off, stir it in and add more if required. It is easier to darken the colour than it is to take dye out!
 

STEP 7
Just before you get ready to pour the candle add the fragrance oil. The typical usage for a strongly scented candle is 1 weighed ounce of scent to 1lb wax. Stir for at least two minutes, but do not stir too vigorously or you will put too much air into the wax.
 

STEP 8    
If you are using a metal mold, preheat it before pouring the wax. This can either be done in a low temp oven (seamless molds only) or giving it a quick blast all over with a blow torch / heat gun. Then use the pouring jug to pour into your mold.

STEP 9
Before the wax sets, tap the sides of the mould quite sharply several times – watching you don’t splash wax out of the mold. This is done to release the trapped air bubbles that will mar the surface of your finished candle.

STEP 10    
10. When the wax has set to a tacky consistency, poke small holes in the candle around the wick. This will help to prevent any air pockets inside the finished candle that can be a fire hazard.

STEP 11    
11. Leave to set for a few hours. You can place the candle in a water bath to cool quicker, but if you do this, make sure that the water is deep enough to go all the way up the mold or you will find a water line around your candle. Also ensure not to get any water in the setting wax.

STEP 12    
Your candle will need a repour because wax retracts and shrinks as it cools. Melt your left over wax if you have any, otherwise melt and colour some more and top up your mold.

That’s it! When it is set, remove it from the mold.

Ta Dah You are Done

You may want to level off the bottom of your candle to make it smooth and even. This is easily done by heating a baking sheet with tin foil over a saucepan of boiling water and carefully placing the candle on it. Move it around a few times so that the bottom is nice and even and then carefully remove. Be careful of the steam from the boiling water as you can easily be burned doing this.

You should really leave your candles for at least 2 days for the wax to combine with the scent but you will be forgiven as this is your fist attempt.  Try and resist the urge to light it for at least 1 hour.

A big thanks for this article to Lisa

 visit her online store -www.candles-by-lisa.co.uk
Daily rantings - http://candlesbylisa.blogspot.com