A properly-stocked workspace reduces spills and mistakes along the way that end up in messy-looking candles. Before making candles, set up a workspace properly and set aside several hours for the process. Rushing the many important steps causes flaws and frumpy looking results. Troubleshoot based on previous undesired results. A beginner-level candle maker may be rushing the job, using mismatched ingredients or even forgetting an important one. Here are some advanced guidelines to improve results when making candles from scratch.
Gather Ingredients and Equipment Before Making Candles
- Good basic candle-making instructions
- Wax
- Molds
- Additives (includes fragrance, dye, mottling oil, hardeners)
- Wicking
- Double-Boiler
- Stirring Implement
- Thermometer
- Hot Pads
Use Household Items to Help Make Better Homemade Candles
- Wood skewers help hold wicking in place, stir additives into wax and come in handy in a pinch
- Cardboard shoe boxes and lids make great trays in which to set molds for moving them from place to place and protecting counter surfaces
- Paper towels absorb wax spills
- Mason jars make great inexpensive double boilers for wax
- Dedicate an old stock pot just for the purpose of making candles
Set Up the Workspace Properly
- Cover surfaces to protect them from spilled wax so there is less clean-up
- Prepare the double-boiler per basic candle making instructions
- Place molds close to the double-boiler
- Wear a smock or old clothes
Troubleshoot the Process
- Is the wax the right temperature for the size of the mold, type of wax and wick?
- Are the proper wicking and wax being used for the corresponding molds?
- Is enough cooling time allowed before removing candles from their molds?
- Are the correct additives at accurate ratios for desired results?
Perform Finishing Touches for Professional-Looking Candles
- After allowing candle to cool overnight, the wax will have receded and formed a U-shape in the top of the mold (which will become the bottom of the candle). Simply top this off with additional melted wax and allow to cool completely. The candle will have a nice flat bottom surface.
- After cooling the candle completely, remove it from the mold.
- Carefully scrape off any extra wax lines from mold seams using an old credit card, the back of a butter knife or even a fingernail.
- Place the candle in the fridge for ten minutes to cool the outside surface.
- Buff off any additional traces of the mold lines by using a pair of old panty hose and wiping in small quick circles.
- Buff the rest of the candle using the same method to give the finished candle a beautiful shine.
Always start the project off on the right foot with professional quality ingredients. Bypass or combine craft store ingredients with higher quality ones. Search the internet for a favorite source, or take a look at this website for excellent instructions and quality products. If you're still getting amateur-looking results, look at the quality of the candle ingredients and equipment. Wax, molds, wicking and additives (dye, fragrance, mottling liquid, etc) are not all created equal. Why not splurge on the ingredients?
It's important not to expect manufactured-looking candles. This might sound funny, but its the little flaws enhance the beauty of hand-poured candles because they indicate the human touch.
By following these advanced steps, the candle maker will improve the candle making process and produce beautiful candles with longer burning times and lasting fragrance. Investing time, money and research into the process of making better candles yields candles with a professional flair, a must for the rewarding results.
Remember: The most important ingredients are time and patience!
Melissa Fouch - MELISSA FOUCH MACHOWSKI OVERVIEW Boston-based writer and web designer Melissa Fouch Machowski is a staff writer for ...
