Candle Making
Candles have been used as a source of light for thousands of years. They are used to symbolize and celebrate a wide variety of holidays, religions, and special occasions. Candle making is a very creative hobby that can be shared with both family and friends! In this lesson, we'll explore all things candles... history, terms, materials, and 3 different step-by-step tutorials!
Candle Terms
Container: A candle that is poured into any type of container. We like to use empty glass jars from honey, jam, and M5 spice rubs! It's very common for these types of candles to be scented.
Pillar: A freestanding candle, usually shaped like a cylinder. Pillar candles can be made with beeswax sheets or candle molds.
Votive: Small pillar shaped candles that are usually about 1.5 inches in diameter and 2-3 inches tall. They completely liquify during burning, so they are meant to be used in a glass votive cup.
Tealight: Small votive candles poured in small metal or plastic tealight cups. You may have used these candles in a jack o' lantern for Halloween!
Taper: Tall, skinny candles that require a candlestick holder. These candles can be made by rolling beeswax sheets (like in our video!), using a mold, or dipping a length of wick into hot wax.
Tarts: Discs of scented wax used in potpourri or tart burners.
History
Candles have been used for thousands of years as a source of light and heat. Today, we use them mainly for decor and as a symbol to commemorate special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries.
The exact origin of the candle is unknown, but there is evidence that supports it to be some 500 years BCE! Candles were (and still are!) made with very few materials. The first candles made in China are believed to be made out of whale fat and a type of fish called 'eulachon.' In India, candles were made out of a wax residue from boiling cinnamon. During the Roman Era in Europe, tallow (animal fat) was commonly used. In early civilization it was also very common to use beeswax, and still is today!
In the late 18th century, when the whaling industry was growing, there was a large shift in candle making. Spermaceti (wax obtained by crystallizing whale sperm) was used quite often. This wax gave off a bright light and did not release a negative odor like the tallow candles did. In the 1850's, paraffin wax was discovered by distilling coal. It is still used today, but many prefer soy and beeswax for environmental reasons.
Candle wicks used to be made out of rice paper, cotton, flax, hemp, and wood. Today, candle wicks are usually made out of braided cotton.
Wax
Beeswax and Beeswax Sheets
Beeswax was and still is a very common wax that is used to make candles. Many people prefer it over the other waxes because of its natural scent, high melting point, bright burn, and environmental impact. Beeswax does not require chemical processing and is a natural byproduct of the beekeeping industry. It's made and used by bees to store their honey and raise their broods. The extra honeycombs are removed and the beeswax comes from the cappings of those honeycombs. Beeswax has a very natural, subtle scent of honey and nectar. Unlike other candles, beeswax emits light that is similar to the light spectrum of sunlight; bright and warm-toned. This is because of its high melting point of about 150F.
Soy and Soy Wax Flakes
Soy wax is a natural, non-toxic, renewable resource. Soy wax produces a very little amount of soot when burned and drips clean up very easily. Soy wax is available in flake form, which is easy to measure and work with. Soy wax is also used in many other products, such as homemade soaps, lotions, and lip balms. Other materials are easily added to soy candles, which we will talk about in detail later on in the lesson.
Wick
Wicks today are commonly made out of braided natural cotton. Different types of candles require different types of wick. For example, a birthday candle will call for a wick smaller in diameter than a large pillar candle would. Many braided wicks are braided "flat," so they curl back into the flame, making them "self-consuming." This means that you won't have to trim your wick throughout burning. A "square" braided wick is commonly used for taper candles, as they form a "carbon cap" on top of the wick, radiating heat outward and minimizing carbon for a clean burn.
For container candles, wicks with a metal attachment are common, as they stay secure at the bottom of the jar with a wick sticker or hot glue. To keep your wick straight and centered while pouring in the hot wax, use a wick bar, clothespin, or pencil. When using these wicks, they'll usually be much taller than the container you are using, so after the wax dries you will trim your wick to about 1/4 inch above the wax surface.
For beeswax sheets, you'll want a wick without a metal attachment so you can roll your wax over the entire wick.
Candle Tutorial
Beeswax Sheets
Taper Candle (as seen in our video!)
Supplies: 1 sheet of beeswax (8" x 16"), candle wick (metal free), scissors and a ruler.
1.) Measure and cut an 8x8 inch square from your beeswax sheet.
2.) Place your wick (we used square braid) at the bottom of your sheet, leaving about half an inch extra on each side.
3.) Start to gently cover your wick with the beeswax sheet. If your sheet is beginning to crack, you'll need to heat it up with a hair dryer (about 30 seconds on low).
4.) Once you have your wick covered, begin to tightly roll your beeswax sheet, making sure the base and top are even with the edges of the sheet.
5.) Use your fingers to gently press the final edge into the rest of the candle.
6.) Trim the wick at the bottom of the candle and firmly press it into the bottom of the candle. Trim the top of your wick to about 1/4 inch and enjoy!
Twisted Taper Candle (as seen in our video!)
Supplies: 1 sheet of beeswax (8" x 16"), candle wick (metal free), scissors and a ruler.
1.) Measure and cut an 8x8 inch square from your beeswax sheet.
2.) Use a ruler to make a diagonal line connecting two corners. Move your ruler to leave about 1 inch of space next to each corner. Cut across your guideline and you'll end up with a straightedge and point on each piece.
3.) Place your wick (we used square braid) at the bottom of your sheet, leaving about half an inch extra on each side.
4.) Start to gently cover your wick with the beeswax sheet. If your sheet is beginning to crack, you'll need to heat it up with a hair dryer (about 30 seconds on low).
5.) Once you have your wick covered, begin to tightly roll your beeswax sheet, making sure the base is even with the edge of the sheet.
6.) Use your fingers to gently press the final edge into the rest of the candle.
7.) Trim the wick at the bottom of the candle and firmly press it into the bottom of the candle. Trim the top of your wick to about 1/4 inch and enjoy!
Pillar Candle (as seen in our video!)
Supplies: 1 sheet of beeswax (8" x 16"), candle wick (metal free), scissors, and a ruler.
1.) Measure and cut your beeswax sheet into 4 even sections (4" x 8").
2.) Place your wick (we used square braid) at the bottom of one sheet, leaving about half an inch on each side.
3.) Start to gently cover your wick with the beeswax sheet. If your sheet is beginning to crack, you'll need to heat it up with a hair dryer (about 30 seconds on low).
4.) Once you have your wick covered, begin to tightly roll your beeswax sheet, making sure the base is even with the edge of the sheet.
5.) When you near the end of the sheet, overlap (about 1/2 inch) another sheet and continue to roll. Continue until you have used all of your sheets. Press the edge of the sheet into the rest of the candle.
6.) Trim the wick at the bottom of the candle and firmly press it into the bottom of the candle. Trim the top of your wick to about 1/4 inch and enjoy!
Container Candle (as seen in our video!)
Supplies: 3 empty 8 oz. glass jars (leftover from honey, jam, yogurt, spices, etc.), candle wick with metal attachment, wick sticker, wick bar, scissors, double boiler (or pot and pouring pitcher), thermometer, metal spoon, 1 pound soy wax flakes, 1 ounce essential oil.
1.) Place your wick sticker at the bottom of your metal attachment. Place the wick in the center of your empty glass jar. Use a wick bar or clothespin to keep your wick centered and straight.
2.) Heat 2 inches of water in your pot. While you wait for the water to boil, place your wax in the pouring pitcher.
3.) Once water is boiling, turn the heat down and place the pouring pitcher in the water to melt the wax. Stir until wax is fully melted.
4.) Place thermometer in your wax. Once it reaches 185F, pour your essential oil into the wax and remove from heat.
5.) Stir wax for a few minutes, until the wax reaches 135F.
6.) Carefully pour the wax into the glass jar. Wait until your candle is nearly dry to place any additional items (flower petals, sprinkles, etc.) on the top of your candle.
7.) Leave overnight to fully dry. Once dry, trim the wick to 1/4 inch and enjoy!
Crayon Candle (as seen in our video!)
Supplies: 3 empty 8 oz. glass jars, candle wick with metal attachment, wick sticker, wick bar, scissors, double boiler (or pot and pouring pitcher), metal spoon, 1 pound soy wax flakes, unwrapped chopped-up crayons.
1.) Place your wick sticker at the bottom of your metal wick attachment. Place the wick in the center of your empty glass jar. Use a wick bar or clothespin to keep your wick centered and straight.
2.) Heat 2 inches of water in your pot. While you wait for the water to boil, place one cup of wax in the pouring pitcher.
3.) Once water is boiling, turn the heat down and place the pouring pitcher in the water to melt the wax. Stir until the wax is fully melted. Once melted, add one colored crayon and stir until melted.
4.) Once crayon is melted, carefully pour the wax into your glass jars. If you're making a layered crayon (pictured above), you'll need to wait until each layer is dry before repeating steps and adding another layer. You can place the candle in the refrigerator for a few minutes to speed up the process.
5.) Once all layers are dry, trim your wick to 1/4 inch and enjoy!
Adding to Your Candles
Adding different items into your candles is always a fun and creative way to make them unique to you! There are so many "add-in" options... essential oils, dried herbs from the garden, dried flower petals, and sprinkles to name a few!
When adding essential oils, the options are endless! You can purchase oils specific to candles, or you can make and blend fragrances of your own. The amount of oil you use depends on the kind of oil and wax you use. In our Ranch School video, we used 1 oz. of oil (from Candle Science) to 1 pound of soy wax flakes. This amount made three 8 oz. candles. When adding your essential oils to the wax, timing is important. If your wax is too hot, the active compounds in the oil can be destroyed and weaken the scent, or throw (how well the scent from a candle circulates throughout the room). If the wax is too cool, the oils may not evenly distribute themselves throughout it. The ideal temperature to add your oil is when the wax reaches 185F.
When adding goodies such as flower petals, birthday sprinkles, or dried herbs, you'll want to wait until your candle is nearly dried. If the candle hasn't set at all, items will drop to the bottom of the jar. Be sure to not overcrowd your wick, as you run the risk of burning unevenly. Dried herbs can potentially affect the scent of your essential oil, so be sure to keep that in mind when choosing combinations!
Tips and Tricks
When you reach the end of a candle and want to reuse the jar for something... stick it in the freezer! Wait at least a few hours, and use a butter knife to chip away at the wax. It will break extremely easily and you'll be able to clean out your jar for another use! You can also reuse this wax to make another candle.
When you first light your container candle, don't blow it out right away! Wait a few hours or at least until the whole top layer is evenly melted. This will prevent wax build up on the side of the container that never seems to burn down all the way!
Old crayons or birthday candles? Chop them up and use them for a new candle!
If you find the sides of your container candles are turning black with soot, trim your wick down to about 1/4 of an inch and that should solve your problem.