How to Customize Candles With Wax Designs

Turn an ordinary candle into a unique conversation piece.

Candles have been used for centuries as a necessary source of light in the evening hours. Despite this, little is known about how candles came to be used. Egyptians and Romans receive credit for contributing to the modern candle, with Romans are credited for the wick candle. Use candles to create a romantic atmosphere at dinner or to set the tone for a relaxing evening alone. Create your own custom designed candles from scratch using a few simple engraving tools and contrasting candle wax.

Things You'll Need

• Paraffin candle wax
• 4 old cooking pots (two larger to create double burners)
• Water
• 1 oz. pigment dye in two different colors per pound of candle wax
• Stove or burner
• Kitchen thermometer
• Metal pillar mold
• Candle wick
• Wick screw
• Screwdriver
• Scissors
• Chopstick
• Mold sealer putty
• Water bath in large stock pot
• Tongs
• Clip
• Engraving tools

Instructions

1. Fill the large cooking pot approximately one-third full of water and place the smaller pot inside.

2. Place the pots from step one on the burner at a low heat, creating a double boiler in which to more safely melt your wax.

3. Repeat steps one and two to create a second double boiler.

4. Fill each of the double boilers with your paraffin wax up to within 2 inches of the top. Next add 1/2 to 1 ounce of pigment per pound of wax used. Add a different pigment to each pot.

5. Slowly melt the wax in the first double boiler. Once melted, adjust the temperature up or down so that it reaches approximately 175 degrees Fahrenheit using a kitchen thermometer.

6. Pass the wick through the hole of the candle mold and then turn the candle mold around to tie the other end of the wick onto the chopstick.

7. Turn the mold over again and tighten the wick screw in order to secure the wick so that the wick is taut and then place mold sealer putty over the screw.

8. Pour your wax into the mold once it has reached the correct temperature, leaving some melted wax in the pot.

9. Poke some holes into the bottom of the candle and let cool. The holes should be approximately 1/4 - inch in diameter. Repeat as necessary in order to keep the candle vented as it cools. Take the remaining wax, reheat to 175 degrees Fahrenheit, and pour it into the holes once the pillars reach room temperature.

10. Let the candle cool to room temperature and remove the mold sealer and screw to enable you to remove the pillar candle from the mold.

11. Heat your second color of wax to a boil and then cool to 155 degrees Fahrenheit.

12. Take your cooled pillar candle and dip it into the colored wax of the second double boiler for 30 seconds, carefully using tongs to hold the candle by the wick.

13. Immediately take the candle and dip it in and out of the water bath.

14. Use your engraving tools to trim excess wax from around the bottom of your pillar and to carve a design into the wax. Begin with simple designs in the second coat of wax such as swirls or vertical lines. This will reveal some of the color of the candle underneath.

Tips & Warnings

• Never place wax and dye directly on a burner, this is a fire hazard and may ruin your pot.

References

• One Stop Candle: Cut 'n Curl Candle Project I
• Let's Make Candles: Candle Making Basics
• Candle Tech; Getting Started with Making Pillar Candles; Alan Wallace
• Candle Comfort: History of Candles