How to Make Homemade Tarts & Candles

Candles and tarts are a great way to decorate your house. Candles come in all shapes, sizes, colors and fragrances. Tarts are wickless candles that are melted in special containers. Buying candles and tarts can be expensive, so why not make your own? Making them is relatively easy and exponentially fun.

Things You'll Need

• Paraffin or wax chunks
• Dye chips
• Scent/fragrance
• Double boiler
• Pouring pot
• Wick
• Candle mold
• Pencil

Instructions

Choosing and Preparing Your Mold

1. Purchase candle molds from any hobby or craft store that sells candle-making supplies. You can also use just about any metal container as a candle mold. However, don’t use plastic, as the hot wax will melt it. Metal tins and glass jars work well if you plan to make a container candle, that is, if you want to leave the candle in the tin or jar. Mini muffin or petit four tins work great for tarts.

2. Get your mold ready for use. Make sure it is clean and free of debris. Wash and dry completely.

3. Coat the inside of the mold with cooking oil so that the finished candle does not stick to the mold when the wax has cooled. Cooking spray works well. Make sure you coat the entire interior surface of the mold. You do not need to coat the container if you plan on making a container candle.

Select Your Wick

1. Use a wick with a wire core for molded and container candles. The wire core helps the wick stay upright and straight. Wire core wicks can be purchased with or without metal tabs on one end. You will also want to make sure you get wicks that are pre-primed.

2. Trim your wick to the necessary length. The wick should be two inches longer than the mold or container you are using. If you are making tarts, you do not need a wick.

3. Make sure the wick should touch the bottom of the container. Some candle molds have holes in the bottom. This is done to thread the wick. If your mold has a wick hole, thread the wick through and fasten with the mold sealer that accompanies the mold. Pull the wick until it is taut and then wrap the free end around the pencil. The pencil should lay across the top of the mold or container. Keep the wick straight.

Making Candles and Tarts

1. Place wax pieces in the top of the double boiler, with water in the bottom half. Melt wax slowly over medium heat. Be careful not to let the wax burn or smoke.

2. Add dye chips and a few drops of fragrance or scent if desired. Some wax pieces can be purchased already colored, so if you have colored wax, there’s no need to add dye pieces. The scent can be any kind you like, from a favorite perfume to a liquid potpourri or air freshener. Remelt wax if necessary.

3. Pour the melted wax into the pouring pot. Because the pouring pot is smaller, it will be easier to pour the wax from the pot into your mold instead of straight from the double boiler. You are less likely to spill hot wax on yourself as well.

4. Make sure the wick is straight, and begin pouring the melted wax into the mold or container, being careful not to burn yourself. Fill the mold about 90% full. Let the candle set a few minutes. As the wax cools, it will shrink, creating a depression around the wick. For tarts, fill mold almost full and let set. Once the mold sets, top off the mold with the remaining wax.

5. Remelt the wax if necessary. Pour the wax on top, making sure to pour until the wax reaches the top of the mold. This will fill the depression and finish off your candle. Allow the candle to cool completely. If desired, the candle can be placed in the refrigerator to cool.

6. Untie the pencil from the wick once the candle has cooled. Remove the candle from the mold by turning the candle upside down and tapping the bottom of the mold. If you are using a mold with a wick hole and sealer, remove the sealer before trying to remove the candle from the mold. Since you used a cooking oil on the sides of the mold, the candle or tarts should slide right out.

7. Trim the wick on your candle, leaving about ¼ inch above the wax. Your candle is now ready to enjoy.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy pre-primed, wire core wicks.

• Be creative in selecting molds or containers.

• If hot wax comes in contact with skin, bathe the area in cold water and peel wax off. Be sure to treat the burned area.

• If you have candle stubs and pieces lying around the house that are too small to be burned, add several of them together and then melt to make a new candle.

• Never use plastic for molds or containers.

• Never leave melting wax unattended.

• Never heat wax in the microwave.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Other candle-making techniques