Instructions in Colonial Candle Making

Create Colonial-style candles using wax and items found around the house.

Creating Colonial candles lets you experience a form of candle making from the past when there were no candle making machines. Instead, the entire process was done by hand and the candles were repeatedly dipped in the wax until complete. Try making your own Colonial candles not only for their beauty and simplicity, but also for the experience of creating something from scratch with your own two hands.

Things You'll Need

• Wax
• Coffee can
• Pot
• Spoon
• Non-wax candlewick
• Metal washer
• Small clips
• Hanger
• Newspaper
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Choose a wax such as bayberry to create authentic Colonial style candles. Use wax from a craft store if you cannot find bayberry wax. It will not be the same type used in some Colonial candles, but the process will remain the same. Paraffin wax is another suitable choice.

2. Find a tall metal object, such as a coffee can, and clean it thoroughly with soap and water. Allow it to dry before adding the wax.

3. Pour water into a pot and place it on the stove. Turn the heat on and as it begins to heat up the water, raise the temperature until the water is at a low simmer. FamilyMealtimes.org cautions not to bring the water to a boil. Lower temperatures prevent splashing and potential burns.

4. Lower the coffee can of wax into the simmering pot of water and wait for the wax to melt. Stir occasionally with a metal spoon and allow the wax to melt into a thin liquid.

5. Remove the pot and coffee can from the stove and place on a heat-safe surface, such as a kitchen counter. Add weight to a non-wax candlewick by tying a metal washer to one end. Dip the wick into the wax after the wax has had one to two minutes to cool off.

6. Pull the wick back out and wait about 30 seconds before dipping again. Keep repeating the dipping process and the wax will build up and grow thicker over time. If the wax gets too cool, place it back on the stove and heat for a few minutes.

7. Tie the wick around a hook or other hanging object so it can dry. Family Mealtimes suggests clipping the wick onto a hanger to suspend it in the air. Place newspaper underneath it to catch any drips.

8. Wait for the candle wax to completely harden and trim the wick down to size. Make sure to cut off any of the wick sticking out of the bottom so the candle can sit flat.

References

• Family Mealtimes: Colonial Times Candle Making