Instructions on How to Make Candles

Candle making is a hobby with endless possibilities.

When making candles, one of the biggest priorities is safety. Candle wax can burst into flames if the temperature gets too high, so it's crucial that you use a double boiler if you don't have a wax melter to ensure that the wax is liquefied gently and doesn't burn. Aside from that, making candles is a generally simple task that requires only a few materials.

Things You'll Need

• Double boiler
• Wax (paraffin or from old candles)
• Crayon/crayons in the color of your choice
• Candle mold
• Vegetable oil
• Thick cotton string
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Fill the bottom compartment of a double boiler with water and bring to a simmer on the stove.

2. Set the desired amount of wax, either paraffin wax or leftover wax from old candles, into the top compartment of the double boiler and allow it to melt. Stir the melting wax constantly with a Popsicle stick or wooden spoon that will be used only for this activity.

3. Crush a colored crayon and sprinkle it into the melted wax. Stir until the crayon is melted and the candle wax is a shade of your liking. One crayon will adequately color 1/4 lb. of wax.

4. Rub some vegetable oil around the inside of your preferred candle mold.

5. Remove the melted wax from the heat and allow it to sit for 2 minutes.

6. Pour the slightly thickened wax into the oiled candle mold. Leave at least 1/8 inch of space free at the top of the mold instead of completely filling it.

7. Tie the end of a piece of thick cotton string that is cut 3 inches longer than the length you want the wick to be to the middle of a pencil and insert the wick into the center of the wax. Rest the pencil over the mold to hold the wick in place.

8. Allow the candle to completely harden for 24 hours before removing it from the mold. Cut the excess wick and pencil away with a pair of scissors.

Tips & Warnings

• If the shade of the wax is too bright for your liking after adding the crayon, use some pieces of white crayon to make the color more of a pastel shade.

• Be careful not to let any wax spill down the drain of your kitchen sink. It's often best to pour the wax into the mold over an area lined with newspaper to catch any drips or splashes.

References

• The Farm: How To Make Candles