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For a beginner, using old candles that you are ready to throw away is a cheap way to experiment with candle making without spending a lot of money on wax. Adding crayon bits lets you color candles without buying special dyes. You can also save on molds by using items that you already have around the house, such as wax coated cups, cupcake tins or even small metal jello molds. You will also need a pair of scissors to trim the wick and a wooden spoon to stir the melting wax. To melt the wax, you need a double boiler, which can be purchased at a craft store or you can use two old saucepans that fit together. You also need pot holders for removing your double boiler from the heat.
Pre-tabbed wicks and a candy thermometer are essential. Silicone spray will be necessary if you are using metal molds. If you are using wax coated paper cups, you can simply tear the cup from the candle. - Preparing your molds before you melt the wax helps ensure that the wax won't cool before you have a chance to pour it into your molds. Spray metal molds with silicone spray before melting the wax. Molds should be laid out on newspaper to prevent wax from ruining the work surface. Place a pre-tabbed wick in each mold, usually in the middle to ensure even melting of the candle. If you're putting more than one wick in a large candle, space the wicks evenly within the candle.
- Remove old wicks and labels from the wax you plan to melt. If you are using crayons, you can break them up into smaller pieces before placing them in your double boiler to melt. Stirring the wax helps it melt faster and allows you to make sure no chunks remain. Do not, at any time, leave the wax to melt unattended. Heat the wax until it reaches 160 to 180 degrees, using your candy thermometer to monitor the temperature.
- When the wax reaches the correct temperature range, remove the top pan of your double boiler and pour the wax into your molds. Replace the pan onto the double boiler and wait for the poured wax to cool. While the wax in the molds is cooling, it will shrink. Keep an eye on the wax in the double boiler while you wait for the candles to finish cooling and shrinking. Once the poured wax is done shrinking, pour more wax into each mold to top it off.
- When you are completely done pouring your wax, if you have leftover wax, do not pour it down a drain. (That would cause a massive plumbing problem.) Let the wax cool in the pan and then place the pan in the freezer long enough for the wax to shrink and pull away from the edges. You can then either store the wax for later use or simply dispose of it in a garbage can.
- If you would like your candle to fill a room with a scent as it burns, you can add a high grade scent. You will need to add one to one-and-a-half oz. of scent for each 20 oz. of melted wax. Add the scent to the melted wax before pouring and stir it in well to make sure that it is evenly dispersed. Do not use your perfume to scent candles: many perfumes are flammable.
