How to Make Candles

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Things You'll Need

  • Wax, such as bee’s wax or soy wax

  • Wicks

  • Containers, such as mason jars or vases

  • Melting pot with a pour spout

  • Glue gun

  • Craft sticks

Final Example
Image Credit: Jessica Begum

Candle making at home is a fun, easy way to make candles that you can use around the home or give as gifts or wedding favors. Use fragrant oils to scent, or make natural-scented candles using bee's wax. A container candle (shown here) is the perfect introduction to making candles.

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Candle making supplies

Step 1

Here are the supplies you'll need.
Image Credit: Jessica Begum

To make candles, you'll need wax, wicks, jars or other small containers, a melting pot, a glue gun and craft sticks. Please see the last slide for an itemized list of tools and materials

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Step 2

Glue wicks to the bottom of the container.
Image Credit: Jessica Begum

Place jars on flat surface where they can stay put for a few hours, as you don't want to move jars once wax is poured. Begin by hot gluing the bottom of the wicks to the bottom of the jars.

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Note that wicks come in a few different sizes, usually 6 inches or 9 inches, and various thicknesses (small, medium and large). Use the wick length and size that makes sense for the size of your container; with a short, small, container, for example, you might use a 6 inch, small wick.

Step 3

Melt wax
Image Credit: Jessica Begum

Melt wax -- only melt 2 pounds or less at a time -- on low heat over the stovetop. Do not melt in the microwave. If wax came in a large block, cut into 2 inch squares before melting.

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Step 4

Pour wax into containers.
Image Credit: Jessica Begum

Once wax is completely melted, carefully pour into containers. Use a craft stick to prop the wicks up in the center so that they don't get fully buried by the wax.

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Step 5

Trim wick.
Image Credit: Jessica Begum

Let the wax dry for several hours. Trim the wicks that are sticking out of the wax to ¼ inch high.

Tip

It is best to use a high quality soy based wax or bee’s wax. Paraffin wax is petroleum based and does not burn as cleanly. Low quality waxes can set unevenly and look lumpy.

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