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Candlemaking at Home
by Dawn Adams

Description: Do you want to make your own candles? Try these beginning candlemaking tips.

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As the kids are cooped and crazed or if you are just looking for a decorating accent, homemade candles may be your answer.  There are three ways to get the basic candle.  One, purchase a candle you simply wish to accent.  Two, recycle old used candles by melting them down.  Three, purchase paraffin that you can melt and form from scratch.  You must be very careful when melting paraffin.  It is flammable.  Be sure to give it constant attention.  Paraffin melts best in a double boiler system.  I usually use my old electric frying pan filled with an inch or two of water. In that I place a coffee can.  The paraffin is placed in the coffee can and is stirred while melting at a moderate temperature. (The water should be at a slow simmer.  Be sure to check periodically if the water needs to be refilled.)

When you begin to compile your supplies for this project, you will find that you can keep this to an inexpensive fun project or you can become very professional and spend considerably more.  Some stores sell compiled kits with all that you will need to begin your candlemaking activities.  Usually you will pay a bit more for the convenience.  I purchased each part individually and did some experimentation.  Candlewicking can be purchased on a roll at a craft store.  Paraffin, although available at craft stores, I have found to be cheaper at the grocery store.  Paraffin is also used in canning.  Dyes can be purchased at the craft store or we used my children's broken crayons (I have heard that this makes the candle burn more rapidly. So decide what the purpose of the candle is before deciding on a dye.  For decoration purposes perhaps crayons are fine.  To make a fine well burning candle perhaps spend the money for the proper dyes.)  Molds can both be purchased and created.

Supplies:

• Paraffin
• Candlewicking
• Dyes/crayons
• Scents (essential oils purchased at a craft store)Flourishes (i.e. shells, pressed flowers)Pot holders

Double boiler or electric fry pan and coffee can molds (to be discussed)

Decorating an Existing Candle

Melt paraffin as directed.  With a paintbrush paint paraffin on the back of object to be placed on the candle.  Pressed flowers work best for this.  Work quickly and press object to candle.  Once all are placed paint over with melted paraffin to seal object in.  You may even wish to quickly dip the entire candle into the paraffin--if melted paraffin is deep
enough and can be done without burning yourself.  Be very careful.

For a different style you may wish to melt several pots of paraffin and add different colors.  Holding the wick of the candle, dip into each color ending each at a different level.  You will be left with a tie dye effect.

Sand or Snow Mold 

The concept here is the same.  In the sand or snow form a mold packing the snow or sand well.  Press any flourishes like shells or greenery into mold.  Stick wicking into bottom of mold.  Tie the other end of the wicking onto a skewer or piece of silverware that can lie across the mold and not be damaged by the hot paraffin.  Pour paraffin into mold.  Let dry.  Remove candle from mold. Children certainly enjoy the making of the molds but pouring
should be left up to the adults.

Ice Candles 

The interest in this candle lies in the holes that are left in the candle.  Although not extraordinarily useful, its shape will definitely inspire conversation.  Cut the top off of an orange juice or milk container (be sure that it has a wax coating).  Tie wicking to a skewer or piece of silverware that will lie steadily over the opening.  Pour in ice cubes.  Pour paraffin in.  Let dry.  Drain water.  Rip off mold.

The fun of candlemaking comes in the experimentation.  Despite the care that must be taken with the materials, it is fun to learn what you can and can't do with it.  I tried several other molds including yogurt containers and some molds that were not intended to be removed such as seashells.  We played with mixing colors to reach that perfect one.  We tried adding different oils and crushed spices to see what aromas we could evoke.  I do warn here that it is very important to use good judgement and to have constant adult supervision, but within reason candlemaking is a skill that everyone can enjoy and bring a bit of the pioneer into the '90's.

Candles are not only wonderful to enhance your own house but they also make wonderful gifts.   I have a friend who experiments all year long until she comes up with her perfect scent and color which she then mass produces as her annual Christmas gift.  The recipients love to see and smell her latest concoctions.

The very youngest can make candles by rolling sheets of beeswax around a candlewick.  Check at the local craft shop for supplies.

Reprinted with permission.