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How to Make Container Candles
by Dolores Attwood

Description: Homemade candles can be made from a variety of containers you have laying around the house.

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Basically, a container candle is a non-flammable container filled with the appropriate wax and a suitable wick.

You can use almost anything as a container when making your candles.

So for starters, open your kitchen cupboards and have a good look for unusual jars, glasses, coffee cups or small salad bowls.

Even pop cans with their tops removed will do. Though if you choose to use pop cans for your container candles you might want to decorate the cans a little! What this goes to show you however is how the only thing holding you back from wonderful container candles is your own imagination.

In fact, I remember a friend of mine even used a seashell as a container to match a decorating theme in her bathroom.

Because your candle is in a container we can generally use a lower melt point wax which helps with scent retention and enhances the scent throw.

They burn well all the way across, last a long time and most importantly they don't drip.

Equipment Tips for Container Candles

Don't forget, as we discussed in the Container Candles Introduction, it is very important that you choose non-flammable containers, so remember - no plastic or wood containers.

Maybe try, old jelly jars, small drinking glasses, or perhaps even an old used large Marmite jar.

When making container candles, in fact when making any type of candles, wax temperature during the melting process is very important.

So make sure you have a specialized wax thermometer or use a candy or cooking thermometer as long as it has the appropriate temperature ranges on it.

The thermometer needs to register temperatures between 100F and 300F for candle making, but this is completely dependent on the type of wax you choose to use. Full details relating to a wax's melt point will be included with the wax when you purchase it.

Container Candles are a great first candle for the beginner candle maker and they are the type I always recommend to my new students.

Troubleshooting Tip for Container Candles

Air bubbles in your poured wax?

To minimize the amount of air bubbles slowly stir your wax as it melts and pour it slowly into your mold or container. Also try and tip your container slightly as you pour. Don't forget to tap the sides of your container to encourage air bubbles to escape.

Do you find your candle is pitting?

Small pitting or pock marks in candle making are usually caused by;

(a) you sprayed too much mold release into your mold;

(b) you poured your wax at too high a temperature.

So the solutions are;

(a) before pouring your wax, wipe out your mold leaving only a thin film of product, and;

(b) lower your wax pouring temperature by monitoring your thermometer more closely.

If Container Candles sound like the type of candle you would like to be making then please refer to my eBook, How to Make Candles. It is jam-packed full of candle making tip and tricks, as well as easy to follow step-by-step instructions that will guide you through making your very first candles. As well as serving as a very handy reference tool for future use.

Dolores Attwood, the author of 5 books for candle makers and self-taught candle maker of 20 years can teach you how to make beautiful candles using a simple step-by-step system. http://www.makeyourcandles.com

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