The art of candle making dates back thousands of years, and is a combination of art and science, with a dash of magic. Wax is the base, the wick is the heart, and the fragrance is the personality. If you are new to candle making, you will need to know what to look for in a wax melt. Melting your wax to the correct temperature will help you avoid some rookie mistakes such as air bubbles or a lopsided candle. The type of container you choose (from glass jars to metal tins) will also affect the burn of your candle. Once the wax starts to melt, the possibilities are endless. Every candle has a story.
Further details on the method: wick selection for a smooth, soot-free burn with a good amount of scent throw is crucial. For soy or beeswax, a braided cotton wick is a safe bet; I personally prefer wooden wicks for their pleasant crackle. (Wick centering is important: use a wick bar or a wick centering device if you can.) Pour slowly and don’t agitate the wax, and then let it cool completely in a draft-free area to avoid cracking. Then let it set, trim, and light.
Adding the fragrance is where the craft of candle making becomes a bit more of a science. You must calculate how much fragrance you are going to add so that the final product is not too strong or so that you haven’t added so much that it causes problems with the melting point of the wax. Generally you want to add between 6% and 10% of the weight of the wax in fragrance. The fragrance should be folded in to the melted wax at the correct temperature to allow the molecules to properly bond. In addition to making the candle more enjoyable, it adds the emotional attachment we have with smells. (Relaxing Lavender, Invigorating citrus, Warm Vanilla, etc) You also want to test the hot throw and the cold throw. The hot throw is how well the candle throws the scent when it’s lit, the cold throw is how well the candle throws the scent when it’s not lit.
On top of that, candle making allows one to practice sustainability and minimalism by only using natural wax alternatives like soy wax or coconut wax blends that are cleaner to burn than paraffin wax. From using recycled jars to choosing materials that are as eco-friendly as possible, candle making practices are very much in line with today’s philosophies on living an eco-friendly lifestyle. As an enjoyable hobby, candle making can also serve as a calming form of meditation as one chooses to pour candles simply as a way to disconnect from a busy world and just enjoy the simple pleasure of melting wax into beautiful, glowing candle creations. Whether you choose to create candles to use yourself, give to friends, or even sell at a local craft fair, the experience you gain in experimenting with various candle wax colors, embeds, and scents for the season will continue to grow your self confidence in your capabilities of what you are able to create and try!
Finally, once you have perfected the art of candle making, you can get creative and produce a wide range of designs from seasonal pillar candles to simple white votive candles, depending on your preference. Once the wick is lit, not only will your candle provide warm ambient light, but it will also give you a great sense of pride in the knowledge that you made it yourself. With a little time and effort, you can transform something as simple as wax and string into beautiful, useful objects.