Candle Making Tips and Techniques

DIY Mason Jar Glass Candle Holders

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Any candle, from the simplest tea light to a plain pillar or taper may be placed and secured in mason jars. Sand is the simplest medium to use to secure a candle in place.

Today, however, we focus on the mason jar. Any candle will illuminate the room, but the ambience and effect is achieved with any of the various and sundry ways you decorate the mason jar! And the real beauty of it is while the candle will be consumed and need to be replaced, you will always have the finished mason jar adding to the decor and setting the mood, time and time again.

Lace

http://adventuresofamiddlesister.blogspot.com/2012/08/
diy-mason-jar-luminaries.html

Here we have lace wrapped around a mason jar and topped off with a littel burlap and raffia. The effect is a combination of delicate and rustic. This is deceptively easy to do!

The artist who created the luminary pictured on the left used spray adhesive, but you may also paint on any watered down, white craft glue as long as it dries clear. (Use a mixture of about fifty percent water and fifty percent glue.) Cut the lace and burlap to the correct length ahead of time, then paint glue on a section of jar and attach the fabric. Keep going around the jar until finished. A raffia bow finishes the piece which should last from season to season. Just replace the tea light candle as needed.

This picture from Pinterest shows more of the same idea; the lace here is more delicate.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/334744184773534031/

http://klastyling.com/biseikatsu/?p=50544

These small jars may have held baby food. The lace looks like trim purchased in any sewing notions department, and the look is simple and elegant.

Decoupage

Decoupage ususally, I believe, refers to using the same method described above but painting both under and over items glued to the mason jar.

http://indulgy.com/search/decoupage%20drawers/page/11

These recycled glass jars are decorated

with old stamps, via decoupage.

Paint the jar with your half water,

half white craft glue mixture and

apply the stamps a desired. Then paint

a very thin finish over the stamps with

glue and water. Allow to dry overnight.

These votive holders were decoupaged with antique book paper, giving a different antique effect. What a love gift for somebody who loves to read!

http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/
2009_07_01_archive.html

More Fun

This incredible effect is achieved simply by gluing craft pebbles found in any craft store to the mason jar. Takes some patience while they dry, but what sight! Use full strenght white craft glue that dries clear for this project.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/408420259927707114/

DIY Orange Peel Candle

2014-05-05T19:58:00.003-04:00

Wow. Found this incredible idea at Scraphacker and absolutely had to share. When I first saw it, I thought somebody had used a zinc-core wick and poured wax into an orange peel. I was wrong! The "candle" is simply olive oil, and the wick is part of the orange peel itself!

http://scraphacker.com/diy-candles

The trick is to preserve the string of orange peel when you remove the orange. Scrape the orange out with a spoon, but be careful not to damage the "tail." Enjoy the aroma!

Floating Candle Ideas

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Remember, wax floats. The key to a floating cande is simply to be wider at the top than at the bottom. This is why small muffin cups are perfect for molding floating candles.

http://simplysavannahevents.blogspot.com

Once you have an assortment of floating candles, all you need are containers, water, and imagination. Just mason jars with water and candles look elegant on their own. Or include raffia or ribbons, and these below have some clear glass pebbles in the bottom of the jars.

(http://www.pinterest.com/pin/83527768062521000/)

Now, let the imagination and fun begin!

A big, fresh flower turns any floating candle into something special.

http://greengardenblog.com/2013/01/03/
diy-submerged-calla-lily-centerpiece-with-floating-candle-
wedding-green-purple-silver-flowers-diy-
reception-thurston-harshmanwedding236proofs/

http://www.squidoo.com/wedding-centerpieces-floral-arrangements-and-boutonnieres

http://mystikit.com/summertime-floating-candles/-58M#materials

Herbs and citrus fruits make lovely additions to the floating candle jar in the spring and summer. This example has fresh rosemary and cut lemons.

Rocks create a rustic or casual feel to the floating candle array.

http://www.rugsandblinds.com/new-year-centerpiece-ideas.aspx

http://www.idealhomegarden.com/holidays-crafts/seashell-craft-ideas/

The seashells create their own, unique feel perfect for a day or night on the beach.

And, of course, don't forget that floating candles make wonderful, inexpensive and ambient night time lighting!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/61576379

Coffee, Vanilla And Cinnamon Candles

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More quick and easy candle centerpiece ideas that, if you like scents, will wow your senses.

(http://www.pinterest.com/pin/73042825180448571/)

Just use a rose bowl or any glass bowl will do. Fill with coffee beans and set a vanilla scented candle firmly in the beans. A great brunch centerpiece, or anywhere in your house you want a touch of class.

(Photo Credit: Trusper.com)

This one is a little easier; you just need small containers, coffee beans and tea lights. The warmth from the tea lights will bring forth the aroma of the coffee beans. This is good in the kitchen or out on the deck or porch.

(http://www.pinterest.com/mjmensch78/inspired)

This one takes a little more work, but what a wonderful smell! In this picture, the artist tied cinnamon sticks around the candle with twine. The heat from the candle will bring forth the cinnamon aroma.

If you prefer, you may hot glue cinnamon sticks to a container (use the twine for aesthetics!) and have a reusable cinnamon container. However, the scent will not be as strong.

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(Photo Credit: Paul Maingot/Flicker)

Beautiful shot of well-displayed candles. I couldn't resist sharing!

Quick and Easy Candle Centerpieces

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Pillar candles are enchanting and make any centerpiece lovely and inviting. As long as you take theme and color into account, each and every candle centerpiece you create will be beautiful.

(Photo Credit: Honza M./Flickr)

This pillar candle inside of a rose bowl is an instant success. If you are in a hurry this is a quick way to brighten up the table for last-minute guests.

Generally, any size or shape pillar candles look good in the middle of a centerpiece. They may be single or multi-colored; the key in making a beautiful centerpiece is to ensure that the colors are all in the same family.

(Photo Credit: downing.amanda/Flickr)

Here we have a nautical theme in warm colors. Sand is poured into the rose bowl, the pillar candle set in the middle and surrounded by seashells. This lookes beautiful with or without the additional decorations around the rose bowl.

So, you get the idea. A blue candle could have been used with white and blue or darker shells. Place this in the center of your table, and all of your friends will wonder what lovely little boutique you found such a centerpiece!

(Photo Credit: Shyn Darkly/Flickr)

Instead of a rose bowl, choose a shallow bowl or dish and place any tall, thick candle in the center of it. Place your chosen objects around the candle in the dish. At this point, the possibilities are endless.

A quick and easy way to have a collection of things that go together is to purchase pre-sorted bags of potpourri. Choose a candle, dish and potpourri with complementary colors. If you want a permanenet arrangement, use hot glue to attach seashells, pinecones or large bows to the dish, leaving room in the center for replacement pillar candles. Working within the basic framework of pillar candle, dish and assortment, the possibilities are truly endless.

(Photo Credit: brianfagan/Flickr)

The point of this is that it is easy, quick, and looks incredible.

Candle Making Equipment

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Candle making is an ancient task that started as a convenient way to transport fire and light in the darkness. The art of candle making continues to evolve, and many modern-day candles are such intricate and gorgeous works that the owners put them on display and never burn them. Specific types of equipment are necessary to safely make beautiful candles.

History

The first candles were made with lard and suet. The fats were melted down and cords of fabric were dipped and saturated with the fat. Smelly and messy, they produced fire for light. Candles such as this were used by the Romans and Ancient Egyptians. Historians believe that the Ancient Egyptians also used beeswax in their candles.

Double Boiler

Wax is highly flammable, and must be melted in a double boiler. A double boiler is, essentially, two pots instead of one. One pot is designed to sit in the larger pot. To use, pour water into the bottom pot until it is about half-full, then place the smaller pot on top. The wax goes into this top pot, and will melt as the water in the bottom pot boils.

Purchasing a double boiler is a viable option, but candle makers often craft makeshift double boilers to melt wax. Old coffee cans are great containers to hold and melt wax; just place the coffee can in a large pot with water, and place the wax in the coffee can. This is a good method if you want to melt different colored waxes at the same time, because more than one coffee can will fit into a large pot. Stores that sell candle making supplies offer professional wax pouring pots. These are good quality tall containers, that can safely be placed in a large pot of water. Wax pouring pots have heat-resistant handles and a pour spout. Wax can be melted in them and poured directly into a mold.

Waxes and Wicks

There are many different types of waxes, and they all have different "melt points." A melt point is the temperature at which the wax melts. Beeswax has a high temperature melt point. This is why beeswax candles usually last longer than others. Pure beeswax, however, is quite sticky and difficult with which to work.

Paraffin wax is the most common and popular candle making wax. Paraffin wax is versatile, it can be colored, scented, and is available with different melt points. Stearin is an additive melted in with the paraffin to make the wax harder and raise its melt point.

There are also a variety of wicks available, each with different benefits and purposes. Dipping candles and many molded candles have a basic, braided fabric wick. Some wicks are flat and others are round; the bigger and rounder wicks work best in larger candles made or candles made with high melt point waxes.

Votives and small candles use a wick that is braided and wrapped around a firm piece of zinc. This enables the wick to stand up even when wet with hot wax. When using wicks with zinc, one often needs a wick clip, as well. A wick clip is a small piece of metal with a hole in the bottom. The zinc wick is threaded through the hole, the wick clip is put in the bottom of the votive mold, and the wick will stand up strait when the hot wax is poured into the mold.

Fancy Candle Ingredients

Scents and colors make candles special and interesting. The important thing is to use scents and colors that are specifically made for use in candles. Some dyes and scents are flammable.

Candle scents and candle dyes are available in craft supply stores and anywhere that you can purchase candle making equipment. Candles can also be decorated after they cool. Dye or beeswax may be melted and painted onto a finished candle. Water-based acrylic paints are safe to use on candles, but should be used for details and not to paint the entire candle. Some candle supply and craft shops sell stickers made out of wax that can be affixed to finished candles.

Candle Molds

Candle molds are made of metal, plastic, or rubber. Votive and floater cups are usually metal. Many candles are made with two-piece plastic molds. The two halves are clipped together and the hot wax is poured in. When cool, the two sides are easy to separate. Rubber candle molds are one-piece molds. Because they are soft and flexible, they can be peeled off of the candle when the wax is cool.

Wedding Candle Decoration

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Make your wedding candle that much more special by decorating it yourself. A lovingly crafted unity candle is a lifelong keepsake.

Even if you have never worked with candles before, there are ways you can personalize your unity candle. Some of these techniques are easy and take less time, others require more planning and skill.

Ribbons and Bows for a Keepsake Wedding Candle

The easiest way to decorate your wedding candle is with ribbons. Choose ribbons in your wedding colors, and adorn the unity candle with at least two different colors. If you cannot find one big multi-color ribbon, use narrower ribbons of different colors. Wrap at least three ribbons around the candle, the different color in the middle and tie in multiple bows.

If you do find a thick multi-color ribbon that matches your wedding colors, use that and create a large, round multi-colored bow.

Tie the same ribbon(s) around the taper candles that you will use to light the unity candle, but with smaller bows.

To secure the bows to the candles, melt a little paraffin wax in a double boiler. Dip a paintbrush into the wax and quickly dab wax on the candle where you want the bow to stick. Immediately, press the bow on. If the wax cools before you press on the bow, try again.

Another option is to attach a photograph of you and your intended to your wedding candle. Purchase sticky backed photo paper that you can print photos on from a laserjet printer. Cut the photograph into an oval, and center it on candle.

Overdipping

If you are crafty and want to do more with your candle(s), the overdipping technique opens up new possibilities. Overdipping covers items such as dried flowers with one or two coats of clear wax.

Attach lace, dried flowers, your wedding invitation or items of your choosing to the candle using the above described technique. Melt a little wax in a double boiler and use drops of it to attach items to candle. Attach the edges of the, for example, wedding invitation so that it is flat against the candle.

Supplies Needed to Overdip Candles

Wax pouring pot or old coffee can,
Large pot for bottom of double boiler,
Wooden spoon,
Clear candle wax,
Kitchen thermometer,
Wedding invitation, dried flowers, etc.,
Old newspapers and grease-proof paper.

All candle making supplies and tools should be separate from food making supplies and tools.

Pour water into large pot, and place candle wax in wax pouring pot or old coffee can. This is your double boiler. Melt the wax and bring to 205 degrees F. Check the temperature of the wax with a candy thermometer.

Dip your prepared candle for three seconds, and take out for a minute or two. Dip one more time for three seconds, then set aside to cool.

Either let the wax cool in your wax pouring pot, or pour onto grease-proof paper for later use. To store wax in paper, place grease-proof paper in a large bowl and pour in the hot wax.

Candle Making Safety Notes

Please, always melt wax in a double boiler. Wax is highly flammable and any other method of melting is unsafe. Also, please keep candle making supplies and utensils separate from food making supplies and utensils.

Never throw melted wax down the sink or put wax supplies in the dishwasher. The wax will cool and clog the drains.

Use Outdoor Citronella Candles as a Natural Mosquito Repellent.

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Mosquitoes are the uninvited guests that crash many an outdoor party. Neither wishing to go inside nor be attacked by tiny predators, people continue to search for ways to deter these insect pests.

Mosquito repellents that contain Deet are, unfortunately, toxic (which is related to why they kill bugs efficiently.) The problems with toxic pesticides is that they poison people, pets, and the environment as well as bugs.

Natural bug repellent sprays and lotions, which often include citronella oil as an active ingredient, have such a strong scent that they are unpleasant to wear. The Environment Protection Agency notes that while citronella oil is non-toxic, it can cause skin irritation.

Insect repellent candles, lanterns and torches infused with natural, non-toxic bug repellents are a green option. They do not need to be applied to the skin.

Citronella Oil

Citronella oil is derived from a tropical Asian grass by the same name and is quite similar to Lemon Grass. Both grasses are credited with insect-repellent properties. Citronella Grass has bluish-green, lemony-scented leaves.

Citronella oil is the active ingredient in many natural mosquito repellents, and the most popular active ingredient in bug repellent candles. Citronella is credited with repelling mosquitoes, no-see-ums and fleas, among other insect pests.

Non-Toxic Mosquito Yard Repellents

The definition of "repellent" is simply to deter from approach, or to make go away. A product labeled as a mosquito repellent may not be claiming to injure or kill the mosquito, only to deter the mosquito from approaching.

Citronella candles, citronella torches, citronella oil lamps and lanterns all emit the characteristic citrus scent of citronella oil when burning. This scent is an insect repellent; it does not injure or kill the bugs. Instead, the scent of citronella confuses the mosquito, masks the smell of humans and animals, and interferes with the mosquito's ability to find a target to bite.

The keys to successfully repelling insect pests at an outdoor party include:

Using strong scented candles or torches.
Having enough candles to spread around the area.
Have large enough candles or enough candles that they will last as long as people want to be outside.

Citronella Candles

Jar candles, also called container candles, make the best citronella candles because no wax is wasted. Instead of dripping down the candle, all of the wax remains in the container and eventually gets burned. The longer the citronella oil infused wax burns, the longer the bugs won't bite.

One large, metal bucket filled with citronella oil infused wax and three wicks may work for a small outdoor gathering. For a bigger gathering or to keep mosquitoes at bay in a large outdoor area, it is more economical to spread around votive size or tea-light citronella candles.

Instead of setting citronella candles on the outdoor picnic table, set numerous candles around the perimeter of the party. Doing this creates a "ring of protection" around people.

Candle Making

There are many levels of quality of citronella candles on the market. Those who enjoy making their own candles can best control the amount and quality of the citronella oil that goes into their bug repellent candles. When poured into decorative glass jars, these candles add to the ambiance and decor of the backyard just as much as to the comfort of the guests.

How to Make Chanuka Candles With Beeswax Sheets

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Children and adults alike enjoy making their own Hanukkah candles out of beeswax honeycomb sheets.

Making candles is a wonderful Hanukkah craft. Hand rolled candles made from nicely textured honeycomb beeswax sheets is a fun way to create beautiful Hanukkah candles. The whole family will enjoy making sets of Hanukkah candles together before the holiday.

Hanukkah Candles

To celebrate Hanukkah, each person needs 44 candles. For this project, each person will need 8 honeycomb beeswax candle sheets.

Hanukkah candles must burn for at least one hour. These 6-inch-tall beeswax candles will burn longer than the requisite hour.

Popular colors for Hanukkah candles include natural golden honey, royal blue, and white. Beeswax candle making sheets come in a wide variety of colors to suit many tastes.

Beeswax Candle Sheets and Candle Wick

Beeswax sheets are most often sold as 8-inch by 16-inch rectangles. The template at the bottom of the page shows how to cut the beeswax sheets.

Each sheet will produce 8 Hanukkah candles, each is 6-inches tall, and one 2-inch-tall strip of beeswax. The leftover strip of wax is perfect for rolling a votive size candle, among other things.

Hand rolled beeswax candles burn best with thick cotton braided wick.

Hand Rolled Hanukkah Candle Making Supplies

To make 44 Hanukkah candles, gather:

6 beeswax sheets
Thick cotton braid wick
Piece of cardboard 8" x 16"
Ruler
Pencil
Permanent marker
Sharp craft knife
Heat gun.

Template for Hand Rolled Beeswax Candle Making

Using a ruler and a pencil, draw the template (found at the bottom of this page) on a piece of cardboard.

The top horizontal line is 2 inches from the top of the cardboard rectangle.
That leaves 6 inches in height for each Hanukkah candle.
Each piece of wax per candle is 2 inches wide.
There are 8 Hanukkah candles on the template.

When template is complete, go over pencil lines with a dark, permanent marker.

Making Beeswax Candles for Hanukkah
The following steps can be used to create these attractive handmade Hanukkah candles.

Place beeswax honeycomb sheet on top of cardboard template.
Holding beeswax sheet in place, carefully slice the sheet over the lines with a craft knife.
Cut pieces of wick 6.5 inches in length.
Lay wick on vertical side of cut honeycomb sheet.
Briefly warm with a heat gun. Be very careful not to over-do this step; do not melt the wax.
Starting at the wick, gently roll the wax around the wick so it becomes a candle.

This is a Jewish candle craft that is suitable and safe for children, though young children should have their wicks cut for them, and young children should not handle a heat gun.

Save the extra strip of 2" x 16" beeswax sheet to make a votive or for havdalah candle making.

Easy Container Candles

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Choosing the right container to pour candles into is half the fun. Candle holders, mason jars, and ceramic pots add much to the personality, beauty and ambiance of candles.

A container candle is simply a candle poured directly into the container. Once you have mastered the "tricks of the trade," a world of creative possibilities opens up. There is a breathtaking array of votive candle holders and candle cups in any shop that sells candles and candle holders.

The possibilities do not end with holders designed for candles. Chandlers enjoy a wide array of possibilities such as mason jars and ceramic flower pots. As long as a container is made of a non-flammable and heat resistant material, a candle can be poured and burned safely in it.

Wood will burn and plastic will melt, but pyrex, ceramic, and stone make wonderful containers for pouring candles into. Metal is not heat resistant. While metal is a good material for candlesticks, it is not the best for container candles.

This hand-painted votive container is
perfect for a poured container candle.

Supplies Needed

Wick clips,
Wire core wick,
Pencils (optional),
Paraffin Wax,
Candle scents,
Wax dye discs,
Containers,
Double boiler,
Kitchen thermometer,
Kitchen scale,
Measuring bowl,
Wooden spoon,
Wicking needle,
Old newspapers and greaseproof paper.

Wire core wicks are the easiest to use when making container candles, because the wire center enables the wick to stand up by itself after the hot wax has been poured. Choose either zinc core wicks or paper core wicks. Paper core wicks are not as sturdy as zinc core, but the flames they create are bigger and brighter.

Transparent containers should be heated up before pouring wax into them. This prevents a sloppy finish when the wax pulls away from the glass as it cools. If hot wax is poured into a cold mason jar, the finished candle will have an uneven, sloppy look. Hot wax poured into a warm container will cool with the glass, and leave an even finish. Before pouring hot wax, place pyrex containers or mason jars on a baking tray in an oven set at 180 degrees F. Let them warm for at least twenty minutes.

Cut pieces of wick and thread each one through a wick clip. Center the wick clip in the bottom of the container, and make sure the wick is strait. If using paper core wicks, cut them longer and wrap the top around a pencil. Rest the pencil on top of the container; this will hold the wick in place.

Place your measuring bowl on the kitchen scale and set the scale to zero. Measure a pound of paraffin wax.

Heat the water in the double boiler. Put a small piece of candle dye in the top of the double boiler and allow to melt.

Add the pound of paraffin wax and heat the mixture to 199 degrees F, stirring gently with a wooden spoon. Use a kitchen thermometer to monitor the temperature of the wax. Add about an ounce of liquid scent to the pound of melted paraffin wax. Continue to stir gently with spoon.

Carefully pour the hot wax into each container, just as tall as you want the candle. Tap the sides of the container gently to release air bubbles. Center the wicks, and leave the candles to cool for an hour.

Candles poured into natural clay holders.

When you return, you will notice a well has formed in the middle of the candle. This happens because wax shrinks as it cools. Take your wicking needle or strong piece of wire (an old piece of coat hanger works nicely) and poke a hole in the middle of the well. Reheat your wax to 199 degrees F. Carefully pour the wax into the well. Fill the candle without letting hot wax seep between the candle and the inside of the glass container. Wax seepage will show and make the side of the container candle marred and ugly. This is not an issue, however, if using opaque containers such as ceramic flower pots.

Wait another hour. When you return, you may or may not want to repeat the last two steps again. When the candles are cool, you are free to decorate the outside of the container with artist's acrylic paints, or hot glue and ribbons, buttons, or mosaic tiles. You may also leave them as is for a simple and refined finish.

Make Scented Votive Candles

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Votive candles are easy to make and known for their lovely, strong scents. This project is perfect for the beginning candle maker.

Making your own scented votive candles opens the door to create countless scent and color combinations. Votive candles are a good choice for beginners because they are easier to mold than larger candles, and making votives gives new chandlers the opportunity to experiment and learn on a small scale. What lovelier gift to give than a lovingly hand-crafted candle?

Candle Making Supplies and Candle Making Equipment

Metal votive cups
Wick clips
Wire core wick
Paraffin wax
Candle scents
Wax dye discs
Double boiler
Kitchen thermometer
Kitchen scale
Measuring bowl
Wooden spoon
Wicking needle
Old newspapers and greaseproof paper
Stearin or beeswax (optional)

Wire core wicks are the easiest to use when making votive candles, floating candles, and tea light candles because the wire center enables the wick to stand up by itself after the hot wax has been poured. Lead core wicks used to be popular, but have been replaced by zinc core wicks for safety concerns. There are also paper core wicks. Paper core wicks are not as sturdy as zinc core, but the flames they create are bigger and brighter. If you are new to candle making, choose zinc core wick for your votive candles. It is the easiest to work with.

Candle Making

Cut pieces of wick longer than you think you need; you can always trim them later. For each votive candle, thread a piece of wick through a wick clip. Center the wick clip in the bottom of the votive cup, and make sure your wick is standing up strait and tall in the middle of the votive cup.

Place your measuring bowl on the kitchen scale, and set the scale to zero. Measure your candle ingredients into the bowl, such as a pound of paraffin and two ounces of stearin.

Always melt wax in a double boiler. If using stearin or beeswax, melt one or two ounces first. Melt a small piece of candle dye in with it, and stir with wooden spoon. Now add a pound of paraffin wax. Bring the mixture up to 199 degrees F, and stir gently.

Add 1.5 ounces of liquid scent for every pound of paraffin. Stir gently with spoon.

Carefully pour the hot wax into each votive cup. Fill the cup, but be careful not to overflow. Tap the sides of the votive cup gently to release air bubbles. Center the wicks, and leave the candles to cool for an hour.

When you return, you will notice a well has formed in the middle of the candle. This happens because wax shrinks as it cools. Take your wicking needle or strong piece of wire (an old piece of coat hanger works nicely) and poke a hole in the middle of the well.

Reheat the remaining wax in the double boiler to 199 degrees F. Carefully pour this wax into the well in the votive candle. Try to fill the candle without letting hot wax seep between the candle and the inside of the votive cup. (If this happens, it will be difficult to remove the votive candle from the mold.) Leave for another hour.

When you return, you may or may not want to repeat the last two steps again. In any case, when the candles are cool, place them in your freezer for ten to twenty minutes. When you remove them from the freezer, the candles should slide right out of their molds.

Candle Making Tips and Advice

Many kitchen items, such as scales and double boilers, work perfectly for candle making. Please always keep candle tools and food preparation tools separate.

Wax can be stored in the double boiler or poured onto grease-proof paper for later use. Never pour hot wax down the drain, and never wash candle making tools in the dishwasher. The wax will clog.

How to Decorate Candles With Dried Flowers

2011-07-31T11:32:00.001-04:00

Back when I did business as "Soap, Card, and Candle," one of my most popular products was an elegant votive with three, evenly spaced dried stattice flowers around the candle. The votives were made with 100 percent pure, white beeswax, decorated then overdipped in more beeswax to set the design.

This is a craft with endless creative possibilities, but beginners will have an easier time working with smaller candles. As you hone your skills, you will be able beautifully embellish larger candles with the variety of leaves, grasses, and flowers that nature offers.

Candle Supplies and Equipment

Votive candles
Purple stattice flowers
Flower press or heavy books and newspapers
Double boiler
Empty coffee cans or wax pouring pot
Candy thermometer
Wooden spoon
Paraffin wax
Old teaspoons
Clothes iron
Oven mitt
Greaseproof paper (wax or baking parchment paper)
Heat gun
Flowers

Dried Flower Crafts

Purchase purple stattice from a flower stand or flower shop. The flowers must be pressed and dried for a at least one week before use. Moist flowers will decay and ruin a candle.

A flower press consists of two blocks of wood screwed one on top of the other, and pieces of absorbent paper in between. White construction paper works well; old newspaper is also acceptable. To use, place the flowers in single layers between sheets of paper. Place the stack between the wood blocks and tighten the screws. Leave this for at least a week in a dry place.

Alternatively, arrange the stattice in single layers between sheets of newspaper, and place the stack between two heavy, hard-bound books such as encyclopedias. Leave this set up in a dry place for at least a week.

Votive Candles

Purchase plain, white votive candles to decorate.

Candle Decoration

Remove the dried stattice flowers from the flower press. Heat the iron and place the handles of old teaspoons against it.

Hold a stattice flower in place on the side of the votive candle. Wear you oven mitt -- the spoons are hot! Pick up spoon by its bowl, and gently press the hot spoon handle on the stattice to melt the wax and make the flower stick to the candle.

Do this a total of three times around the candle.

As the spoon handle cools, wipe it with a rag and place it back on the iron to heat. You may work more quickly by using more than one spoon. One spoon heats up while you are using the other.

Candle Dipping

Dip the votives in the same type of wax from which they are made. If you decorate paraffin candles, overdip in paraffin. If you decorate beeswax candles, overdip in beeswax.

Please remember to be safe. Wax is highly flammable and must be melted in a double boiler. Any other method of melting wax can result in fire and is dangerous.

Place wax in the top of a double boiler, cold water in the bottom, and heat. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon while you heat the wax. Monitor the temperature with a candy thermometer and bring the wax up to 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

Heat the votive candle very briefly with a heat gun. This prevents air bubbles forming between the hot and cold wax. Air bubbles look ugly on the finished product.

Hold the votive candle by the wick. Dip into the hot wax for three seconds and remove. Wait thirty seconds, dip one more time for three seconds. Set aside to cool.

Kitchen Tips

Pour unused wax onto grease-proof paper to store until next time.

Kitchen supplies used for candle making must never be used for anything else, and should be kept separate from food utensils and appliances.

Never put candle making equipment in the dishwasher; the wax will clog. Never pour hot wax down a drain because it will clog.

Hand Rolled Beeswax Taper Candles With Two Colors

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Make a creative version of traditional hand-rolled beeswax candles. Two color candles are tapered and have a strip of contrasting color swirling around the candle. Use the same round, cotton-braid wick in all hand rolled beeswax candles; each different size burns as beautifully as the next.

Photo credit: Beth Taylor

Hand Rolled Beeswax Candle Supplies

Two 8" x 16" beeswax sheets of two different colors
Heat gun
Cutting mat
Craft knife
Round, cotton-braid candle wick.

Blow up the template to the right so it measures 8"x16". Trace onto a piece of cardboard with a permanent marker.

Place the template on your cutting mat, and place the one beeswax sheet on the template. Lets say you are using blue and red; cut the blue sheet first. Carefully cut the beeswax sheet along the template lines with your craft knife.

Do the same with the red sheet of beeswax.

Take Blue A and Red B. Heat them gently with the heat gun. Be careful, they are thin and will melt easily. You want to warm them, not melt them.

Place Red B just over the diagonal edge of Blue A and gently press them together. Warm beeswax sheets stick together easily.

Cut a 13" piece of wick. Press wick onto the straight edge of Blue A.

Gently roll the wax around the wick. Roll evenly so that the bottom of the candle is flat. This sounds easy but it may take some practice.

With two sheets of beeswax, you will end up with two blue candles with red swirl and two red candles with blue swirl. Don't throw away the leftover C pieces. Roll each individual C into a birthday or hanukka candle. Alternatively, attach the edges of C pieces together and roll around a wick to make a shorter candle, suitable for use as am emergency candle or Shabbat candle.

Hand Rolled Candle Tips

If you roll cold beeswax sheets into candles, you will end up with air bubbles in the rolls of the candle and possibly cracked wax. Air holes cause a candle to burn quickly and cracked wax is ugly. A heat gun is a wise investment if you like to make these candles. Do not use a hair dryer; a heat gun is a much more efficient tool and will not blow things off of your workspace.

If the wax is too hot, just wait a moment for it to cool off before handling.

A rubber, grease-proof cutting mat is the best surface to roll candles on because the warm wax will not stick to it.

Bloom is a natural substance that develops on beeswax candles over time. Bloom looks like a white powder. If you use your beautiful beeswax candles for display and they develop bloom, simply dust bloom off gently.

Embossing heat guns work well for warming beeswax sheets.

Making Taper Candles at Home

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With the same basic method, create an endless variety of colors and candle scents combinations. Try making pastel candles in the Spring then use deep, rich colors in the Winter. Thanksgiving tapers are nice when scented with pumpkin spice, while Summer candles often smell like fresh flowers.

Safety First

Wax is highly flammable and must be melted in a double boiler. Any other method of melting wax can result in fire and is dangerous. Candle making is a fun and rewarding activity as long as the wax is handled properly.
Kitchen supplies used for candle making must never be used for anything else, and should be kept separate from food utensils and appliances.

Never put candle making equipment in the dishwasher; the wax will clog. Never pour hot wax down a drain.

Candle Making Supplies and Equipment

* Wax pouring pot
* Old coffee cans
* Water pot
* Candy thermometer
* Wooden spoon
* Paraffin wax
* Wick
* Place to hang warm candles
* Candle color
* Candle scent
* Sharp knife
* Greaseproof paper (wax or baking parchment paper)

The Method

1. Break up wax into pieces that fit into coffee cans or your wax pouring pot. Large blocks of wax can be placed in bags and broken with a hammer.
2. Pour cold water into your large water pot. This is the bottom of your double boiler.
3. Place the coffee cans or wax pouring pot into the water pot. Place the water pot onto your stove and turn on heat. Stir the wax gently as it melts.
4. Bring the wax to about 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Lower or turn off the heat; continue to monitor the temperature of the wax. If it becomes too cool, your candles will turn out blotchy and lumpy.

Prime Wicks

1. In order to make twelve inch hand-dipped taper candles, cut pieces of wick fourteen inches long. Always have an extra two inches of wick to hold.
2. Hold the piece of wick in the middle, and dip both ends into the hot wax for one minute. Remove from wax, pull the bottoms gently to straighten the wick, and hang to cool. Prime at least a dozen wicks at a time.

Making Hand Dipped Candles

1. Maintain the temperature of the wax at 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Add any candle colors and candle scents now. Be conservative at first; experience will eventually teach the perfect amount to add. Too much color or scent can ruin a candle.
2. Dip each set for three seconds, hang and let them cool for a couple of minutes. Continue this process until the candles are the desired thickness. Make six to twelve sets at a time and let some pairs cool while dipping others.
3. It is fine to add more wax when the amount in the wax pouring pot gets low. Bring the temperature up to 160 degrees Fahrenheit before continuing to dip candles, and add a little more color and scent if necessary.
4. When the candles are thick enough, raise the temperature of the wax to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Dip each set for three seconds, and hang to cool. This will result in a lovely, smooth and shiny finish.

Later, trim the bottom of the candles with a sharp knife.

Either allow the leftover wax to cool in the coffee cans or wax pouring pots, or pour the wax onto grease-proof paper store until next time.