DIY Candle Making

Tough economic times provide the opportunity for individuals to reflect on crafts of the past that may help to eliminate some of the costs of today. One such craft is making homemade candles. The process is relatively simple when making a standard paraffin wax candle without any scent. This is the most economical type of candle to make. For those individuals who enjoy a scented candle. Add a few drops of essence oil to the paraffin after it is melted. Prior to beginning the project, collect wax covered paper milk or cottage cheese containers to use as candle molds.

Supplies:

Newspaper
Wax covered paper milk or cottage cheese container
Cotton string or 4-ply 100 percent cotton yarn
Large paper clip
Scissors
Pencil or dowel, long enough to reach across the wax covered paper milk or cottage cheese container
Two tin cans, one larger than the other (a large and small coffee can works well for this process)
Water
One pound of paraffin wax
Old crayons
Oven mitts

Instructions:

Step 1 – Cut the tops off the wax covered paper milk or cottage cheese containers so they are three different heights. Place the containers on a newspaper covered work surface.

Step 2 – Cut three pieces of cotton string of 4-ply 100 percent cotton yarn 6-inches longer than the height of each container. Hook a large paper clip to one end. Tie the opposite end of the string to the center of a pencil or dowel. Place the pencil or dowel over the center of one container. Drop the paper clip to the bottom of the container. Make sure the cotton string is in the center of the candle. This is used as the wick. Repeat the process with the remaining two wax covered paper containers.

Step 3 – Cut the 1-pound paraffin wax block into three sections. Place one section in the small can. Place the small can inside the large can. Fill the large can half full of water. Place the large can on the stove. Turn on the heat at a low boil.

Step 4 – Place a crayon or several crayons into the container with the paraffin wax. The crayon will melt along with the wax to create a colored candle.

Step 5 – Turn off the stove when the wax is completely melted.

Step 6 – Carefully lift the container of wax from the boiling water. Pour the melted wax into the wax covered paper candle mold. Make sure not to bump the pencil or dowel with the container. Reposition the pencil or dowel if needed. This will keep the candle wick in the center of the candle.

Step 7 – Do not touch the container! It is very hot. Allow the wax to cool a minimum of 3 hours before removing the waxed paper container mold.

Step 8 – Cut the wick so it is approximately ½-inch from the top of the candle. Remove the remaining piece of string from the pencil or dowel.

Step 9 – Repeat the process for each candle.

Optional: Make a layered candle of different colored wax by filling the bottom 1/3rd of the container with one color of wax. Allow the wax to harden. Repeat the process with two other colors.


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