One of my resolutions for 2012 is to be fearless in my crafting! I want to tackle the crafts I've been longing to try, but don't because they are messy or difficult. I've always wanted to try making candles-- so here I go!
I want to take a minute to say that making candles can be dangerous-- so you will need to read all of your directions from your packaging before you start! The directions I followed might not be appropriate for your project if you are using different materials. If your supplies didn't come with directions-- use Google to find suitable directions to make your candle and to learn about candle making safety. If you are under 18, please ask an adult to supervise your project.
Here are my supplies. I used soy wax, a candle thermometer, vanilla scent (the white block), pink dye, a candle vase, and a pre-waxed wick. Cover your work space with newspaper. It gets a little messy!!
A double boiler would be a great thing to have for candle making. I made my own by filling a small pot with about 2 inches of water and placing a metal bowl over it. I boiled the water and then reduced the heat to simmer and melt the wax.
I have a strange phobia about crafting with things that come into contact with food-- so I picked up my little metal bowl at the thrift store for fifty cents. I was extra careful to not have any wax come into contact with my pot that I use to cook with. After you melt your wax according to the directions on your package, chop up your fragrance and dye. I heated my wax to 175 degrees F.
Add the dye first and then the fragrance.
Use oven mits and remove your melted wax from the heat source. I placed the hot bowl on newspaper-- but if you have fancy countertops, you will probably want to use a pot holder or something to protect your surface from the hot bowl. Allow the wax to cool to the temperature that your directions recommend. I let my wax cool to 135 degrees F.
I forgot to pick up the sticky, tacky stuff that secures your wick to the bottom of the candle glass. Not wanting to run out to the store, I used skewer sticks. One to wrap the extra wick around and another to keep the wick centered and touching the bottom of the glass.
When your wax cools to the right temperature, pour it in the glass. Remove the skewer stick that was keeping the wick in place and leave the skewer stick that the wick is actually wrapped around. Allow the candle to cool for 30-60 minutes. Stick the skewer stick all the way into the candle right by the wick. Then heat up your wax to pouring temperature and pour a little bit into the hole. You just want to pour enough to cover the hole.
Let your candle cool for 4-6 more hours, trim your wick to 1/4", and let your masterpiece shine!
