How to make candles with your own hands - a list of materials, general recommendations and a variety of ideas.
Candles creating a special cosiness and atmosphere are what you need for an autumn home evening. And do-it-yourself candles - all the more! In addition, a handmade candle or a set of several is a wonderful gift.
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General recommendations for making DIY candles
You will need:
- wax or paraffin - for example, simple household candles are suitable or you can use unfinished candles that were already in use, you can also buy material for candles in needlework stores (see photo above);
- cotton thread or floss for the wick (if desired, a weight for the end of the wick, sold there);
- pan and water for a water bath;
- capacity for melting wax;
- candle molds (if you plan to remove the candle from the mold afterwards, you can take the mold from plastic, silicone, and so on, paying attention to the fact that the neck of the mold does not have a base, otherwise the candle cannot be pulled out; if you want to leave the candle in form, take a glass or aluminum jar with a wide enough neck so that it is convenient to light the wick);
- wooden sticks for fastening wicks (for example, wooden chopsticks or pencils are suitable);
- dyes - if you want to make colored candles (do not use gouache, watercolors and food colors, it is better to take colored wax crayons or buy special dyes in a handicraft store);
- flavors - if you want the candle to smell pleasantly when burning (you can take natural ones - coffee beans, cloves, orange zest, or aromatic oil);
- knife;
- paper or foil to protect the work surface.
DIY do-it-yourself candlestick
The procedure is as follows:
Step 1
Protect the work surface with paper or foil.
Step 2
Knife candles or paraffin with a knife, place in a container in a steam bath and melt, stirring with a stick (try to prevent water from entering the paraffin).
Step 3
Add color and flavor and mix with a stick.
Step 4
Tie a knot at the end of the wick or fasten the weight, tie the other end to the stick, lower the wick into the candle container and pour in melted paraffin / wax.
Step 5
Wait for the candle to solidify and cut off the wick, leaving the tail at 6-7 mm. If necessary, remove the candle from the mold - or leave it in the mold.
Photo: theprairiehomestead.com, somethingturquoise.com
Gold and silver vases for candles using decoupage technique
And now - ideas and options for do-it-yourself candles:
1. Candles with spices
Photo: thehappierhomemaker.com
A great option for the fall - "special" candles with spices! In this case, ground cinnamon and cloves are used, plus vanilla extract. Add spices when the wax or paraffin has already melted well, mix with a stick and then pour into a mold.
2. Candles with coffee beans
Photo: helloglow.co
Coffee beans at the same time serve as the decor and flavor of candles. In the same way, you can add cloves to the candles.
3. Colorful candles using wax pencils
Photo: brit.co
Use a different color pencil to tint each layer. Pour the next layer when the previous one has frozen. To make diagonal layers, place the containers on the stand (for example, you can put an eraser under one edge of the jar).
4. Dried flowers as a decor
Photo: adventures-in-making.com
In a transparent jar with a candle, you can add small dried flowers as a decor. Gently place the flowers in the bowl when you fill half the paraffin. Then add the remainder.
5. Lavender candles
Photo: town-n-country-living.com
Another option for using dried flowers, in this case, lavender: chop the dried flowers directly into wax or paraffin before pouring it into a mold and mix.
6. Labels for different flavors
Photo: bonniechristine.com
If you make a lot of candles with different flavors, it’s good to make labels for each candle jar, so as not to mix the smells.
7. Candles in cans of tea
Photo: sugarandcharm.com
A good option as forms for home candles - tin or aluminum tea cans. If the jar is quite large, make two wicks in the candle. Jars with candles can be closed with lids for storage, and when the candles burn out, reuse containers.
8. Candles in glasses
Photo: onecrazymom.com
Candles in champagne glasses or in wine glasses are an original option, for example, for a special occasion.
9. Candles in cups
Photo: sweetcayenne.com
Candles in cups - very cozy and homely.
10. Shell shape
Photo: sheknows.com
As a form for candles, you can use shells - most importantly, make sure that they do not have holes. For such small candles, it is convenient to take wicks from small candles in aluminum (such, for example, are sold in sets in hardware stores).
11. Mini candles in the caps
Photo: popsugar.com
Another option for mini candles: bottle caps! Remove rubber pads from them, stick the wicks to the bottom with paper tape, protect the table well (for example, with foil) and pour wax or paraffin with a spoon or ladle with a spout.
12. A candle under a cover - as a gift
Photo: somethingturquoise.com
If you want to make a candle as a gift, you can "place" it in a jar, and close it with a lid and paper with a picture or inscription on top, replacing it with a postcard. Also, under an aluminum or paper cover, such a candle will be better stored.
