It’s easier than ever to open your own online store and candles are the hot commodity right now.
Scented candle making has become a popular way to build a business inventory and gain customer’s attention but they need to be quality products with aromas that last.
There’s nothing more annoying than choosing a wonderful candle aroma to sweeten the home and lighting it to find there’s barely any scent.
Keep reading for candle making tips to help you create quality projects for yourself or to sell.
Candle Making Preparations
You’ll want to make sure you have all the supplies you need before starting the process. It’s annoying to get partway through making candles and realizing you don’t have the essential oil or wax you wanted to use.
It’s a good idea to make a shopping list and to do a little research so that you can save time and money by learning from others wisdom.
There are some tips that will help you save money when it comes to supplies. You may want to buy bulk candle tins or bulk wax to get a lower price if you know you’re going to be making several candles.
You can get sampler packs of essential oils that may be more economical than buying a large bottle of each one. This will also allow you to experiment with scents so that you can come up with unique blends.
Supplies for Candle Making
Some of the basic supplies you’ll need to make candles include:
- Candle making or beeswax
- Wicks and anchors
- Candle tins or containers
- Essential oil
- Coloring or Candle appropriate dye (if the wax is not colored)
- A double boiler pot or wax melting pot
- Wax melting hot plate or stove
- Labels
These supplies are available at craft stores, online, or box stores. You may even find candle making kits that contain all of the supplies needed in one box. Many of the supplies needed can be found sold separately at discount or dollar stores.
Types of Wax
There are several different types of wax you can use, each creating their own type of candle experience.
- Beeswax
- Paraffin
- Soy
- Gel
- Palm
Some of these options come in various forms. Beeswax, for example, can be bought in sheets, bricks, flakes, and other options.
The kind of candle you want to make will help you determine which type of wax to use.
Prepare Your Work Area
You’ll want to make sure that you clear the area of any clutter so that you can safely and efficiently create your wax masterpieces.
You don’t want to have to be carrying hot pots of wax across the room and will need lots of space to be able to pour it into the waiting containers.
It’s a good idea to get all your pets and little ones out of danger before pouring several containers of hot wax. It’s better to be safe than sorry. If kids are helping you can always buy oven mitts and take proper kitchen safety measures so no one gets burnt.
If hot wax does end up splashing on someone’s hand or skin, run it under cold water immediately and then you’ll be able to peel the wax easily off without peeling skin.
Get Everything Ready to Go
You’ll want to use a double boiler or wax melting pot that is specifically for your candle making. You can purchase a wax melting pot that is similar to a small crockpot. An electric fondue pot or small crockpot could be used.
Some people do melt wax in the microwave but we do not recommend this as it does not heat the wax evenly, is unpredictable in heating and can more easily lead to burns.
Get your containers or molds ready so when the wax is ready to pour you don’t have to leave it unattended to set them up.
You’ll want to have the wick secured to the bottom of the container. This can be done by using a wick anchor and a small drop of hot glue, a glue dot, or liquid cement (a small drop of melted wax could also work but isn’t the most ideal).
Candle Scents and Colors
If you’re making more than one color or different scented candle, make sure you have a way to divide the wax so that each has the right ratio of wax, color, and scent.
Have each dye and oil ready to use and make sure that they are appropriate for candles. Some dyes and essential oils are not meant to be heated.
If you’re planning on mixing different oils to create your own scent, you may want to try it and have the ratio of each oil worked out before you have a pot full of hot wax slowly hardening.
When adding scent to your candle wax you can either add it in layers to your candle by pouring some wax, letting it harden a bit and then adding fragrance oil a few drops at a time before adding more wax and repeating.
Or you can add the fragrance to the melted wax (about 10 drops per candle)
Be Creative
You are only limited by your imagination and if you’re looking to sell your candles you’ll need it to set your products apart from all the other products out there.
Look at cookie, cake or soap molds for ideas or you can find vintage, unique and interesting containers at thrift stores and help upcycle used items while creating a fabulous new one. Make sure any container you do choose to use is safe to use with heat.
Some companies have even added trinkets and treasures to their candles to be uncovered as it melts. Be sure anything you use is not flammable and is safe.
You don’t want clients, family, or friends to end up getting burned or starting a fire because you used a container that was a hazard.
Get Your Wax On
Now that everything is ready and you know the exact candle you want to make, you can go ahead and get your wax on.
Heat your wax in the double boiler or wax melter until it is fully melted. Add color and scent and carefully pour into the molds or containers (already prepared with wicks).
Once they are cooled, you can add a label and any outside packaging and they’re ready to go. You are now experienced in candle making!
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