How to make candles at home for beginners from wax, wax, old candles, paraffin with colored flame, aroma, dried flowers

Make original candles in anticipation of a holiday or a romantic dinner you can do it yourself at home, focusing on available techniques. The manufacturing process is surprisingly simple. The home craftsman will not need any special skills, and the result will be amazing.

Necessary tools and materials

Each candle making method requires a specific set of tools and equipment. These should be prepared in advance. You will also need materials for the products themselves and their decoration.

Candle base

At the preparation stage, you should immediately decide what material the candles will be made of. It is recommended to select a base from a range of safe varieties.

List of the most suitable types of material for making candles:

Name	Brief description
Wax	Wax is a natural type of material. It is valued for its safety due to the absence of harmful additives.
Wax foundation	High-quality candles are made from wax foundation - beeswax pressed to form a honeycomb pattern. The material is expensive, but is popular due to the originality and durability of the candles made from it.
Paraffin	The high demand for paraffin is explained by its low cost and availability. Candles made from this material are white and odorless.
Soy wax	This candle base is made from soybeans. It is safe and inexpensive.
Gel	Working with gel mass does not require special skills. Candles are transparent. They burn for a long time without drips, do not have a pronounced smell. The gel does not retain its shape on its own, so a case is needed for pouring.

Wick

It is recommended to use threads made from natural fibers as wicks for homemade candles. Synthetics burn quickly. It leaves behind an unpleasant aroma. It is necessary to take into account that a thick candle will require a fairly powerful wick. You can buy it in special salons.

Craftsmen successfully use the wick extracted from a candle. When making it yourself, pour 200 ml of water into a mug. Dissolve in it a tablespoon of fine-grained table salt and twice as much boric acid.

Cotton threads are dipped into the solution. After 12 hours, they are removed and dried. A tourniquet of the required thickness is twisted. A braid can be woven from the threads.

A thin cord made of natural fibers is often used as a wick. It is soaked in a small amount of melted wax and left to harden. For stability, the lower end should be weighted down. For this purpose, special clamps can be purchased.

An alternative material is thin wooden slats. They are pre-soaked in olive oil for 30 minutes. Then they are removed and the excess oil is removed with a paper napkin.

Casting mold

You can use various containers to pour the candle mass. The final shape of the candle depends on them.

The following items are used:

• juice and milk boxes;
• plastic cups;
• citrus peel;

• silicone molds used for baking;
• wine glasses, shot glasses, goblets;
• jars from various products;
• eggshell.

The priority requirement for the selected forms is the ability to not deform when heated to a temperature of 100°C. Attention is also paid to the configuration of the containers.

Dyes

You can turn ready-made candles into interior decoration if you make them rainbow-colored. For this purpose, select dyes of the desired shade.Do not use food coloring to color candles., as well as gouache or water-based watercolors. They do not form a uniform texture with the candle base.

To implement the creative idea, it is recommended to use wax crayons as a dye. They are crushed to a state of fine shavings. Pearl crayons give a particularly bright color.

Flavors and decor

If you want to feel a pleasant aroma during the candle lighting process, add a little essential oil to the base. Dried citrus slices have a pleasant smell. You can use your favorite spices and coffee beans.

Cones, beads, decorative small bows, balls, bells are successfully used as decoration. Candles are decorated with dried flowers, seeds, ribbons. Hearts and snowflakes cut out of foil are used.

Melting devices

It is important to ensure safe conditions when carrying out the wax or paraffin melting operation.

Do not use a microwave oven. Do not place dishes with a candle base directly on a stove - gas, induction, electric.

The best option is a water bath. The candle mass is placed in a metal bowl, which is placed in a pot of boiling water. When stirring the mass, avoid drops of flammable paraffin falling on the hot surface of the stove.

You will need a grater and a knife to crush the base. It is advisable to stock up on scales to measure the components more accurately. A thermometer will come in handy, allowing you to control the temperature of the heated candle mass. To fix the wick in the center of the poured form, use a wooden skewer. A pencil can successfully replace it.

Step by step manufacturing process

You can make candles at home if you follow the recommended sequence of actions.

The process is fascinating because of the possibility of introducing your own ideas. You can surprise your household with an unusual shape of the products, an original aroma or exclusive decor. They take into account the peculiarities of working with a specific material.

From wax

Candles made with your own hands from wax foundation look original even without additional decor. Despite the rather high cost of the material, home craftsmen are attracted by the lack of need to heat the base.

Algorithm of actions:

1. A rectangle is cut from the wax plate. Its length after twisting will be the thickness of the future candle, and its height will correspond to its similar size.
2. The wick is cut longer than the height and placed along the edge of the wax plate.
3. Pressing the edge with the thread tightly, they begin to twist the wax foundation, forming an even, beautiful roll.

If you decide to flavor the product, it is recommended to use spices or dried herbs - thyme, mint, wormwood. They are first ground to a powder using a coffee grinder. Spread it in a thin layer using a soft brush on a straightened sheet of wax. Then, having laid the wick, twist the candle.

From wax

The most popular material for homemade candles remains natural wax, which has a yellowish or white tint. It has a pleasant aroma. It is valued for its pronounced bactericidal properties.

Making candles at home from natural wax is easy. The melting point of such a candle base is 63-70°C. Since this material is difficult to rub off, it is advisable to use a separate container for melting it.

Algorithm of actions:

• Paper is spread on the table to protect the surface from hot drops of wax.
• Set up the molds prepared for pouring future candles. They should be clean, dry and at room temperature. Glass or metal containers can be slightly warmed up in the oven.
• The lower end of the wick is dipped into hot wax and fixed to the bottom in the center of the mold. Special clamps can be used. To keep the wick strictly vertical, a pencil or regular stick is placed on the upper edge of the container and the upper end is wound.
• The wax base is rubbed. It can be chopped into small pieces with a knife.
• The resulting pieces of wax are transferred to a metal ladle. Place it in a water bath. The melting is carried out at low heat, not allowing the liquid to boil. Using a thermometer, control the temperature of the wax, which should not be higher than 80°C.
• Add a dye if required. The intensity of the coloring is checked by applying a smear of wax to white paper. If necessary, add a coloring agent to enhance the color. If it is necessary to reduce the color saturation, add a wax base.

• The uniform hot mass is carefully poured into the molds. This process is carried out slowly, which will avoid the appearance of air bubbles. The wick is held, ensuring an exact position in the center. The wax is poured to the upper edge of the container.

During the hardening process of the finished candle, sometimes voids appear on the surface. It is easy to correct such a defect. Heat the base a little and fill the cavities. The candle can be used when it has completely hardened.

From old candles

If you have old unused candles at home, it is worth restoring them and turning them into a homemade work of art. All the material is sorted by shade. If you melt different colored materials in one container at once, you may end up with a brownish, unsightly mass.

Several mugs should be prepared, where the sorted candles are placed, which are pre-crushed and the wick is removed from them. It is used for a new product. Several threads can be twisted into one cord of the required length. The candle mass is heated using a steam bath.

The forms are transparent. They are fixed by fixing the top on a pencil, the wick in the center. They hold it and pour a layer of prepared wax of one color. To get original transitions, the container is tilted, allowing the colored streaks to spread along the walls. They wait until the mass sets a little.

Continue pouring the candle mixture, alternating shades and tilting the mold at different angles. As a result, a rainbow product is obtained from old candles, which can decorate any interior. Such a candle will take a worthy place on the festive table or serve as a pleasant gift to a loved one.

Made of paraffin with colored flame

You can make unusual candles at home that illuminate the space with a colored flame if you soak their wick with specially prepared compounds.

You can use paraffin products. They are cut into pieces and the cord is removed.

Sequence of operations:

1. Transfer a small portion of the base into a metal container. If you want to get several shades, you will need the appropriate number of containers.
2. Paraffin is poured with alcohol in equal volume proportions.
3. While stirring, add a specific component to each container in proportion that will provide the required flame color:

• table salt, sodium nitrate or sodium chromate impart a yellow tint;
• strontium nitrate (strontium nitrate) or strontium chloride allows you to get a red flame;
• copper stearate or chloride provides a blue glow;
• Barium chloride contributes to the appearance of a green color.

The amount of chemical compounds in relation to the paraffin base is taken, on average, in equal proportions.

4. The wick is dipped into the resulting mixture. Leave for 3-5 minutes. The cords should be completely soaked.
5. Then they are removed and dried well.

The remaining paraffin is melted in a steam bath. The candles themselves will be made from it. To match the shade of the flame, crushed wax crayons are added. The prepared wick is placed in the mold and the hot base is poured in. If you prepare products with various additives, then when lit, a charming multi-colored glow will be provided.

When casting candles from paraffin, the powder that provides the flame color can be introduced directly into the base during the melting process. In this situation, alcohol is not required. Chemical compounds are taken in dry form.

The wick is fixed, and then the forms are filled with one shade, multi-colored layers are made, or several powders are combined in one product at once. Everything depends on the creative imagination of the home craftsman.

With aroma

The festive atmosphere can be enhanced by lighting scented candles. When making them yourself, you can choose your favorite scent using available components. Essential oil is most often used, 10-12 drops of which are required per 500 g of candle base. Other types of flavorings are also used, for example, coffee.

Algorithm of actions:

• Grind the wax base using a grater or a sharp knife.
• Transfer the resulting shavings into a metal container, which is placed in a water bath. Heat at a low temperature, stirring the candle mass regularly. Do not allow it to boil.
• When the wax has completely melted and becomes transparent, remove the pan from the stove.

• The wick is placed in the center of the mold chosen for pouring the candle. A wooden strip is placed on top, on which the cord is fixed so that it does not lose its strict vertical direction.
• Prepare the flavoring agent. If coffee grounds are used, they are first spread evenly on a thick textile napkin, which allows removing excess moisture. Freshly ground coffee beans can be used.
• Flavoring - 1-1.5 tbsp. poured in a thin layer onto the bottom of the pan.
• Carefully pour in hot wax, which should fill the mold to half its volume.
• Leave it until the mass hardens, and then pour in a thin, even layer of coffee again.
• Heat the wax base and pour it to the edges of the mold.

After two or three hours, when the candle has completely hardened, it is removed. If necessary, the wick is trimmed to the desired length. Often, the outer surface is additionally decorated with whole coffee beans. They are laid in one layer on the film. Hot wax is poured over it and the candle is carefully wrapped in film. When the entire mass has hardened, the film is removed.

With dried flowers

It is possible to make candles at home using natural decor if you dry a variety of flowers in a timely manner.

They give the products an elegant look. Each candle decorated with dried flowers has a unique pattern, which will allow it to become a worthy decoration of any interior.

To work, you should prepare manicure scissors, a teaspoon, dried flowers, tweezers, some paraffin and 3 candles. Two of them will serve as the basis for decoration, and the spoon will be heated over the flame of the third during the work.

Algorithm of actions:

1. White paper is spread on the table and dried flowers are laid out to create the desired composition, which will be repeated on the surface of the candles.
2. Light a candle and heat the inside of the spoon.
3. A sprig of dried flowers is applied to the surface of the decorated candle.
4. The outer side of a hot spoon is used to smooth the entire flower, making sure that it sticks completely to the melting paraffin.
5. All protruding stems are carefully cut off using manicure scissors.
6. Gradually, all the elements of the composition are glued in a similar manner.

Then you need to fix the result. For this purpose, select a high metal container that matches the size of the candle. Lay out pieces of paraffin and melt them in a steam bath.

The decorated candle is held by the wick and carefully dipped into the melted paraffin. Then the product is taken out. Placed on a flat surface. Leave until the candle hardens completely. If not all the elements of the composition are properly fixed, repeat the procedure of immersion in hot paraffin again.

Secrets for Beginners

Even beginners can make candles at home. But to avoid disappointment, you should listen to useful recommendations. It is important not to overheat the spark plug mass. Purchase a special confectionery thermometer. Constantly monitor the heating during operation.

The following melting temperature parameters are taken into account for different types of material, °C:

• paraffin - 50-65;
• natural wax - 63-79;
• soy wax - 76-82;
• used old candles - 85-88.

When working with paraffin, keep in mind that this material shrinks a lot. During the first experiments, stearin should be added in a 4:1 ratio. Candles made from such a mixture have a smooth structure and produce a long, even flame.

For decoration, you should first practice simple technologies. An excellent result can be achieved by using decoupage. Remove the top layer from the paper napkin and cut out a fragment of the design. Apply it to the side surface of the candle being decorated. Smooth with a hot spoon. After cooling, the decor is ready.

You can make candles yourself from different materials at home in different ways. When mastering the methods of not only casting, but also decorating, you can create unique products that are suitable in theme for a certain festive event. You can select compositions to match the style of the interior.

Author: E. Gryzlova

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