TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Everyone loves a new candle in their home but what if the candle on our counter was one you made yourself?
To see even more Pinterest crafts, check out the WTXL Pinterest Page.
Donna MacIver from Knits and Wicks shows the WTXL Sunrise crew how to make candles, below are her instructions.
Candle making has been around since 200 AD. At first making candles was a necessity in order to see in the dark. Today, candle making is a popular hobby. Candles are easy and fun to create.
What You Will Need:
Wax
Wick
Mold or Container
Newspaper or rags
Heat source
Candy Thermometer
Double Boiler
Oven mitts
Fragrance
Color
Always remember, to think SAFETY first. Protect your work area with newspaper covered with wax paper or towels, rags,etc. Assemble all your tools. Be prepared for spills. Work slowly. Be careful with ingredients. Essential and fragrance oils can cause skin irritation. Candle dyes can stain. Melt wax safely. Never leave your melting pot unattended.
Decide which type of wax you want to use. You can use Paraffin, Soy, Beeswax or old, used candles, if you're in to recycling. Shave or break the wax into small pieces.
You will need two pots; one large and one small to make a double boiler. Wax should be melted slowly. Fill the larger pot with water. The smaller pot will be used to melt the wax. You can even use an old can.
Put wax pieces into small pot with thermometer. Put the small pot into the larger pot of water and allow the wax to melt. DO NOT LEAVE THE MELTING WAX UNATTENDED AT ANY TIME.
While the wax is melting, prepare your mold or container by affixing the wick. When the wax has reached the appropriate temperature, add dye and fragrance and stir to blend. If you are using a glass container, warm up the glass by holding it under hot tap water. Be sure that the inside of the container is completely dry. Pour wax into mold or container. Pour slowly to eliminate air bubbles. Save some wax for later use.
Set mold/container aside to cool. As the wax cools, it will shrink and form a well in the center which will need refilling later. After 1 hour, reheat saved wax and pour into well.
If you're making a molded candle, remove the candle from the mold when it has completely cooled.
A container candle is ready to burn as soon as it has cooled.
