Scented Candles 2

Scented Candle Making

To make a basic sweet-scented candle, you will need some wax. Paraffin wax is easy to find and is good in just about any type of standard candle. Paraffin wax can be found at hobby or craft shops.

You will also need a pouring pot, which is just a metal pot with a handle that you will melt down the wax in.

Have a wax or candle thermometer handy.

Candle-making requires a candle wick.

If you want your wax to have color, then you need to have either a liquid coloring, a powder, or chip color, which is a solid pigment chip.

Choose a mold to shape the candle. Hobby stores carry all of that you need. Ebay is a good place to buy candle making supplies as well.

Finally, you need what gives a scented candle its scent! Scent comes in a couple different forms — liquid aroma scent and solid scent. Liquid aroma scent is more difficult to use, but it is much stronger and will hang around longer.

Select your conception. Candles can be made in just about any shape, from ball candles to long, skinny tapers. There are also elaborated molds in every shape conceivable.

The easiest mold is a pillar candle, which is a thick cylindrical, that is flat at the top and bottom. This is a sturdy shape that will sit firmly anywhere and has a long burn time. Pillar molds are easy to find in the hobby stores , while it can take more time and effort to find more complex molds

Find a heat source.

You will need heat to melt the wax, and it should be a safe source that is easy to clean. When using a pouring pot, there are usually a few drops that will run down the pot after the wax has been poured. This wax stays liquid for for a while, but eventually dries onto the surface.

It is not a good idea to try to wipe the liquid wax while it is still hot, as there is a good chance of getting some fingers burned. If you use a thick cloth towel to try to clean it up each time the wax is poured, the towel will be completely ruined, as wax does not wash out of fabric.

It is best to simply plan for the wax that will build up as the wax is poured, and try to pour as gently as you can to limit the amount of wax that drips. A hot plate is good source, as it is easy to scratch up wax from the surface, and it can be used in any room that is commodious.

Melt down the wax. For a typical pillar candle, you will need at least a pound of wax. This formula will be for one pound, and if you are making a larger-than-life candle, simply proportionate and increase the amount. Place the wax in the pouring pot, and attach the thermometer onto the side. Let the wax melt, but don’t let the temperature go past around 300 degrees. Wax catches fire at about 375 degrees, and it is best to stay well under that doorway while keeping the wax a liquid.

Color the wax. If you have decided on a color, combine the color to the liquid wax and agitate. The color can be a liquid color, a powder, or chip color, which is a solid pigmentation chip.

Chip color is by far the easiest to use and is very efficient in coloring wax. For one pound of wax, use one full diamond chip if that is what you have. If you have a long block of solid color, break off about one fourth of the block for a nice, rich color.

If you are looking for a more pastel shade, use about half of these amounts. You can agitate the mixture with anything you like, or you can just slosh around the pot gently to mix the wax and color.

Add the scent. If you are using a liquid scent, add about one ounce for a strong scent. Or add less for a more elusive outcome. If you are using a solid scent, read the instructions as to how much is needed for one pound of wax. Agitate or splosh the pot.

Now ready for the mold. If the mold has a wick hole at the bottom, attach the wick in the hole according to the directions that came with the mold. Some molds come with a putty or adhesive to help hold it in place. Once the wick has been placed in the hole, tie the top of the wick around something, such as a pencil, or a stick. The item will then be laid across the top, keeping the wick straight and taught.

Pouring the wax. The wax should be poured slowly into the mold. The more slowly and carefully you pour it, the fewer air bubbles will be in the wax. When all of it is poured, gently pat the side of the mold to release any bubbles.

Let the wax cool. Checking back often to make sure it is cooling equally. Most candles will sink a little in the middle as the wax hardens, so more wax will probably be required to pour into the middle to even it out. If it is a very large candle, this will need to be repeated several times.

Removing Candle. Once the candle is completed cooled and hardened, take it out of the mold. Pillar molds are very slightly sloped so that the wax will not get stuck, and the sides are smooth, allowing it to slide out easily. The candle will come out with two ends of wick sticking out. The part of the wick that was affixed to the bottom of the mold is the top of the candle. Trim it to about half an inch long, and cut the wick off the other side.

You candle is finished! Well Done

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