There are a number of candle making crafts that are so easy that even children can take part in the fun.  Additionally, if your business plan to sell your wares is already in place, this can be a way to use candle making crafts to teach your kids about how business works.  It can even boost your sales, since many people love gifts made by the creative minds of children.

But whether or not you have kids that are involved, candle making crafts are a good way to get started in a business that can be rewarding and fun.  The nice thing about candles is that there are techniques, but no set rules regarding creativity, only the chemistry that makes up the product.

Once you have worked out the proper ratios of fragrance, dye, and wax, you need to let out the inner artist.  Working with wax, you can be as creative as you want to be because the basic technique is always the same. Candle making crafts are all based in the same science.  The only difference between them is the research, development, and artistry of the candle.  As you progress, the basic tenets of the craft will become second nature, and your artistic eye will become your most important tool.

The basics are simple.  Apply heat through boiling water to a pitcher that contains the wax.  In the big companies, there are large kettles that have a water barrier in which they melt the wax.  If you can picture that you are simply working on a smaller scale than a manufacturer like Yankee or Old Virginia Candle Company, the rules for candle making crafts become simple and finite.

Next, the big companies are very specific in their measurements.  This is not to reduce waste, although that is a byproduct.  In most cases, the dye and fragrance used in candle making crafts are petroleum based.  When mixed with wax, they actually create a suspension.  If the ratios are inaccurate or the mixture is not performed properly, the result will not be what you want at all.  If the dye isn’t mixed right, the colors will be spotty in the finished product, or it may be duller than you expect.  If the fragrance doesn’t mix properly, as the candle burns the scent will be very strong at times and then nonexistent at others.  So another trick is the prodigious use of stirring.  Again, the big companies use yard sticks to constantly stir the mixture until its ready for pour.  For this, you may want to consider buying a few paint stirrers from the local hardware store.  The dye may bleed into the wood, so be sure to get several for different color varieties.

Finally, wick placement is a crucial part of candle making crafts. The way the wick sits determines how the finished product will burn.  After the pour and as the wax sets, be sure to keep an eye on the wick from the top to bottom.  Candle making crafts are not difficult or foreboding, but perseverance goes a long way in building beautiful candles.

So you want to learn the art of scented candle making.  I don’t blame you!  There is nothing like the sweet smell of a scented candle. Whether it is burning and flickering with light or has just been extinguished, the smell is wonderful. Once a room is filled with the beautiful fragrance of a candle it changes the entire atmosphere.

A wonderfully sensational fragrance has the ability to change your mood as well.  It has a calming effect, with the ability to reduce your stress level.  

Some fragrances will even make you feel energized.  There is nothing like returning home from a long day at work to the smell of fragrance coming from your candle.  It is even more satisfying if it is a candle that you made yourself!

If you want your home-made creations to have that effect on you as well as others, then you’ll have to check out the range of fragrances available to you.Candle fragrances come in several forms: liquid, natural herbs, and solid wax perfume chips. But that’s only the start of your choices. You have nearly an endless array of fragrances from which to choose. Just do a quick search on the internet to see what’s available to you. Scents vary from summer rain to Amish harvest to candied apples.

With the choices available you will be able to make the most inspiring candles!  Here are a couple of tips to keep in mind with your scented candle making.  

1. Wait until you’re just about ready to pour your melted wax into the pouring pot before adding your scent.

This act keeps evaporation to a minimum. In this way, you can actually use less fragrance and enjoy it more!

2. Don’t add too much scent.

It’s a common mistake — especially for those of us who are new to scented candle making. I know I certainly made this mistake (several times over!) when I began making candles. Adding too much fragrance may cause mottling or pitting to the candle wax itself. Not only does this detract from the attractiveness of your candle, but it also makes it harder to remove your candle from the mold.

Scented candle making is very satisfying.  A beautiful candle is a thing to behold.  But when you add a wonderful fragrance it is transformed into something out of this world!

A candle just isn’t a candle without a wick.  Without a wick there would be nothing to light!  Instead of producing a beautiful glittering light, it would just be a beautiful piece of wax!  You may not have given wicks much thought but they are an important part of candle making.  

Choosing a candle making wick is not something you should take lightly.  Actually, the more experienced you become at candle making the more involved you will become in choosing the right wick for your project.

Selecting a wick involves some key variables.  These include the type of wax you are going to use, the size of the candle you will be making, the fragrance density and your personal preferences.  

Don’t let this intimidate you.  Choosing candle making wicks is not difficult at all.  As with anything you try for the first time, there will be challenges. However, once you do it a few times it will become very easy.  

I am a strong proponent of note taking.  Write everything down for future reference.  Keep track of wick size, wax type, the pour temperature, the fragrance type used and with what type of wicks.  This way you will know what works well and what doesn’t the next time you do the same or a similar project.

Although you may be interested in learning about the science of wicks, how and why they work, that is not necessary for now.  The biggest thing to remember is that the diameter of the wick is important. 

If you select a candle making wick that is too thick for your size candle, the result is a flame that burns too brightly. That, in turn, means your candle burns far too quickly. Not only is this not an efficient use of your candle, it’s also a hazard.

If you choose a wick that’s too thin the opposite occurs. The candle burns too slowly and only the inner portion of your candle melts. The wax, in effect, saturates the wick and all burning stops.

Typically, you’ll discover that candle making wicks are sold braided. This isn’t for a nice look. Braided wicks, for one thing, helps to indicate the thickness of the wick itself. The more braids a wick possesses, the thicker it is.

Candle making wicks are not to be overlooked.  Although selecting the right one is important, do not let it scare you.  The more you do it the better you will get.  You now have enough information to get started and be on your way to making your own beautiful candles.

Finding the right candle making wax is one of the most important choices you make when getting ready to start the candle making process.  There are a number of products available to choose from, and you should explore all different forms of candle making wax before making a decision.

The most popular candle making wax in the industry right now is soy wax.  There are several reasons why soy wax is popular.  The first is that because it is plant based, it is renewable.  Unlike beeswax, it lacks a natural scent.  This makes it perfect as a base for fragrance candles.  On that same note, essential oils mix particularly well with soy, and should be considered for any type of aromatherapy candles.  The wax throws fragrance as well or better than any of the other types.  Finally, one of its big advantages is its relatively high smoke point, which allows the candle to burn without emitting soot nearly as much as the others.  The biggest drawback to this candle making wax is that it tends to be more expensive and more difficult to find.

Paraffin as candle making wax has become sort of a pariah in the age of soy.  Some people have even referred to it as, “the sludge at the bottom of a barrel of
oil that is bleached and texturized with a chemical called acrolein.”  There are, however, advantages to paraffin.  Again, the wax throws fragrance well and the oils mix well since they are both petroleum based in most cases.  Also, it is usually found in various colors if dying is not a possibility in your process.  Lastly, it is extremely common, available in the canning section of most supermarkets, and therefore inexpensive.  This makes it a good beginner’s wax.

Palm wax is candle making wax made from the oil in palm fruit, and may be the next step for candle manufacturing in the new “green” economy.  This wax melts slowly due to its higher melting point, and creates a longer life for the candle.  Environmentally friendly, this product is dripless and produces no smoke whatsoever.  Another good fragrance thrower, this candle making wax is said to hold its fragrance much longer than a normal paraffin candle.

Gel wax is beautiful but dangerous.  It should only be used by people who are entirely familiar with the attributes of wax.  While it produces ornate designs and holds fragrance well, it can burn hotter and is more volatile than any of the other varieties of wax.  It has been known to explode glass if it isn’t strong enough to hold it.  Use this product with caution.

Finally, the last possibility is beeswax.  As a candle making wax, beeswax has become another popular item.  Most people are attracted to their long burn times and the fact that it’s much more affordable than soy.  If soy is industry’s favorite, then beeswax is its younger sister.  The fragrance throws are virtually equal, and beeswax is easier to find.  The most unique part of beeswax is its signature white light.

Choosing the right wax is crucial for candle making success.  If you choose wisely, you will be rewarded.