How to make candles with your own hands at home?

Today it has become fashionable to spend romantic evenings by candlelight. This sets us up for a positive and makes our life much more beautiful. However, the prices for such a demanded product in stores "bite", and sometimes you really want to make your evening unusual and give it to your loved one. Don't be upset! You can just make candles with your own hands.

People will always buy candles to decorate their lives. Their warm burning makes the surrounding atmosphere romantic. No special preparation is required to create candles. Perhaps someone will need information about their manufacture for personal purposes, while someone will turn an uncomplicated hobby into a business. Preparations for making a candle should begin by protecting clothes with a special apron so that drops of wax do not spoil it.

Then you need to start organizing your desktop. It must also be protected from dirt, so it is better to cover it. For starters, you can take a newspaper. If this lesson will carry you further, then buy a silicone mat (greasy drops easily depart from it). Next, we will study the materials that will be needed:

• wax or paraffin;
• special thread for the wick;
• water tank;
• a bowl for melting wax;
• any forms for pouring (glass, plastic, etc.);
• sticks to hold the wick on weight.

Candles are made from helium, paraffin and wax (this type is the most acceptable). Wax is different.

One of the most famous is soybean wax. It is a natural product and therefore environmentally friendly.

It melts when the temperature reaches over 75 degrees. You should not raise it higher, otherwise you will ruin the product.

The second wax option is palm wax. It melts at temperatures over 60 degrees.

Therefore, take a solid container for making candles. In a soft container, this effect will not work. Besides, "Palm" candles have their own uniqueness... Therefore, they do not need to be decorated.

The most famous are beeswax candles. This product is useful for the human body, as it has special properties and odor. Such a substance must be cleaned of impurities, and then just start working. Beeswax can be melted and molded into various candle shapes.

Artificial materials are not suitable for its manufacture. The base should be cotton or other natural material, otherwise your candles will crack and smoke. For better combustion, the wick must be equipped with reinforced wire.

A very thin thread in a thick candle will immediately burn up and you will not see fire. A thick thread in a thin candle will burn it off very quickly. To correctly choose the thickness of the wick, you must adhere to the following parameters.

• If the diameter of the candle starts at 8 cm, then take the thickest threads. In this case, more than 22 threads should be included in the weaving.
• If the diameter is smaller, then the wick should consist of 13 or even 20 strands.
• The rest of the tapers can burn with a wick, which consists of 8-10 strands.

However, keep in mind that all knowledge comes during practice and it will not be possible to compare the thickness of the thread and the diameter of the candle the first time. This requires accumulated experience. For a wax candle, a fairly thick thread is taken with a loose, seemingly absorbent surface. Wax is a viscous substance. To prevent the candle from smoking, it must soak a little into the wick.

Those who want to get serious about making candles need to choose a method of obtaining the material. For example, the wick can be bought in bulk in a store for needlewomen, or you can find suppliers on the Internet... They will sell a wick that has already been pre-treated with wax or paraffin. It should be noted that wicks are twisted, simply braided and braided.

Nevertheless, if you buy all the components, then this will not give a big profit... If you want to start a small business, you should learn how to make wicks yourself. There are no boundaries to fantasies. The easiest way is to take a thin cotton thread and twist it yourself. The wick will be the thickness you need. Some people use an ordinary bandage to make a wick. In it, all the threads are already twisted in advance. All that remains is to choose the thickness and adapt to it.

The finished wick must be dipped in hot wax (paraffin) and squeezed out with your fingers. Place the squeezed base on a flat surface until the wax has completely solidified in it (about 10 minutes). Such a maneuver will allow the thread to soak almost to the very base, and you will get rid of any air that may remain inside.

There are no restrictions on this issue. It all depends on your desires. For the first time, you can get by with the molds-packages left over from the drunk yoghurts, or you can use jars from cotton swabs in the form of a heart or a round (oval) shape. Use whatever comes to hand. Well, those who have already begun to seriously engage in the manufacture of candles are always in search of original solutions.

All options have their own advantages and disadvantages. Take polycarbonate molds, for example. They are transparent and comfortable, but not very durable. Their service life is about 5 years. There are also plastic molds. Ready-made candles are difficult to remove from them, and they also do not have the required transparency. Molds made of soft plastic (used to make soap) will work well for making mini candles.

There are molds made of imported plastic (as a rule, they are very large). Such molds are the most durable and suitable for temperatures above 200 degrees. The best option is metal forms: aluminum, steel. The candles are smooth and even. However, this option is not suitable for many due to the simplicity of the forms. In addition, the metal is very hot and difficult to work with.

Many manufacturers use silicone molds for the dough. They are comfortable and withstand temperatures well. The downside is fragility.

It is not difficult to make a silicone mold yourself. You can buy material in specialized stores or online. This substance consists of a base and a hardener. They are mixed, based on the instructions for use. In this case, a component is obtained from which you can make your own originally made shape for a future candle in the form of a toy, an ornate branch, etc.

Another material that will allow you to show originality is plaster. From it you can mold any shape for a candle. However, it is still easier for some craftsmen to use the forms that are always at hand. Take ordinary teacups, for example. In them, the candles turn out to be very attractive. A simple eggshell is also suitable for work.

There is only one conclusion: in the matter of choice, you need to be smart, and then everything will work out.

It should conduct heat well and be easily cleaned of melting residues. For novice candlestickers, the easiest way is to get a tin can. Even if something goes wrong, you throw it away without regret. Besides, this container can be easily placed in a pot of boiling water.

But this option has a minus.

In addition, this process becomes dangerous due to the threat of burns. Use a little trick to fix the problem. Use a pair of tongs to remove the boiling jar, or attach an aluminum wire handle to it. For melting, you can also use an old saucepan or a narrow ladle with a spout. (it is convenient to pour the substance).

To find a convenient dish option, follow these guidelines:

• the dishes should be sufficiently voluminous, since wax significantly increases in mass when heated;
• it is better to take the container from aluminum, it does not react and does not affect the color of the future product.

The following recommendations are general in nature and will help you work safely.

1. In no case should the wax be melted over an open fire, otherwise it will ignite. You cannot melt this product in the microwave either. In it, the wax will surely ignite.
2. When the wax melts, it must be stirred with a silicone spatula.
3. The finer the pieces of wax, the faster it will melt.
4. Wax residues on dishes can be easily washed off by pouring a little water into them, adding dishwashing detergent and placing them in a steam bath. It is even easier to hold the container over the spout of a boiling kettle. Residues will just as easily move away from the walls.

To make your candles add even more romance to the environment and even have a healing and soothing effect, add some aromatic oil that is extracted from plants to them. People have been using the healing properties of flowers and herbs for a long time.

To take advantage of the beneficial properties of plants, buy aromatic oils from the pharmacy and add them to candles, which will give off an aroma when burned.

Consider what properties individual plant components have:

• geranium has a positive effect on the nervous system, soothes;
• grapefruit helps to restore harmony of mind and body;
• ylang-ylang eliminates anger and sadness;
• bergamot soothes;
• cedar is able to restore human strength;
• cinnamon eliminates self-doubt;
• St. John's wort will protect against enemies and evil spirits;
• wormwood will cleanse your home of negativity;
• the rose attracts love;
• sandalwood will help to avoid making sudden decisions;
• sage will increase the energy level;
• vetiver will create inner peace and tranquility within you;
• eucalyptus will double your health.

Some tips:

• add aroma oil to the wax when its temperature reaches 60 degrees, otherwise the aroma will "burn out" and be very weak;
• to get an original aroma, mix several oils at once, just do not overdo it;
• use about 20 ml of oil per 450 g of wax.

To make your piece look finished, you need to complement it with a stand and decoration. It can be made from a regular tin can. Cut out patterns, remove excess edging and paint in the desired color. By the way, the stand can be made in the form of a round house... Attach a roof with a hole at the top (for the release of combustion products) and insert a candle inside the structure. When the candle is lit, it will be very romantic and beautiful.

Housewives can be advised to bake a gingerbread stand. It will turn out romantic, interesting and edible. You can also cut a hole in a small pumpkin and insert a candle into it. It will be good if the peel is decorated with a carved pattern.

And what a beautiful candlestick made of orange peel will be! Carved tropical fruit coasters always look out of place for Christmas and New Years. A candlestick or stand made of tree bark will be the best decoration for a candle. If you decide to go in the most original way, then make a border from cinnamon sticks.

When you are going to make a candle with your own hands, it is better to know all the details about this process in advance. At home, it is recommended to melt the wax in a jar on a steam bath. Before the wax reaches the desired condition, prepare a mold for the future candle. Lubricate it with water or vegetable oil. Then pour a small part of the melted wax onto the very bottom of the mold. We correct the wick and fill it again. It is better to do this in stages. This will give you a smooth and flawless candle. When the candle is completely filled, then cool it at room temperature.

If removing the candle is difficult, then put the mold in the refrigerator for a few minutes, and then place it under a stream of hot water. The candle can be easily removed. After removing, part of the wick must be cut off and only 1 cm left.

Natural and synthetic dyes are used for staining. Natural are made from natural ingredients and herbs. To do this, they are processed and the desired product is obtained. Synthetic ones are made from chemical elements and color the candle evenly and quickly.

The dyes also coat the candle with a greasy layer. If this does not scare you, then add them while melting. But if you want to get an uneven color and give color, then add the dye to the wax before pouring.

Some also use coloring pencils for coloring. This should not be done. The impurity contained in them will interfere with the burning of the candle.

Novice candle makers, as well as professional craftsmen, often resort to various master classes. This helps to keep track of new products and not miss anything interesting. Consider several popular candle making recipes that will not be difficult even for a beginner.

The coffee candle has a wonderful aroma. You can decorate it with whole grains. To make a candle, a little ground coffee is added to the wax. Coffee candles are considered decorative and are made for special occasions. They are tasty and pleasing to the eye.

A candle with the addition of fragrant soap has a wonderful aroma. Your favorite scent will accompany you not only in the bathroom, but also during your rest. To make such a candle, grate some of your favorite soap and add it to liquid wax or paraffin. This will make a candle made of soap.

They have a special aroma, as they are made with the addition of various useful components. A massage candle can be with herbs and dried flowers inside. When burned, it emits special aromas that help to relax during massage.

Soy candles are ideal for adding essential oils to them. They burn very slowly and exude various aromas for a long time.

Openwork candles are very original. For their manufacture, paper milk bags are taken. They are cut in half and made into square cups. A candle will be poured into them.Then a little melted wax is poured onto the bottom and the wick is fixed. Next, you need to place pieces of ice in the mold (about 2 cm should not be enough to the top). Then pour the remaining wax on top. When frozen, the ice will do its job and leave carved glades. After readiness, we take out of the mold an openwork candle, which turned out thanks to the melted ice.

Decorative candles are a wonderful gift for family and friends. They will highlight your love and devotion. Moreover, you will put your warmth in them. If you are going to present homemade candles as an additional gift for your friend's wedding or for your mom's birthday, then you need to decorate your unusual present. And here the choice depends on individual preferences. The decor will add personality and sophistication to the gift. For example, candles decorated with colorful ribbons look austere and solemn.

Carved samples can also be made. To do this, you will need a special woodcarving tool and a little skill. Candles can be made in the form of a Christmas tree cone or a toy.

A very fashionable idea would be to decorate a gift with burlap. To do this, cut a piece of fabric to size and wrap the candle. We complement the decoration with a bright ribbon. Burlap is also suitable for use in an autumn composition. We “season” the fabric with dried autumn leaves or flowers.

And there are also beautiful openwork decorations. They are made from thin decoupage napkins. As soon as you glue the lace pattern to the base of the candle and it dries, cover the openwork decoupage with varnish.

The decoration can be different. For example, a candle pasted over with shells is well suited for relaxing by the sea. The sea breeze will be complemented by candles decorated with white pearl-shaped beads of different sizes.

In the next video, you will learn how to make beautiful candles with your own hands at home, having only paraffin, a pack of paper cups, baby wax crayons and a spool of cotton thread at hand.