Candle making

So... I haven't been blogging much this month(s), don't have too many ideas. Anyway, here is a new post! One of my latest crafty hobbies that I have picked up again in the past 6 weeks is candle making. It really is very easy. I used to make candles years ago, along with glycerin soap (that may be next!). I read a post from Pinterest about making your own candles with beeswax and decided to make candles for friends for Christmas.

The blog talked about how many candles are really not safe to burn, the worst ones being scented candles. I did a little of my own research, partly from what one of my friends had posted about them on Facebook. I read that burning a scented candle can have a similar effect on a body as secondhand smoke! WOW!! One of the safest, natural substances to burn is beeswax. It is not harmful to the human body. I have looked into buying beeswax candles and they are not cheap! I found beeswax to be about $15 a pound at my local Hobby Lobby. Using my 40% off coupon on my app made it about $9. I thought that was much better for several candles.

The original blog post that spurred me on talked about using small jars like jelly jars or even baby food jars for the candle holders. I dug through my stash of jars and found several that I used for Christmas gifts. Then all I needed to buy was the wicks, which I also found in various sizes at Hobby Lobby. I think they were like $3.99 for 12... But this last time I went to the store, I decided to buy some tea light holders and make that size. Next time I may try to get a votive holder. When I was looking through my craft supplies, I found that I had a pillar candle mold to use. I did not remember owning that! I decided to use that too.

So all I really had to do was melt the beeswax in a double boiler on the stove. A double boiler is basically another container set in a pot of boiling water. Last time (in December) I used a glass measuring cup with a spout. That was nice because then I could pour right into my molds or jars. I found a metal pitcher that I had used before and used that again this past time. The metal pitcher is lighter so it floated a little at first.

As the beeswax melted on the stove in the double boiler, I prepared my containers. I added spray oil to the tall metal mold and put a wick in it, using a clothespin on the top to keep it up, and a knot on the bottom. The other wicks already had a metal base that I glued into place with a glue dot (also from a craft store). So I just glued one wick into each of the votive holders and into the jar that I used this time. My directions also said that you could use coconut oil and essential oils to stretch the wax and add some scent. I've done that before, but not this time. Some of the candles are a little whiter because of the coconut oil. The wax melted slowly on the stove, in about 30-45 minutes. I stirred it with a wooden chopstick.

The small candles set up pretty quickly. It took about 2 hours for them to cool. I left the pillar candle in the mold overnight. It took a little coaxing to remove it from the mold, but it came out smooth and looks nice! Next time I might add some color, but for now, I just went with the yellow. It is just more natural looking that way! I will enjoy my safer, cleaner-burning candles for the rest of the winter!

Here are a few blog posts about scented candles and making your own:

https://whatgreatgrandmaate.com/how-to-make-beeswax-candles-why-i-dont-buy-scented-candles/

https://www.naturallivingideas.com/homemade-beeswax-candles/

https://www.diynatural.com/how-to-make-beeswax-candles-natural/

Have you ever made your own candles? Do you have any tips? I'd love to hear all about it!

Matthew 5:15
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.


Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.


Leviticus 24:2
“Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning continually.