Candle making

If you are like me, then you love scented candles.  I have a big box filled with candles of different sizes, colours, shapes, and smells.  I try to buy soy candles as often as possible, but I still have a good supply of old wax ones.  If you have ever used candles you know that it is impossible to melt all the wax.  By the end of its burning time you have a stub (or pool, depending on the type of candle) of wax.  I like to collect that leftover wax along with damaged candles, or broken pillar ones.  Using old glass jars, metal pots, and wicks along with that collected wax you can create new beautiful candles.

For this project you will need:

Candle wax
Glass jar, washed and dried
Candle wicks

you can buy wicks in art stores.  They come in different thickness, so make sure to get the one appropriate for the type of candle you are making

Wick supports

these too could be found in the art store.  You can be creative and reuse the old ones, from tea candles or make one yourself by tying 2 pieces of toothpicks crossed together

Big pot for bain-marie (double boiler)
Small pot to melt wax

Both pots will have wax on them by the end of the project so use dedicated pots rather than your regular cooking ones.  I like to use my old soup pot for the water bath

Water
Essential oil (optional)

• Using the water bath, melt candle wax over the medium heat.  When the wax is completely melted, stir it and add a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil

• Meanwhile place the wick, with the wick holder attached, into the jar

• Pour a small amount of wax (1/2 inch) over the wick support.  Hold the wick so it stays straight.  Use a pencil or skewer to hold the loose end of the wick in the middle of the jar: simply tie it around and place the pencil on the rim of the container

• Let the wax congeal completely.  This step helps you to have a straight wick inside your candle.  Make sure to keep the rest of the wax liquid

• When the wax is cold, adjust the tension of the wick and pour the leftover wax into the jar.  Keep the jar in a cool place.  Sudden drops of temperature will lead to uneven congealing of the wax, trapping air-bubbles and creating craters in your candle.

• When the wax is congeal, you might notice a little crater on top of the candle.  Melt some more wax and fill in the hole.

• Cut the wick and enjoy your first home-made scented candle.

If you have wax of different colours you can create multi-coloured candles by pouring layers of different wax.  Make sure to cool the previous layer before adding a new one.

Text: Anya Sokolovskaya
Photography: Eric Gloutnay