How I Make Candles

After my post on my homemade candles, quite a few of you emailed me to ask how I make them.

Here is a great post on WHY I make my own candles- not to mention it is so much fun, and cheaper too (in the long run,not up front)!

I went with Brambleberry because a friend with a soap making business told me they were best. Plus they are local!

I bought-
*10 lbs of EcoSoya Advanced Wax
*Cd-12 Wicks (30).

* Fragrance Oils

*I also got my pitcher from Michael's with a 40% off coupon.
* and a box of half pint mason jars from the Commissary
Plus I collected some old empty Partylite jars from friends
!!!Be sure any container you use is made for high heat, or else they could explode and hurt someone!!!

First, I  line my counters with waxed paper before starting, to make sure they stay clean.

I weigh out how much wax I need, 1 lb at a time is what I usually do.
(I start with 1 oz of fragrance oil for every pound of wax, and add more as needed from there. I usually need to add more, because I like the candles to scent my whole home).

I use my kitchen scale to weight the oil.  I weigh the full  bottle, and then pour a little oil  and keep weighing the bottle to make sure it is an ounce lighter. 

 

I used my large sauce pot (this picture is a medium pan, I had the large one full of food this time) , and filled it 3/4 with water and brought it to a boil. Once it boiled I lowered the heat to a simmer and put my pitcher of wax in. I stirred the wax with a chopstick until it was completely melted.

*Do not heat wax directly over a flame. It will combust, Always use a double boiler.

Then I took my pitcher out of the water and poured in my scent. I stirred well until it was completely incorporated, then I poured it into the prepared jars.
I use a clothes pin to center the wick before pouring the wax in. After pouring the wax I make sure they are still straight.
Do NOT try to  put the wicks in AFTER you have poured the wax.

They cool in just a couple hours, then I trim the wick and they are ready to go!

1 lb of wax made 2 half pint jars and a small Partylight barrel jar
2 lbs made 4 half pint jars, and then one small Partylite barrel jar. 

I love that they burn cleanly and completely, once it is used up I can just wipe out the holder and use it again!