DIY Candle Making

DIY Candle Making

by Kristi Cook

Whether you Make your own candles or purchase your favorite types, the ambiance of flickering candlelight makes any day better.

Many of us find the mixing and matching of our favorite colors and fragrances into our own customized creations to be the pinnacle of relaxation on a cold winter’s day. Even better, our efforts produce some of the most delightful gifts anyone would be excited to receive. Here’s a quick primer on candle making for you to try this holiday season.

Candle Making 101

Equipment needs are minimal, with most equipment being easily thrifted. For waxes, colorants, and fragrances, a quick online search reveals many suppliers, while local hobby stores often carry many candle-making supplies. Note that it’s difficult to remove wax from your pots and utensils so you’ll want to have supplies dedicated to candle making. A thrifted cloth or towel can protect the surface you’re working on.

Supplies Needed:

  • Wax or wax blend of choice
  • Wicking
  • Wick stickers, hot glue, glue dots, etc.
  • Pencils or sticks to hold wicking in place
  • Fragrance — optional
  • Colorants — available in liquid and block form; optional
  • Containers or molds
  • Melting pot or double boiler
  • Kitchen thermometer (instant read is preferable)
  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • Mixing spoon
  • Scissors
  • Kitchen scale
  • Fire extinguisher
candle-making-supplies
by Kristi Cook Equipment needed is minimal when getting started in candle-making. Molds and containers may be purchased or use repurposed items such as canning jars, tin cans, and old candle containers with the wax removed.
  1. Determine the amount of wax needed for the project: Fill the mold or container with water and then measure. For every cup of water, about 1 pound of solid wax is needed. However, if using flakes or pellets, double this amount.
  2. In a wax melter, double boiler, or crockpot on low, melt wax according to manufacturer directions. For many waxes, this is around 180 to 195 degrees Fahrenheit. Wax is highly flammable; do not overheat or leave unattended. Overheated wax will result in excessive shrinkage, while too cool results in cracks and blemishes, making an instant-read thermometer a good investment.
  3. Once wax is melted, remove from heat and gently stir to ensure wax is the same temperature throughout. Allow to cool to manufacturer’s recommended pouring temperature.
  4. While wax is cooling, prepare molds or containers. Place a wicking dot or holder, a glue dot, or a dab of hot glue to the bottom of the container or mold and secure the wicking. Secure the top of the wicking in the center with a pencil, stick, or other implement to keep the wick from moving.
  5. Once wax has reached desired temperature, add colorant. Stir well.
  6. Add fragrance at the recommended amount (often 6% to 10%). Stir well.
  7. Gently pour wax into container or mold and allow to cool until a slight dip appears in the wax. Top off with remaining wax. This step may need to be repeated a few times to achieve the desired effect.
  8. Once candle has cooled, removed from the mold, if one was used. Trim the wick to about 1/4 inch.
  9. Enjoy!

Which Wick to Choose

Of all the components needed for candle making, wicking is perhaps the most confusing for many and for good reason. Candles require just the right amount of heat to prevent uneven burns. Choose your wicking based on the height and width of your finished candle plus which wax base you want to use. To get the best burn, always run a few test burns to determine which wicking is best for your own application. (Test burn instructions are available on many supplier websites.)

  • Zinc core — Typically burns cooler than most core wicking; relatively rigid, making these good for tea lights, votives, and containers; work best with paraffin; not well-suited for soy, beeswax, or other vegetable-based waxes.
  • Paper core — Burns hotter than zinc core wicking but cooler than cotton-based wicking; relatively rigid; good for votives and containers made with paraffin.
  • Hemp core — Rigid wicking suitable for containers, votives, and pillars; best with paraffin and paraffin blends.
  • Flat braided — Usually cotton; good burn; wicks do curl; good for paraffin-based pillars, tapers, and dipped candles.
  • Square braided — Usually cotton; good burn; wicks do curl; good for beeswax, soy waxes, and paraffin; best for large containers.
  • Wooden — The most rigid; non-smoking; no trimming needed; good for containers, pillars, votives; suitable for all wax bases.
lit-candle
by Kristi Cook Handmade candles are some of the most delightful DIY gifts to both create and to receive.

Candle Waxes Explained

Each wax base has its pros and cons, including base color, base odor, scent throw, stickiness, color acceptance, and melting points, making each wax suitable for different applications. When in doubt, opt for the wax blends that are suitable for multiple applications.

  • Beeswax — Natural, hard wax available in blocks, sheets, and flakes or pellets; emits a soft honey fragrance while boasting a soft yellow color; suitable for pillars, tapers and container candles; can be sticky if used in high quantities, requiring the use of a silicone spray for an easier mold release; may develop a harmless ‘bloom’ over time that gives the appearance of frost on the surface of the candle.
  • Soy wax — Vegan wax available in flakes or pellets; considered renewable and biodegradable; white in color; good scent throw; longer burn time than paraffin; suitable for containers, wax melts, and votives. May be used for pillars when combined with paraffin or harder waxes.
  • Paraffin — Petroleum by-product available in blocks or slabs; hard, white, and odorless; excellent scent throw; excellent color retention; available in low-melt and high-melt points.
  • Blends — A blend of various waxes used to achieve specific results such as improved mold release, rigidity, improved scent throw or burn time, higher or lower melt points, etc.

Kristi Cook lives in Arkansas where every year brings something new to her family’s journey for a more sustainable lifestyle. She keeps a flock of laying hens, dairy goats, a rapidly growing apiary, a large garden, and more. When she’s not busy with the critters and veggies, you can find her sharing sustainable living skills through her workshops and articles.


Originally published in the November/December 2024 issue of Countryside and Small Stock Journal and regularly vetted for accuracy.

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