Candle Making

History

Candles are used today for decorative, spiritual, and romantic purposes, and are popular items to give for gifts. Because candles are relatively easy to make and serve many purposes, candle making can be a rewarding craft for many ages and abilities.

The first candles burned tallow, or animal fats, lit by wicks made from reed and twigs. Containers were simply depressions in stone. The ancient Egyptians are credited with employing beeswax in the late Neolithic period and most likely invented papyrus wicks as well. Beeswax became one of the most significant candle fuels, favored for its clean-burning property, although it remains fairly difficult to obtain.

While candles were primarily functional objects, they also became associated early on with religious ceremonies and rituals. Candles accompanied sacrifices, deaths, funerals, prayer sessions, and other events. Today, candles continue to play a significant role in Hanukah and Advent celebrations. They are blessed during Candlemas, the Roman Catholic festival named for candles, and they decorate birthday cakes, which is a custom that originated in Christianity.

The Chinese used candles for clocks, keeping track of time as the candle burned down from one marked line to the next. Later on, other cultures attached weights that would fall from the candle each hour, alerting coal miners and others who were unable to watch the flame.

Many cultures obtained wax from vegetable and other plant oils. The Pilgrims discovered that the bayberry plant, which grew wild in the coastal areas of New England, made pleasant candles.

Major discoveries in the nineteenth century impacted the development of candles significantly. Stearin, or stearic acid, a fatty acid derived from animals and plants, was discovered early in the century and added to tallow and other fuels to extend burning times. Paraffin, a derivative of petroleum, was discovered in 1850, and soon replaced the rancid smell of burning animal fats. Wicks, which were by then primarily made from cotton, were found to burn better when braided, and manufacturers began to implement the new technique.

Candle-making technology continues to grow even in the twenty-first century. The newest invention, soy wax, is fast becoming a popular substitute for paraffin and the more expensive beeswax.

Equipment needed for melting wax

• Protected work surface
• Heating element (a stove or separate heating element and a double-boiler, or a slow-cooker or other concealed-element heater)
• Thermometer
• Scale
• Scissors or wick trimmer
• Knife
• Measuring tools
• Foil
• Cleaning supplies, including painter scraper

Safety equipment

• Baking soda
• Fire extinguisher
• Pot lid
• Pot holders and gloves
• Safety goggles
• Apron to protect clothes

Additives (some wax may already contain one or more of these)

• Stearin/Stearic acid
• Vybar (helps to avoid surface mottling)
• Microcrystalline waxes (helps to increase hardness)
• Gloss crystals (helps to increase gloss and color saturation)
• Commercial dyes chips or liquids, or fabric dye
• Natural dyes (onion skins, walnuts, coffee, tea, plant leaves, etc.)
• Fragrances (commercial wax beads, essential oils, herbs and spices, fruits, citronella, etc.)

Additional supplies needed to make poured candles

• Containers (commercial molds, milk cartons, tin cans, old jelly jars, ceramic holders, sand)
• Mold release spray (optional)
• Mold seal
• Phillips screwdriver
• Wicking-needle
• Dowel sticks
• Wooden spoons
• Metal pouring pitchers
• Weights

• Masking tape
• Ladle

• Cooling containers, bucket
• Bucket
• Water

• Special effect material (ice, balloons, shells, eggbeater for whipping wax, anything with an interesting texture, aluminum foil, etc.)
• Embellishing materials (stencils, acrylic paint, rubber stamps, dried flowers, foil cut-outs, etc.)

Additional supplies needed for dipped candles

• Drying rack, hooks, or rods
• Dowel stick, or dipping frame for multiple candles
• Metal dipping container
• Cardboard
• Bucket and water

Supplies needed to make rolled candles

• Beeswax or other sheet wax
• Cutting mat
• Metal ruler
• Knife
• Wick

• Primed wick (optional)
• Hair dryer (optional)

Techniques

• The three methods of making candles are cast (poured), dipped, and rolled.
• Primed wicks are highly desirable for all candle making methods. To prime a wick, dip it in a small amount of melted wax, remove, and hold it taut while the wax hardens. Wicks can be prepared in advance.
• If making cast candles, the wick is usually centered in the middle of the mold. Commercial molds contain a hole in the base through which the wick is inserted and then it is held in place with a wick screw and/or molding seal. The top end of the wick is wrapped around a dowel so that the wick is kept taut.
• When pouring, hot wax will gradually settle and will have to be topped off. Large pillar candles may require additional melting and pouring steps.
• For most candles, the optimal height of a wick is ¼" above the top. Trim as necessary.
• Wax can be melted and reused, so old candles and experiments that did not work out will be given new opportunities.
• For optimal and safe burning conditions, follow all instructions provided by manufacturers of candle making supplies. The wick, wax, and additives must all be suitable for use with each other.
• Keep all molds free from scratches, dents, dirt, and other intrusions that can mar the outer surface of the wax.

Safety Tips

• To avoid fires and other accidents, never leave hot wax unattended, do not heat above 300° Fahrenheit (most wax will only be heated to 140–200°), do not heat wax in containers with smaller tops than bases, and never allow the wax to boil over.
• To put out a fire, kept a pot lid, a fire extinguisher, and baking soda nearby.
• Wax will not wash off with water. If hot wax sticks to skin, wipe off liquid with a towel. When dry, wax can be peeled or scraped off.
• Children must be supervised at all times. Adults should be in charge of mixing and pouring hot wax.
• Keep burning candles away from paper, curtains, and other flammable materials.
• Keep burning candles away from open windows, fans, and other drafts.
• Clean up all messes after each candle-making session.
• Remove spilled wax on clothing by ironing the fabric with a piece of paper on top; remove wax from work surfaces and floors with a putty knife or paint scraper.

Trends

The candle-making industry introduces new scents, molds, and other supplies regularly. Check craft stores and websites for the latest. Soy wax and gels are popular, as are candles for aromatherapy. Unusual scents and earthier, more "masculine" scents have become popular, alongside classics like vanilla. Paraffin, soy, and beeswax pre-mixed with additives are helpful for beginners and save some preparation time. Natural materials like soy and beeswax appeal to hobbyists and consumers concerned over the potential long-term health effects, such as respiratory ailments, of inhaling particulates released by burning candles.

Trendy embellishments for candles include wire and beads, rubber stampings, and embedded photographs. The presentation, or the selection of container, label, and packaging, is just as important as the color, scent, and style of the candle. Wooden wicks, unusual shapes, personalized labels, and reusable containers have also become popular.

Candle-making enthusiasts can find instructions and a wide variety of materials online.

Candle Making for Fun vs. Profit

Candles are a multibillion-dollar industry in the US alone. The popularity of candles, the ease of making them, and the low investment provide for many opportunities to reap a profit in both the retail and wholesale markets. Home parties, local shops, consignment, and craft fairs may be the most lucrative retail markets; online retail, either through one's own website or e-commerce sites like Etsy or Amazon, is more competitive. It may be best to specialize in and master one candle-making technique. Another way to profit from this hobby is to host classes or workshops in candle making. One can also find employment in the industry.

Learning More

Organizations

National Candle Association <http://www.candles.org>

International Guild of Candle Artisans (IGCA) <http://www.igca.net/>

Books

Espino, Michelle. Candlemaking for Fun and Profit. New York: Random House, 2000.

Lea, Sandie. The Encyclopedia of Candle Making Techniques: A Step-by-Step Visual Guide. Philadelphia: Running Press, 1999.

Oppenheimer, Betty. The Candlemaker's Companion: A Complete Guide to Rolling, Pouring, Dipping, and Decorating Your Own Candles. Pownal, VT: Storey, 1997.