You approach candles making with the belief that it’s simple when you first start. You start your research and realize that it’s not quite as simple as you thought. If you’re here, you are probably in the “research” phase of your new venture or you have already made a batch but it did not turn out how you wanted. You’ve found the best place to get tips on candles making!
Candles making is an art form. It’s not something you can rush and it is rare to get it right on your first attempt. You can have different results depending on your specific needs. That’s okay. There is no “one” way to do it. You can use several candle tricks when you want to tweak your kit formulas.
Candles can be personal each candle maker has a style or preference based on the way they want their candle to look and how they want it to be lit. Start your candle making journey with a starter kit that includes pre-measured and detailed instructions. You can then adjust the kit as you gain more experience. Here are 10 Candle Tips & Tricks that every candle maker should know.
It’s Acceptable to Make Mistakes
When their first batch of candles does not turn out as they had hoped, novice candle makers may become discouraged. If you believe that this is not for you or that the wax and supplies are useless, don’t give up. Since this is how you learn the most and become familiar with the ingredients, you are allowed to make mistakes the first few times. If you trust the process, you will enjoy finding your new passion.
You can experiment with your candle by adding additional raw materials to your wax melts. You can reuse your “failed batches” in many different ways. We can share a few “pro-candle tips”. Use it to decorate your home, or add some spice to your next batch. How? How? You can colorize the wax and create something with it!
Practice and Patience
It takes time, effort and the right materials to make your perfect candle. You can make coconut wax candles and scented candles. But you need to experiment with your formula. Keep practicing and being patient until you achieve the desired quality.
Notes of Takedown
You should document your experience, especially if you have started to create your own formula. You can use your candle journal to keep track of what you’ve done, what worked and what didn’t, and the formulas and wax melts you used for each batch. It will also help you see the results for each batch or combination when you test-burn your candle. Take note of the date and time you made the candle, the type and percentages of wax, fragrance oils and wick size you used.
Understand your Wax
You can make candles from over 60 different types of wax. For example, you can choose to use soy wax or even coconut wax. This means there are literally hundreds of combinations. If you are unsure where to begin, this is a good place to start.
Find out about Wicks
Different wicks will react differently with different wax melts. The wick will affect your candle’s life, its light, safety, and burn. You should match it to the type you are making. When choosing a candle wick, you should consider the size of the candle, the fragrance, and the color. Online, you can find “cheatsheets” or charts of the wick options. You can use this to guide your selection of wicks or make one yourself.
Study up on Scents
Fragrances are another important component. There are many ways to scent your candles. We all like scented candle and want them to last a long time. Our blog has a lot of information on fragrances and how to create your own blend. But, it is not enough to understand the notes of fragrances and how to make your blend.
You also need to know the effects of each oil or raw material. Some oils will not work well if you add them to the wax melt when it is too hot. Others may not mix with coconut wax. And some can cause your wick to clog, resulting in a strange-looking candle light. Some scented candles are only pleasant to smell but do not produce good candle lights.
More is less
We get it! You might want to be creative and add extra decorative elements to your candle, such as flowers or stones. Or you may want to create a scented candles that will make your home smell wonderful. But relax! We can give you the best candle tips by telling you not to overdo it. Sometimes a simple, minimalist candle can be the best option. Be careful with the added elements as they can cause a fire.
Avoid Prodding your Candles
It’s one of many candle tricks, and it might seem strange. But if you are looking to avoid under-burning and have beautiful candle lights, make sure there are no air pockets in the candle when you are making it.
Before pouring the next layer, use a skewer to poke holes in your pillar or container candles, especially those that have a larger diameter and higher height. Relief holes are used to remove air pockets from your candle when it cools and shrinks. This will help the candle to become more compact, and reduce the risk of an under-burning candle and tunneling.
Secure your Wicks
The most common mistake made by a candlemaker is to not anchor the wick. Metal tabs at the end of the wick will only prevent it from being pulled out, but they do not guarantee that the wick will stay put. Anchor your wick to the top and bottom of the mold. Use putty or sticky tape to prevent leaks and keep the wick in place.
Your Best Friend is a Blow Dryer
Add this tip to your candle-making tips! Sometimes the top of your candle may have bubbles or uneven edges. It’s not necessary to redo everything or scrape the surface. Turn your blow dryer to the lowest setting, and use circular motions to heat up the top of the candle. The heat from your blow dryer will melt the top layer on your candle. Let it cool and voila! Your candle will be as smooth as ice after using a blow dryer to smooth out the top layer. Are you able to share any candle-making tips or tricks with beginners? Your thoughts are welcome! We’d love to hear your thoughts.
