How to make a paraffin candle. DIY wax candles: master class with video. Preparing a gel candle

Candles are an attribute of any holiday. In stores you can find candles of different colors, shapes and sizes. But, unfortunately, it is not always possible to find the “candle of your dreams.” Besides, you want your holiday decoration to be special. You can realize your original design ideas by making candles with your own hands.

Cinder candles

Collected candle cinders and pieces of paraffin can be melted down into a new candle. To do this, you will need floss thread, a beer can, a juice bag or any other shape, sunflower oil and, of course, the candle stubs themselves. They can even be different colors. In this case, you will get an original “rainbow” candle.

Remove the wicks from the remaining candles, place all the pieces of paraffin in a metal container and place in a water bath.

If you are using white paraffin, but want to make a colored candle, crumble baby wax crayons into a container. To make a candle with a pearlescent tint, add eye shadow to the original material. By adding a few drops of essential oil to melted paraffin, you can make a scented candle.

While the paraffin is melting, prepare the mold for pouring. Lubricate its walls with sunflower oil to make the frozen candle easier to remove.

Make a wick. To do this, twist several strands of floss tightly. The thicker the candle, the more thread is needed for the wick. Soak the wick with melted paraffin. Tie one end of the wick to a pencil and place it on top of the mold. The end of the wick should touch the bottom of the mold. You can additionally fix the wick from below. To do this, pierce a hole in the center of the bottom of the mold, pull the end of the wick through it and secure it by tying a knot on the outside.

Pour about two-thirds of the melted paraffin into the mold and leave overnight. In the morning, when the paraffin hardens, a depression will form in the middle of the candle. Melt the remaining paraffin in a water bath and fill this “crater” with it.

Then leave the candle for another day. When the paraffin has completely hardened, remove the candle from the mold. If sunflower oil does not help and the paraffin still sticks to the walls of the mold, put it in the freezer for 10 minutes or keep it in hot water.

DIY coffee candle

To make a coffee candle you will need 5 white paraffin candles or several candle stubs, 4-5 tbsp. l. coffee beans, beer can, juice box or other shape, pencil, knife, sunflower oil, floss, small saucepan or bowl.

First, chop the candles with a knife and remove the wicks from them.

Melt the pieces of paraffin in a water bath.

While the paraffin is melting, prepare the mold and wick in the same way as described above.

When the paraffin melts, without removing the pan from the water bath, add coffee beans, and after 10 minutes, remove them and place them on the bottom of the mold, filling it almost halfway.

Pour a small amount of paraffin over the coffee beans to prevent them from floating and cool slightly.

When this layer of paraffin has hardened, melt the remaining paraffin and fill the mold to the top. When the candle has hardened, remove it from the mold.

Hold the layer of grains over the fire for a few seconds so that the paraffin melts slightly and the grains become more noticeable.

DIY fruit candle

To make a fruit candle you will need a lemon, orange, grapefruit or any other citrus fruit with a thick peel, several white or yellow candles, floss, a small pan or bowl, and a pencil.

Cut the fruit in half and carefully remove the pulp, being careful not to damage the peel. The peel halves will serve as candle holders. Twist several strands of floss into a rope and soak them in paraffin or remove the wick from the candle. Tie one end of the wick to a pencil and place it on top of the peel half. Make a hole in the bottom of the peel, pull the lower end of the wick through it and tie it with a knot on the outside.

Chop the candles with a knife, remove the wicks from them, and melt the pieces of paraffin in a water bath. Pour melted paraffin over the peel halves and leave until hardened.

Pictures for candles

Even the simplest candle can be turned into a festive one in 5 minutes. To do this, you will need a thick candle, paper napkins with a pattern, scissors and a teaspoon or tablespoon.

Carefully cut out a picture from a napkin that you would like to decorate the candle with. Please note that such napkins are usually multi-layered, but you will only need one, upper layer with an image. You can cut out one design or several, gluing them around the entire circumference of the candle.

Lightly heat a spoon over an open flame.

Attach the design to the candle and gently smooth it with a warm spoon, moving from the center to the edges of the picture.

And if you choose a picture of Santa Claus as the plot, you will get such a beautiful New Year’s candle, which will decorate the New Year’s interior and will be good New Year's gift .

DIY gel candle

Transparent gel candles look very unusual. Besides external beauty, they have one more advantage: the gel burns slower than paraffin. In general, the principle of making a gel candle is the same as a paraffin candle. However, there are a number of features.

To make a gel candle, pour 5 parts of colorless gelatin with 20 parts of water. After 30-40 minutes, add 25 parts of glycerin to the swollen gelatin. Place the mixture over low heat and heat until a clear solution is obtained. Separately, take 10 parts of glycerin, heat it and dissolve 2 parts of tannin in it. Mix both solutions. You will end up with a cloudy solution. Heat it for some more time until it becomes transparent. Please note that the gel cannot be heated to temperatures above 120 °C, as in this case the oil part will begin to decompose, the gel will turn out cloudy and will smell unpleasant. Try to stir the gel as little as possible, otherwise bubbles will form in it. If bubbles still appear, place the candle on a well-lit windowsill. The gel will warm up and the bubbles will disappear.

Pour the finished gel into glass mold with wick.

You can use any beautiful shape as a form. glass vessel with not too thin walls. Wash it thoroughly, dry it and heat it in the oven. This is done to reduce the temperature difference between the gel and the walls of the vessel. If this difference is too large, bubbles will form near the walls of the mold. In addition, temperature changes can cause glass to burst.

The wick is made and attached in the same way as for paraffin candles. Of course, it is impossible to pierce a glass vessel, so the lower end of the wick is glued to the bottom with glue.

The gel is poured along the walls of the mold. Do not pour it in a stream under any circumstances.

You can make an original candle by placing non-flammable materials in the lower part of the mold: pebbles, shells, beads. The decorations are poured into an empty mold without a wick, filled with gel and left. When the gel hardens, a hole is pierced with a knitting needle and the lower part of the wick is inserted there. The top one is attached to the pencil as usual. Then the mold is filled with the remaining gel to the brim.

Candles are an attribute of many holidays and. Candles create the very atmosphere that helps you relax and plunge into a world of harmony. To learn how to make candles with your own hands, a master class will be extremely necessary; this is the easiest way to master the manufacturing technology and create real works of art from paraffin.

Master class for beginners: multi-colored decorative candle in a glass

We don't need special devices or expensive materials. Buy in store:

several white candles;
a plastic cup with thick walls;
thin wooden stick;
clothespin;
wax pencils;
several cans of condensed milk, green peas or corn.

We will cut the candles into small pieces, set the wick aside, we will need it for making our candle.

Preparing the wick

In order for it to hold securely, we will make a small hole in the bottom of the glass and stretch the wick into it, and tie a wooden stick to it from the outside. Pull the wick and secure it with a clothespin on top.

Melt the wax

The basis of the master class on DIY decorative candles is the process of preparing wax. To do this, find a saucepan that can simultaneously hold five jars of wax. We heat water in it, put the same amount of wax in each jar, add finely chopped pencils to the jars. We are waiting for the wax to melt and the masses to become homogeneous.

Fill the mold with paraffin

At the very bottom we pour white paraffin, to which we did not add a pencil, then pour wax of different colors in turn, the faster you do this, the softer the boundaries between colors will be. The brightness of the color can be changed by varying the number of pencils added.

Remove the candle from the mold

Let's wait until the paraffin hardens completely (1.5-2 hours). After this, you can carefully remove it from the glass.

DIY decorative candle ideas

Once you have mastered the manufacturing technology, you can begin experimenting and unusual decoration. We offer you some simple but original ideas.

Candles with ice

You will need a round mold, paraffin, ice, a wick, a jar and a pan of water to melt the paraffin, and wax crayons for color. All manufacturing steps are the same as described above, but the wax must be the same color. We fix the wick in the mold, pour out pieces of ice, then pour in paraffin so that the surface is even. Leave the workpiece until the paraffin has completely dried, then add water and take out the candles. The larger the pieces of ice, the more massive the patterns will be.

Round candles in Japanese style

To create this option, we will need special round molds for making candles. They can be purchased in stores or ordered online. Melt the paraffin and pour it into the mold, after a few minutes we pierce the mass in the middle wooden stick, insert the wick and fill the hole with paraffin. When the wax has completely hardened, carefully remove the craft from the mold, print out the hieroglyph on the computer and attach it to the candle, run a hot iron over it several times to glue it.

Candle-aquarium

If you have been invited to a birthday or any other holiday, and you don’t know what to give to the hero of the occasion, you can create a whole work of art - an aquarium candle. For this we need a small round container, similar to an aquarium. You need to pour decorative small stones into it, secure the wick and place figurines of fish and jellyfish and shells as close to the glass as possible. Before pouring, tie the wick to a stick so that it stands straight and does not move to the side. To make the composition transparent, nothing should be added to the paraffin.

Master class on making gel candles

IN Lately Gel candles are especially popular. The manufacturing process is exciting, because you can come up with any composition using shells, figurines, sand, flowers. The gel can be poured into any glass container with thick walls.

We offer you a master class on DIY gel candles, with which you can prepare gifts for your loved ones for the New Year.

First, let's prepare the materials:

mulled wine glass with thick glass;
gel for filling (you can purchase ready-made or make it at home);
3 cinnamon sticks;
dried clove flowers;
dry lemon pieces;
small snowflakes made of hard material;
wick.

Fix the wick in the glass, fill the container with gel, then carefully lower all the decorations into it. The liquid is quite viscous, so all objects will be on the surface or in the thickness of the gel. If you want some of the decorations to be at the bottom, then they need to be placed in the glass before pouring.

To prepare the gel you will need

gelatin – 10 g;
water – 40 g;
glycerin – 70 g;
tannin – 4 gr.

Dissolve gelatin in water, add 50 g. glycerin, put the mixture on low heat and stir until it becomes homogeneous. Then prepare the second mass - the remaining 20 grams. combine glycerin with 4 g. tannin, the mixture will be cloudy; to achieve transparency, it needs to be boiled for a few seconds. Let's combine both mixtures, the candle gel is ready!

Coffee scented candles

At home, you can prepare scented candles that will delight not only with beautiful appearance, but also soothing or tonic scents. We present to your attention a master class on DIY coffee candles.

Required ingredients:

paraffin;
juice box (it will replace the pouring mold);
wick;
coffee beans;
ribbons for decoration;
vanillin.

We put the paraffin in a water bath, and at this time we prepare the mold for pouring. To do this, it is better to use a small juice box, cutting off the top part from it. In our case, the candle will be square, but if you wish, you can take another shape and make it round.

When the mold is ready, fix the wick. We tie one end to a toothpick, which must be placed on the top of the mold, and secure the wick from below with a few drops of melted paraffin. Pay attention to the thickness of the wick: the wider and more massive the candle, the thicker it should be.

Let's return to paraffin. When it has completely melted, add vanillin and coffee beans, heat the food on the fire for another 10 minutes until a pleasant aroma appears. Place 10 coffee beans at the bottom of the mold, fill half of the mold with paraffin, and wait 2 hours. Then pour 10 more grains on top and pour out the remaining paraffin. Leave the wax for 12 hours, then carefully cut the mold and take out the finished candle.

Making wedding candles at home

Traditionally, at a wedding, two thin candles are used, which symbolize the bride and groom, and one large one - the family hearth.

You can make your own wedding candles. The master class will help you create real works of art. Let's prepare materials:

mold for thin candles;
mold for a round candle “family hearth”;
paraffin
3 wicks
lace, fabric flowers, ribbons for decoration;
contours on glass for decorating thin candles.

To make wedding candles, paraffin must be white. First, let's prepare a large round candle. To do this, place a wick in the mold, pour paraffin, wait a few hours until it hardens. The “family hearth” candle is ready.

Carved candles - a job for true masters

If you decide to learn how to make carved candles with your own hands, a master class will not be enough. First, you need to prepare multi-colored containers where the candle will be dipped; a constant temperature (75-90 degrees) must be maintained in them using a water bath.

So, for work we need to prepare materials and tools:

container with paraffin of different colors;
paraffin blank (candle base);
container with cold water;
sharp knife;
acrylic candle varnish.

You can make the blank yourself by pouring paraffin into a round or square shape, the most hard work starts later. When the candle is ready, it needs to be dipped 30 times into containers with paraffin of various colors, but after 1 time it must be dipped into white wax. Then we put it in for a while cold water, cut off the smudges to level the base and you can get to work. Remember that the drawing or pattern needs to be thought out in advance, since everything will have to be done very quickly - the paraffin will harden in 15 minutes. The easiest way to carve is to use a thin knife to cut small sections and bend the ends. We tilt the first row in one direction, the second in the other, etc.

To protect the carving, dip the finished craft in acrylic varnish.

Making candles at home - exciting activity which requires care and perseverance. Try to make one simple candle, and you will not notice how you will learn how to create carved compositions. We will also reveal secrets.

You are on the verge of an amazing discovery in the world of candles.

In order not to throw a bunch of materials for making candles into the trash, you first need to study their properties.

How to save your time?
How to protect yourself from beginner mistakes?
How to save on materials and not throw away money spent on materials and their delivery?
Want to learn how to make candles yourself?
Do you want a new hobby that you can make money from?
Then read the article to the end!

From the many materials for creating candles, it is not easy to choose the ones you need. There are a huge number of articles on candle making on the Internet, and, to put it mildly, not all of them are true. Often online stores that sell materials for candles (or for soap and candles) sell them and give incorrect advice or are simply trying to sell you more (in other words, make money off of you).

It is necessary to take into account the properties of each material and separate the necessary from the unimportant.

Candle maker's work table

Your workbench, where you will make candles, should be protected from paraffin, dyes and everything else with which you will create.

The table needs to be covered.

This could be an old newspaper and a magazine divided into sheets, plastic, old cut bags.

It is very convenient to use silicone baking mats (blue and red are mine).

Of course, before starting work, put on an apron or clothing that you don’t mind. If paraffin drips onto clothing, it will be almost impossible to return it to its original form.

Why is a silicone mat so good?

Drops of paraffin that fall past the mold easily come away from it.

It is easy to clean.

Easy to fold, roll and put away.

It is soft and pleasant to the touch.

Water bath device

The very first thing you can’t do without is water bath.

All candles are made from candle mass melted at water bath, otherwise there is no way to melt it. No way! Under no circumstances should candle mass be melted in a microwave, double boiler, or slow cooker...

Otherwise, the paraffin will instantly overheat and ignite!

If you don’t want a fire, then strictly follow these tips.

Water bath only!

What is a water bath?

You will need an old metal saucepan (you will not use it anywhere else) and a smaller ladle, preferably with a long handle.

Water is heated and boiled in a saucepan, heating the candle mass in the ladle. Gradually the mass melts. In this way, paraffin will never reach the boiling point. This means that harmful fumes will not be released into the air you breathe.

Make sure that the melted candle mass does not drip onto the stove.

When paraffin comes into contact with a hot object (or when boiling), it evaporates, releasing harmful fumes. Don't be confused! When melted in a water bath, paraffin does not release anything!

My saucepans look like these two photos. I purchased one ladle from a specialized online store in the USA, and the second I bought secondhand. More convenient with plastic handle, because doesn't heat up.

Food grade paraffin (P-2)

Why is paraffin called food paraffin? It is used in Food Industry, for example, in coating cheeses to slow down the spoilage of the product.

Paraffin comes in shavings (loose, photo on the left), and comes in lumps (below in the photo). Buying paraffin in briquettes (in sheets) is cheaper.

Paraffin is a product of petroleum distillation.
Substance white crystalline structure, in the molten state it has low viscosity.
Melting point t pl = 40-65 °C.
Density 0.880-0.915 g/cm³ (15 °C).

Pay attention when purchasing paraffin to its markings. There is also technical paraffin (marked T), which contains a high percentage of technical oils, from which food paraffin is maximally purified!

It is cheaper to buy paraffin in briquettes, but in this case you will have to buy 5 briquettes in a bag, and each factory makes about 5 kg. I’m already used to it and buy paraffin in bulk, 25-45 kg each.

At retail, paraffin is most often sold in shavings (flakes), since it is easier for the seller to pour it and weigh it.

What else is needed, besides paraffin, for candles?

Candles can only be made from paraffin. Then you get the same effect as in the photo. After the candle hardens, the surface turns out to be with bubbles, streaks, or “snowy” - as they say - that is, non-uniform.

This is due to the fact that paraffin requires a so-called “plasticizer”, because paraffin hardens unevenly.

The snowy effect is great for holiday candles!

We’ll look further at what to do if we want to avoid this effect.

In the meantime, take a look at how you can use the effect!

An important property of paraffin is shrinkage

Due to the fact that paraffin molecules have a weak bond, there is no surface tension, such as that of water, or, for example, a molten soap base. It's weak. Thus, when the paraffin hardens, firstly, it settles, and secondly, a funnel is formed, as in the photo.

How to remove this funnel?- most frequently asked question. Don't be alarmed when you see a funnel and don't think it's your fault. This funnel always appears. It's important to just hide it. But how?

During the process of hardening the paraffin, it is necessary to pierce the hardening surface with a long knitting needle or stick to remove excess air and open the voids.

And then top up.

This way the funnel can be hidden.

Stearin

Remember we talked about the “snowiness” effect? It can be removed. Stearin can serve as a plasticizer, a binder for paraffin molecules.

That is, if you put paraffin and a little stearin in a water bath, the snowflake effect will disappear and the color will be even.

Stearin is used in the production of candles as an additive to paraffin (10-20%) or in its pure form.

Solid, translucent mass, greasy to the touch.

Melting point t pl 53-65°C.
Density 0.92 g/cm 3 (20°C).

Stearin candles burn evenly and do not melt; they do not change their shape when exposed to heat.

But making candles from pure stearin is quite expensive. Therefore, it is better to have stearin and add it to paraffin so that the candle mass shrinks less and so that the candle “flows” less.

Formula for making candles from paraffin and stearin:

80% paraffin + 20% stearin. Try it!

Natural beeswax*

*For adherents of everything natural, there is the opportunity to make candles from beeswax, soybean (etc.) wax.

When I purchased a natural large briquette of natural beeswax, I fell in love with this material at first sight! Why do we need all these artificial flavors when we have the most delicious honey beeswax? Ehhhh...

Beeswax is a waste product of bees. Registered as a food additive E-901.

It is secreted by special glands of honey bees; bees use it to build honeycombs.

White solid (with slight yellow tint) to a yellow-brown color with a characteristic honey smell.

Has strong bactericidal properties.

At a temperature of 35 °C the wax becomes plastic.

Melts at a temperature of 62-68 °C.

I pour this wax into small silicone molds (I will show these forms later). The candles are small in weight, fragrant and beautiful.

By the way, I use a separate bowl to melt the beeswax, because it is difficult to wipe off the wax.

Beeswax is aromatherapy
Hardens many times faster than paraffin
Natural product

But, of course, beeswax - expensive product. It costs 4 times more than paraffin.

Candle molds

When you start making candles, life turns into a constant search for candle molds. Until you acquire professional forms.

My secret weapon was cotton swab jars.

They come not only in a round shape, but also in the shape of a heart or a flower.

Who said that unprofessional forms are bad candles?

The main thing is that the candle mass, dyes and flavors are at their best. The execution, of course, too :-)

Polycarbonate molds

I purchased these forms in the USA. The forms are convenient because they are transparent.

However, polycarbonate does not last forever and will crack over time.

I recently threw away one mold (it cracked and started leaking) after 4 years of use.

Plastic molds for candles

These forms are stronger and cheaper than polycarbonate.

However, the downside is that they are opaque.

Another difference is that they have a plug (lid) at the base of the form. This is quite convenient when you need to remove a finished candle.

Soft plastic for mini candles

These are the forms (used in making soap).

Using a hot knitting needle, holes are made for the wick, and the mold is ready for making mini candles.

Plastic molds Milkyway Molds

There are also these very interesting plastic forms.

I haven’t seen anything like this in Russia yet.

Molds produced by Milky Way Molds, consisting of two parts. This is a durable plastic that can withstand temperatures of 200º C.

I have these molds, but I don’t make candles out of them... they are too bulky... about 2 kg!

Metal molds(aluminum, steel, etc.)

Metal forms are “forever”. Durable, stable, super, in a word. Molds are made of aluminum, steel, and other metals.

You need to be careful, because... The metal heats up quickly from the poured candle mixture, you can get burned.

The thickness of the mold is 1-3 mm. I really enjoyed pouring candles into metal molds. The candles come out smooth.

Silicone baking molds

You can use silicone molds for baking or ice: tall molds in the shape of hearts, cupcakes, roses, as well as small molds in the shape of fish, stars, etc. as decoration for candles.

Silicone baking molds are flexible, inexpensive, but when the bottom is pierced, they are not so durable (when the candle is removed from the mold, the hole gradually breaks through, and this leads to paraffin leakage when pouring, although this can be solved with paper tape or other secrets, which I talk about in my master classes).

Silicone forms self made

Silicone molds can be purchased at the store. But there are such unique silicone molds that are not so easy to make, which is why I will tell you about them. I order my silicone molds from a master. These are not all the forms I have.

To make a candle, you need experience.

Make your own silicone mold

According to the preparation technology, silicones can be two-component (the so-called “compounds”): consisting of a base and a catalyst (hardener), which must be mixed in a certain proportion before use, and one-component – ready for use.

To make the mold we need a two-component compound. When both components are mixed, they begin to gradually harden.

Make your own mold from plasticine or take a ready-made one (ball, toy, etc.), place it in a disposable bucket (jar or any other container, secure firmly with glue or tape. Mix the components in the ratio of 100 grams of base and 3.5 - 5 gram of hardener and pour in. After 8-10 hours the mold is ready.

It is better if, when pouring silicone, you simply leave a place where you will later pour wax. Otherwise, you will have to cut the mold and, when pouring wax, strengthen it with rope or rubber bands. The trouble is that hot wax deforms the shape.

But subsequent experiments have shown that the silicone mold is in any case cut lengthwise (or crosswise, which is unimportant for us), because the plasticine master model cannot be removed otherwise.

Be prepared for sudden and unpleasant smell both liquid silicone and frozen form. Be sure to add fragrance to the future candle, otherwise the candle mass will absorb the pungent odor of silicone.

And also do not skimp on the catalyst (it is better to put 1 g more than less). Otherwise, nothing will harden, the mixture will not set, and you will have to take out the master model from liquid, very sticky and unpleasant silicone and fill it all over again (after fiddling with soap and a brush).

This is the candle I made from a homemade silicone mold. I wasn’t very pleased with the result and the process, so I decided to order the molds from a craftsman. Which is what I still do to this day.

Making your own mold from plaster

In this case, we will make a mold from plaster. First, you need to sculpt the intended future shape from plasticine.

Where the mold is supposed to be socketed, you need to insert the blades of a safety razor into the plasticine, not very deeply. This entire structure is covered with plaster. The blades will help you quickly separate the mold (hardened plaster does not cut and crumbles into small pieces).

These are the mini candles I got.

Wick

You can buy wicks for your future ingenious creations at candle factories or in specialized stores.

But you need to know that there are a huge number of types and sizes of wicks on sale.

It is very important to choose the right wick for a candle.

If the wick is too thick, then the candle flame will be large and the candle will burn too quickly, but if the wick is too thin, then it will burn faster than the paraffin, and the candle will “choke” and go out.

To make the wick, we use natural cotton thread, which does not smoke or crack when burning.

Wicks are usually marked with numbers.

No. 1 - for candles up to 3 cm in diameter,

No. 2 - for candles 3-5 cm in diameter,

No. 3 - for candles 5-6 cm in diameter,

No. 4 - for candles from 6 cm in diameter.

When you get molds, just ask the manufacturer what wicks are available and buy at least 2-3 different thicknesses, this way you will test your candles and understand which ones are better.

Where else can I get a wick?

If you decide not to buy paraffin and stearin yet and make candles from old candles or from store-bought ones, then the wick can be removed from the candles.

The only negative is that the thickness of the wick cannot be selected.

Alternatives to store-bought wicks

Jute twine
Cotton thread twisted several times
Crocheted cotton braid

Dye

The candle mass and wick have been prepared. Great! Now the question arises: how to color candle mass? This is done very simply. When the candle mass has already melted in a water bath, add a piece of dye. I mean a dye intended specifically for candles. I have a huge number of them.

Color intensity depends on the amount of dye.

Keep in mind that the brightness of the color of the molten candle mass always more than cooled wax. Therefore, if it seems that there is enough color, add a little more.

And then it will really be enough! :)

Sometimes there is no opportunity or time to get a special dye. Read the next paragraph to understand what effect each coloring method will give.

How not to color candles

There are many options to make your candle unique. One of them is giving the candle color.

When I first started making candles, there wasn't much on hand as a candle dye.

And most importantly, there was little good and “literate” at hand.

After all, mixing paraffin and dyes is all kinds of chemical reactions, and you have to be with it more careful.

Still, I wanted color. I started with gouache.

Gouache... Bad, very bad.

Fortunately, I don’t have a single candle painted this way.

The fact is that it is almost impossible to paint candle mass with gouache: small particles gouaches settle to the bottom of the kindling, and even if you shake the paint a little when filling the mold with wax, it still settles.The result is a very pale shade, and this makes it cloudy and untidy.

One day I was simply visited by nostalgia (I still wanted to pour, even without normal dyes). And just to chance, I poured EARTH FROM A TANK OF FLOWERS into the melted wax!!! It looked funny, of course, a white candle with something dark visible at the bottom. At first glance, there seem to be no shortcomings.

Since ancient times, beeswax has been considered a valuable material; it was not easy to obtain. It was originally used to make candles, which were quite expensive. With the widespread development of beekeeping, everything has become much more accessible. However, real wax is still common only in narrow circles of beekeepers. But if you yourself or your relatives are engaged in beekeeping, it will not be difficult for you to get material to create wax candles with your own hands, which will serve interesting elements decor or great gifts for loved ones.

Natural beeswax has many advantages over paraffin or, for example, gel. Wax candles do not form soot when burning and do not emit carcinogens. They also contain propolis and natural essential oils, which have a beneficial effect on our body when burning.

Among other advantages, it is worth noting that with the spread of industry and urban life, people began to lose touch with nature and therefore value even small news from the green world more. And candles made from natural beeswax have every right to be considered a link between urbanization and artisan origins.

Rules for working with wax

To avoid force majeure that may overtake you when working with wax, remember a few simple rules:

Always use an apron. It is desirable that it be made of thick canvas fabric.

When working with wax, do not wear revealing clothing. It is better if you wear a sweater or long-sleeved shirt to avoid getting burned if hot wax gets on your body.
The wax begins to melt at a temperature of 65°, you need to make sure that the wax does not overheat, otherwise it may ignite. This can be easily prevented by heating the material in a water bath, when the condition of the wax can be constantly monitored.
When heating the wax, you need to be constantly nearby, you cannot leave.
If wax catches fire, you should never put it out with water, otherwise an explosion may occur. In this case, you should always have baking soda on hand.

By following all the rules for working with wax, this activity will bring you only joy and pleasure.

Materials and preparation for work

To make original candles, you need to choose their design and color in advance, decide whether they will be flavored or regular.

For work we need following materials and tools:

water bath pan;
container for melting wax;
molds for candles. It is better to lubricate them before work liquid soap, dish soap or vegetable oil;
baking soda;
wick. For wax candles, it is recommended to use natural cotton threads;
wax dyes. Natural wax crayons and food coloring are suitable (just not for water based), you can also use gel pigments;
stick or pencil. Needed to secure the wick;
wick weight;
natural wax. It can be purchased in specialized stores in the form of wax or granules.

Manufacturing progress

The process of making wax candles is quite simple to perform. If everything is done correctly and all simple conditions are met, you will enjoy not only the work itself, but also the excellent result. This master class will help you navigate the choice of product and perform it in the best possible way.

First you need to melt the wax in a water bath.

On a note! If you purchased large pieces of material, it is better to cut it into smaller pieces.

Next we proceed to fixing the wick. We attach a weight to the lower end of the thread so that the future wick does not dangle when filling the mold with wax. If it is possible to make a hole in the bottom of the container, then thread the thread there and tie a knot at its end; in this case, a weight is not required. It is advisable to wax the thread itself. Tie the upper end of the wick to a pencil or stick, as shown in the photo:

Now you can start filling the mold with wax. Let the wax harden. There is no need to rush to remove the finished candle from the mold; it is better to let it stay in it longer.

When the product has hardened well, you can pull it out of the container by pulling the end of the wick. This will work if there is a weight attached to the wick. If the thread is secured to the form with a knot, you just need to cut it.

If desired, you can easily and simply give the candle any color and shape. The color is created using dyes, the shape can be initially chosen to be curly. The simplest option is to use silicone molds for baking. They are easy to use, it is easy to get a ready-made candle from them, they can be found in any hardware store in a large assortment:

Also unusual look The candle can be decorated using paper gluing:

It is possible to use a split form:

The option of using ice to create an openwork candle is very simple and interesting. When filling the mold with wax, pieces of ice are added to it, which then flows out through the holes, leaving an unusual ornament:

It is possible to make a magnificent rose with your own hands from wax. This does not require any special skills. Making the petals yourself is not difficult. You need to pour the melted wax onto a saucer in a thin layer, then start wrapping the plates that are not completely frozen around the wick.

Video on the topic of the article

The videos below will help you complete the job of making wax candles correctly and without problems:

The soft scent of melting wax, the flickering of living lights, the magical aura of romance - candles can create a special atmosphere in the house, lift your mood or relieve stress after a hard day. They charge the home with the power of natural elements and protect it from negative energy. Scented candles, created by you from sketches of your own imagination, have even greater power, because they contain the warmth of your hands and the miracle of creation.

Fire has a magical effect: it can be destructive and life-giving, burning and warming, dazzling and illuminating. It is believed that a person can look at it forever. Accompanied by a candle flame, religious and witchcraft rituals take place - exactly the same as when accompanied by incense. Aroma candles are a beautiful tandem of scent and light; they are in particular demand among mystical, dreamy and sensual people. And if they also have high decorative value, then how can you do without them?

Handmade candles will allow you not only to express your creative potential, but also to provide pleasant gifts to all your friends and loved ones. And, who knows, maybe this exciting activity will turn into an easy source of income for you?

Making candles at home: materials and equipment

Everything you might need for exciting process candle making, can be purchased at craft stores and art stores. Making candles at home is not a very expensive pleasure, and for the first experiments you can get by with minimum quantity necessities.

To place original accents in the interior and create a pleasant atmosphere, you will need:

Wax, paraffin, stearin

Both pre-assembled cinders and special candle mass are suitable. Ten to twenty percent of stearin added to paraffin will give it hardness and reduce “weeping” when burning. Natural wax for candles you can buy from beekeepers - by the way, they will probably also have foundation for textured finish your creations.

Wick

You can make your own candle wick by twisting it from thick cotton threads. You can also use floss. However, it is much easier to purchase ready-made ones in a store - the price is more than affordable. Important point: The thickness of the wick greatly affects the burning quality of the candle. Too thin will give a weak flame, which will go out, choking on melted wax. Too thick - a guarantee of excessively intense combustion and soot.

Wax melting utensils

It must be heat resistant. For a small candle, any tin will do - the main thing is that you feel comfortable working with it (taking it out, holding it, tilting it).

Pot or bowl for water bath

There is only one requirement - it must be wider and lower than the melting vessel. Sustainability is encouraged.

Special dyes or wax pencils

Pigments for coloring candle mass can be in the form of powder or solid granules. Ordinary wax pencils from your child’s artistic arsenal can also be a worthy replacement for them. Water-soluble dyes are absolutely not suitable!

Essential oils

You can make scented candles with your own hands at home using synthetic fragrances, but, you see, this will reduce the magic to zero. Essential oils have powerful therapeutic properties, their range of aromas is rich - choosing a composition that is pleasant and beneficial for you will not be difficult at all. If desired, you can make do with vanilla, cinnamon, and ground coffee available at home.

Thin sticks

They will be needed to fix the wick exactly in the middle of the candle, stir dyes and flavors in hot paraffin, and also to apply an original “scratched” ornament to the finished candle.

Candle molds

Specialized stores will surprise you with a selection of molds for pouring paraffin, but making candles at home does not require any extra expenses. Real masterpieces with sparkle can also be achieved using an aluminum beer can, a Tetra-Pak bag, or a yogurt cup.

Napkins for decoupage, coffee beans, dried flowers, beautiful spices, beads, rhinestones

If you make candles with your own hands, then be sure to make them original. Decorative elements- offered by a store or found in your home treasures - a source of inspiration for creating a unique original work. And special candle glues, varnishes, outlines and markers will allow you to create the most elegant and colorful work. But keep in mind: only candles with large diameter and a thin wick.

Scented candle at home: work sequence

This process requires, first of all, caution: hot wax spilled on a towel, clothing, or skin can cause fire and burns. But otherwise, a scented candle at home is simple, interesting, and exciting!

Think over the design and aroma composition for the future candle. Measure out required amount pigments, choose decor. Prepare the mold and wick.

If you are pouring wax into a handy mold, make a small hole in the middle of its bottom. Thread the wick into it and tie a knot on the outside of the mold - this will later be the top part of the candle. Pull lightly until the knot fits well into the hole. Lightly grease the mold with vegetable oil or liquid soap. Place it on the bottom, and place two sticks on the upper walls - in diameter or diagonally. Place the wick between them so that it is stretched exactly in the middle of the candle.

Prepare a water bath. The water in it should not boil. You can put a cloth napkin on the bottom of the dish. Cut (break, grate) the candle mass into small pieces, place them in a heat-resistant container and set to melt. If necessary, add stearin.

The maximum temperature to which paraffin can be brought is 75 degrees.
Add pigments to the melted mass, and then flavors. Mix thoroughly.

Carefully, without moving the wick, pour the wax into the mold. Leave to harden for 15-30 minutes. The time depends on the thickness of the candle.

Untie the knot at the bottom of the mold, carefully pull the wick and remove the candle.
If the candle does not give in, put it in the freezer for 15 minutes, then it will easily slip out of the mold.

Cut the wick (the one at the bottom) to a length of 1 centimeter, and the bottom one to the root.
Your scented candle is ready! Now you can make a carved ornament on it, wrap it beautifully with twine, or decorate it using the decoupage technique.

By placing crushed ice in the mold before pouring the wax, you will get fantastic openwork candles.

You can make a candle in a glass glass, a cute jar, a coconut shell, a dried orange peel - in which case you will need a special metal wick holder. It must be glued to the bottom of the selected vessel.
Natural beeswax is much more suitable for scented candles with essential oil: it, unlike paraffin, does not emit harmful substances when burning, it saturates the air with useful substances.

Striped candles are easy: just pour layers of different colored wax one by one, after the previous one has hardened.

Rose essential oil has too intense an aroma. For many, burning a candle can feel suffocating.

The most popular oils for air aromatization:

Citrus fruits: orange, tangerine, bergamot, grapefruit, lime, lemon - improve mood, help overcome depression, are useful for improving body tone and preventing ARVI.
Lavender, mint, sandalwood, myrrh, styrax - relieve insomnia, relax, and clear the mind.
Jasmine, ylang-ylang, patchouli are the scents of a romantic evening.
Fir, cedar, pine, tea tree, vetiver, eucalyptus will help you get rid of colds faster and destroy germs and viruses in the air.

Making candles with an exquisite scent is therapeutic in itself. Creativity distracts from bad thoughts, reveals a person’s soul, and brings meaning and satisfaction to his life. Having created your fragrant wax masterpiece, light it, focus on the flame, relax and think: “Life is beautiful.”