Making a church candle at home. Making candles at home. DIY decorative candles

Making candles at home as a business is a fairly original and profitable idea. But in order to implement it, it is necessary to initially plan and think through the concept, strategy and plan for the start and development of the company in order to avoid unnecessary expenses and problems.

Feedback from an entrepreneur:

“There are many articles on the Internet about how to open a candle business from home. Many of them are absolutely far from reality. Others do not give a clear idea of where to start and what the sequence of steps should be. The first problem I encountered was that candles for sale cannot be made in an apartment. For this you need a separate room - a garage, a shed private territory, but the apartment in apartment building. Secondly, it is not clear how to register and where to put the products. While I more or less figured out the technology from books, entrepreneurship itself was a dark forest at first, and brought a lot of fuss and useless actions during the first year.”

O. Shirokova, Moscow region, entrepreneur.

In order not to encounter the same problems, it is advisable to provide for all possible risks and reserves already at the planning stage.

First, you still need to master the technology in its most elementary form. Not as a business, but for yourself. See what happens, how aesthetically attractive and practical the product is. Then - plan the organizational and legal aspects of the case.

Search for premises

It’s good if there is a separate garage or other building. Otherwise, you will have to rent suitable production capacity. The minimum building area is 15 m2. At the same time, it is necessary to divide the space into two zones: work and warehouse. Machines and equipment will be installed in the production (working) part. At the same time, convenient approaches to them must be provided for production operations, maintenance, cleaning of machines. The warehouse area needs to maintain a constant optimal (18-20 degrees) temperature. The fact is that candles are easily deformed, stick together and do not tolerate temperature fluctuations.

A small light can always remove bad and sad thoughts from your head, and its light is so sincere: any conversation or confession by candlelight has a special aura and creates a truly unusual atmosphere.

Perhaps, it is precisely for this reason that a candle has long been considered an excellent gift, which can bring not only aesthetic pleasure, but also practical use.

How to make candles with your own hands at home: is it possible?

Naturally, such a thing as a candle can be purchased in a souvenir shop, because you can always find many different variations of candles there, but if you want to make a gift twice as pleasant, it is better to make it yourself. I would like to devote this article to the topic of how to make candles with your own hands at home.

In fact, making candles at home is not as difficult as it may seem initially, and if you approach this issue wisely, you will understand that in reality everything is quite simple.

As confirmation, we can cite the fact that people who decide to engage in the production of candles gradually get involved, and for them it is no longer just income, but also interesting and exciting activity. The more often you practice this, the better quality you will get. finished goods.

Making candles with your own hands at home does not require a lot of money, so in addition to the pleasure you will get from the making process itself, you will also be able to save a lot.

Making candles at home: necessary materials

Before proceeding directly to the manufacture of the product itself, it is necessary to decide the necessary materials, which will help create the required shape for our product. An ordinary saucepan is suitable for this, which we will need to create a water bath.

We also need some other container in which we will melt paraffin or wax. It is better to take some unnecessary utensils as containers, since at the end of the process it will be extremely difficult to get rid of the stuck wax.

If we take into account that the vessel must be fireproof, then we are unlikely to find a better one than an ordinary tin can. So, take a tin can, bend its edge so that a small spout appears (wax will flow through it).

As for the raw materials themselves, wax, paraffin or specialized helium can be bought in a specialized store or ordered online.

If you decide to start creating a candle for the first time, we recommend starting with paraffin, since wax is much more difficult to work with, it is a less light and pliable material. You can also start with old homemade cinders or buy ordinary ones. household candles.

Next, you need to take care of the material from which the wick will be made. Often, 100% cotton paper threads are used for this, since they do not have unpleasant odor and burn much longer. We also recommend trying floss (threads of different colors) for this purpose; they are quite easy to find and they look very interesting on a candle.

To give a candle an unusual character and color, decorate them and give the product a certain tone and shade. Such candles will delight you and those around you not only with their warmth, but also with their beauty and extraordinary appearance.

To give the product the desired color, use children's wax crayons; it is better to choose softer options, since they dissolve better and color the molten mass more evenly. Some people use lipstick and eye shadow for this, this is also a good option, if you don't mind sacrificing cosmetics.

There is another common option - coloring with special pigments in the form of tablets. They come in a wide variety of colors and shades, so you can use them to make absolutely any color scheme for the product.

Before determining how to make candles with your own hands at home, you need to decide not only on the materials, but also on their proper use. This, for example, concerns the wick, you need to learn how to twist it correctly, because this will determine how long and brightly the candle will burn.

For example, if you are going to use paraffin or gel, then for these materials it is better to use thin, tightly woven threads. For wax candles, it is better to take a thickened wick, braided, with threads that are not too tight.

You also need to worry about special forms, because the basic shape and appearance of the product will depend on them. Here it is best to use cookware that you don't need too much and that can withstand elevated temperatures. Containers of yogurt, creams, bottles, small vials, and so on are suitable for this.

To give the product not only attractive appearance, but also a pleasant aromatic content, add a few drops of essential oil to the total mass, the aroma of which is similar to the appearance of your candle. For example, the scent of lime or mint is perfect for a light green shade of the product, while vanilla or berry scents need warmer shades.

How to make candles with your own hands at home: technology step by step

Here we come to the most important point: the process of making a candle at home. For example, we will consider the option of making a wax candle.

Preparing wax for melting

First, decide on the type of wax on which the candle will be prepared. Don't forget that wax can cause irritation for some people, so take this issue seriously.

The most popular today is soy wax because it is easy to work with, it is environmentally friendly and burns slower than other types.

Before you start, prepare your workplace. To do this you need to lay on work surface newspapers, prepare cardboard and towels. You should also always keep warm, soapy water nearby in case you spill any wax.

Prepare an ordinary water bath, the same as you do when cooking.

Attention! You should not melt wax over direct heat. The melting process must be slow, otherwise it may burn out and evaporate.

Pour half a pan of water and place a smaller pan on top of it, you will need it to melt the wax. Don't forget that wax is almost impossible to clean, so use utensils that you don't need.

Place the wax on a board and cut or plane it. The smaller the pieces, the easier it will be to work with.

Melting wax

Place the wax pieces or shavings in a small saucepan and set the heat to high. When the water boils, it will begin to gradually melt the wax; do not reduce the heat.

Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature of the wax. A pastry thermometer or meat thermometer is suitable for this.

Depending on the type of wax, it melts at different temperatures.

Let's look at the main types:

paraffin wax melts at 50–60 °C;

bee – within 62.7–79.4 °C;

old candles - 85 °C (before using them, do not forget to remove the old wick with tongs).

Then you need to add fragrance to the melted wax; select the fragrance at your discretion. Flavorings are sold in all craft stores. To determine the required amount of flavoring, read the instructions, then stir thoroughly.

After this, according to the instructions, you need to add the required amount of dye. Ordinary food dyes are not suitable in this case, since they are water-based. It is better to opt for oil-based dyes or special dyes for candles. Dyes must be added until the mixture reaches the desired color, after which the mixture must be stirred.

Wax casting

Place the wick in the very middle of the candle mold. The wick must be attached at two points outside the mold so that the fixation is obtained in the very center. For convenience, you can attach the wick to a pencil or pen, and then move it to the center. After placing the wick in the desired location, fill the mold with wax. If you have a long clamp, you can use it. Clamp the wick into the very center of the mold, making sure it is long enough to support the entire mold.

After this, you need to pour the melted wax into the prepared molds. You need to pour slowly so that the wax does not spill, and you need to make sure that the wick is securely fastened in one position.

Important! If you use beeswax, do not forget that it shrinks somewhat when cooled; take this into account when pouring the molds.

Each type of candle has its own cooling:

paraffin candles it takes 24 hours to cool down;

4-5 hours will be enough for soy;

beeswax candles require at least 6 hours, the optimal solution would be to leave them overnight;

Old candles need 2-3 hours.

The last steps remain - remove the product from the mold and cut the wick, leaving no more than 7 mm from the source of the candle. This length will give your candle the desired fire height. If you leave the wick too long, the fire will become too big.

Everything is yours homemade candle ready, light up and enjoy!

All over the world, candles are more often used for decoration, creating a more cozy interior. To make a candle at home, you need to adhere to several rules, for example, that a correctly made wick is of great importance, because it determines how smoothly the candle will burn.

Also do not forget that the more threads that are used in making a candle, the thicker it is. For example, to make a candle with a diameter of 2-7 centimeters, you need to make 15 threads, but for a candle 10 centimeters thick, you need 24 threads.

Useful information about making candles

To melt the wax you need to use a double boiler. If you don't have one, you can use an electric oven. Important: do not use glassware.
There are many types of wax, but almost all of them melt at a temperature of 90 ° C.
You should also get a thermometer that will allow you to monitor the temperature. It is better to purchase a thermometer with a scale on top and a steel rod. It is sold in specialized laboratory equipment stores. You can use this thermometer to stir the wax.
If you want to melt wax over an open fire, you should be careful because in this case the wax may catch fire. If this happens, then to extinguish it, you need to use soda, not water.
Also remember that overheated wax will begin to release a toxic byproduct called acrolein. So make sure the room is well ventilated.

How to make a candle with your own hands

What you will need:

A special holder for stretching the wick in molten paraffin.
Wand.
A pair of wicks, which can have either a wire or paper core.
Heat-resistant molds to hold candles.
The old bowl is no longer needed.
An old pan is not needed to melt paraffin in it.

To get 3 candles you need:

Fragrance (you can replace it with essential oil).
Dye to add color.
Four hundred grams of granulated paraffin.
Forty grams of stearin powder.

Make the base for the candles:

Pour stearin powder into a bowl and place it over a pan of boiling water.
Wait until the stearin melts and add ¼ tablet of dye.
Place paraffin in a bowl and heat to 80°C.
Stir well all the time.
Once the whole mixture has melted, add a couple of drops of fragrance or essential oil.

Prepare the wick:

Immerse the wick in melted paraffin for 5 minutes.
Then let it dry.

Making a candle:

Cut the wick a little longer than the height of the mold.
Dip one end around a stick (for example, a pencil) and secure it, and the other must be passed through a special holder and clamped with pliers.
Lower the wick holder to the bottom of the mold and fill it with paraffin.
Once you have filled the paraffin to the brim, you need to place a stick on the edges of the mold so that the wick is located in the center.
Now wait until the mixture hardens.
Finally, trim the wick.

How to make a gel candle at home

When preparing candles, you need to follow all safety rules and just be careful, especially if you want to place some kind of decoration inside the candle. You should also carefully consider the choice of dye and aromatic oil.

Now decide what kind of candles you want to make. There are different gel candles, they are divided into the following groups:

Festive decoration.
Desserts and ice cream.
Fruit preserves.
Neon glows, fireworks, swirls, rainbows.
Coca-Cola and other cocktails.
Cappuccino with foam and beer glasses.
Candles with treasures, Terrariums and Aquariums.

Once you decide on a topic, choose glass vessel for a candle. A mug, a jam jar, a glass, a square vase will do.

For example aquarium candles, which contains marine decorations, we will consider the cooking process.
You will need:

Form.
Wick.
Gel for cutting
A couple of decorative items that will be inside the candle. Since the chosen theme is marine, you can use, for example, marine-themed toys or shells.

Preparation:

Place the candle gel in a water bath.
Heat the gel over low heat to 100°C.
Using glue at the bottom of the mold, strengthen the wick with the stem so that the wick is located in the middle. This will ensure the most better combustion candles. It is also necessary to secure the wick on top of the mold (you can use regular thread).
Now you can use decorative items, of course they should not be flammable. You can add a few items at the beginning and the rest at the end of cooking.
Decorative items cannot be placed closer than 6 ml. to the wick, or better yet, closer to the walls of the mold.
Before pouring the gel, it is better to warm up the mold. This can be done with a hairdryer, so you can get rid of the bubbles.
You also need to monitor the temperature of the gel; when it is 80-90 °C, you can start pouring the candle.

It is best to fill in layers, that is, first pour in a little bit of gel and after a while, when the gel hardens a little, fill in a new layer and so on until the end.
Don't wait too long if you don't want layer boundaries to form.
If you have made several colors, you can make it look like they are shimmering, but you need to wait a little until the bottom layer hardens, otherwise the colors will simply mix.

The candle can be used only after a day.

Precautionary measures

The souvenirs with which you decide to decorate the candle must be non-flammable and clean.
To extinguish wax that is burning, do not use water under any circumstances; it is better to use a rag.
If the wax reaches a temperature of 180 ° C, it will ignite.
You should melt the wax only with water steam and only according to the instructions of the wax and the mold, because the melting temperature of the wax is different, it depends on the following factors: the quality of the mold and wax, the type of candle you are going to make.

Video lessons

Learn how to make your own candles inexpensively and have fun.

The interest today is more common among women, but making this device is a manly skill that can be traced over many years. Especially in medieval times, trade in them was vital for kingdoms and villages because light was a necessity.

Today, when candles have no practical value, they can add an atmosphere of comfort, coziness, and romance to any room. They have a very meditative, relaxing effect and can be thought-provoking. Their main drawback is their relatively high cost. What does it take to do it yourself?

Materials: what is needed for manufacturing

The process will not take you more than two hours, but the resulting products will complement your home or work interior and will be a good gift for loved ones.

Wax

This is the heart of a candle, of which there are three main types.

Paraffin. Traditional, used for hundreds of years to make a torch. Now it continues to be the most common among all species. It's cheap and you can easily add color and scent to it. The main problem with paraffin remains its potentially toxic nature. Paraffin is a by-product of petroleum, which automatically gives it a bad rating for most consumers. If natural products are your credo, it is best to look for an alternative option.

Soybeans. New to the market, it is becoming an increasingly popular main ingredient. Soy was created in the 90s, when the natural food movement was actively gaining momentum. It is usually made from soybean oil, but is sometimes mixed with paraffin and other waxes (palm, beeswax, etc.) It also easily takes on colors and scents.
Beeswax. Oldest crafting ingredient; Beeswax candles have been found in the great pyramids of Egypt. As the name suggests, it is produced by bees and is a by-product of the honey process. Because of this, it has a natural golden color and a subtle sweet aroma. This is a completely natural product, but you won't be able to add other flavors to it. The natural smell will overwhelm other aromas. Bee is also the most expensive option.

Most types sold in stores come in granule form. This makes the job easier as the granules melt faster. If you bought a block, use a sharp knife to cut it into small pieces.

Wick

The wrong wick can ruin your homemade candle. The main problem is the size, or more precisely the width. For container ones, which will be discussed, you need a wide wick. The length of the wick is not important - you can trim it.

Aroma oils

Without the smell, your wax just burns. It looks nice, but doesn't create the subtle scent that candles are used for. There are thousands of scents to choose from - just search online. you can use essential oils, but with them the final product will not be as good. Men should choose from such "masculine" scents as a mixture of clove, amber and sandalwood, apple and maple bourbon, blue spruce, butter rum, coffee, whiskey.

Melting utensils

A saucepan with a double bottom will do the job best. Melting directly over the flame in a regular pan will be too strong, so use a double boiler.

Form

Coffee mugs, glassware, jars - anything that can withstand heat is used as a container. With a lid, they can be transported, sent, so you can easily give them to your loved ones.

Accessories: thermometer, spatula, old pen

Having a thermometer on hand allows you to quickly take your temperature. When you buy wax, especially the kind that is used for making, it will have instructions on it as to what temperature the fragrance oil is added to, when to pour into the container, etc. Use a spatula or spoon to loosen it and dissolve large chunks. Later you will find out why old pens/pencils are good helpers for homemade candles.

Workflow: how to do it?

Prepare your work area

Working with wax is quite a dirty business. It melts, drops can get everywhere, you won't even know it until it dries. Lay down a newspaper or paper towels around the work area. Use them to set the thermometer, spatula - be careful, they will probably stick a little. Luckily, the wax isn't that difficult to clean; you can simply scrape it off with your fingernail. Prepare your molds and wicks.

Melt the wax

Using a double-bottomed saucepan or water bath, melt the wax. Place about 200-300 grams, watch it melt by breaking it into pieces with a spatula and stirring it. It melts in about 10-15 minutes. Remember to monitor the temperature - you want it to be between 70 - 75 degrees. If the temperature starts to rise, remove it from the heat.

Secure the wick

While it is melting, attach the wick to the container. The rare wicks have a small sticker embedded on the bottom, but the main part does not. Super glue is one option, but you can use an old candle trick: dip a metal wick tongue into melted wax, then quickly attach it to the bottom center of the container. After a couple of minutes, when it hardens, the wick will be fixed to the bottom.

Add aromatic oils, stir

When completely melted, add desired fragrance oils. Each type is different and requires a different amount per kilogram, so follow the instructions on the package. Taking a block that is suitable for different purposes, remember the following proportion: 60 grams of oil per kilogram of wax. Pour it into the pan, stirring for one minute to ensure even distribution.

Add color if desired

This step is optional. Your candles will come out a natural milky white, but you can add a little color by using a non-toxic colored pencil or block. For example, you can add half a millimeter of red pencil to 500 grams of wax to get a soft pastel shade. Want a bright color? Use more pencil.

The color will be much brighter in the melted mixture, but will turn milky as it cools.

Let the mixture cool

After adding the aromatic oil, turn off the heat and let cool for a couple of minutes. Optimal temperature for pouring into a container is about 55-60 degrees. This won't take long - just a few minutes - so pay attention to your thermometer. Once it is properly cooled, pour it into the container. Hold the wick so that it remains centered, without over-tightening it. We recommend leaving some in the pan - you will need it at the end.

The secret to attaching the wick

The wick, attached to the bottom, may initially wobble a little in the liquid wax. You definitely want it to stay level and centered while everything cures. Simply place the handle on top of the mold, tie a wick to it, and leave to set for a few hours.

As the candle cools, you will notice a slight dip in the wick. The wax will also come away from the edges of the jar. Reheat the remaining mixture in the pan and fill the holes that appear.

Trim the wick

You will probably have a few extra inches of wick sticking out. A wick that is too long will burn too brightly. Light it and check it: if the flame is more than 2.5 centimeters, cut the thread.