Candles became popular in the Middle Ages. They were only people with wealth because their price was very high. They were made from different materials, it could be paper or papyrus, different plants and fat. Then the North American colonists figured out how to get wax. After that, a lot of different experiments and experiments were carried out, but the expected result was not there. This lasted until paraffin was invented. Since then, candles have been made from it.
DIY candle molds
Forms for candles can be very different, it will depend only on your imagination and mood. For this, various transparent glass jars, cups that you have in the kitchen, containers from under baby food and yogurts, small boxes that are made of thick cardboard. You can also use orange and lemon peel. Also you can do plaster mold for candles, for this you need to fill the figurine of an animal or flower with plaster and wait until it hardens.
Wick
The wick can be purchased at a special store, taken from a candle that you have, or you can make it yourself. There are two options.
Materials that will be needed for work:
- bamboo sticks or cork sticks;
- sunflower oil, olive oil can also be used;
- napkins;
- scissors.
First you need to cut the stick, the length you need. Then place the resulting stick in a sunflower or olive oil for twenty minutes. This is necessary in order for the wick to burn longer. After that, remove the stick and lightly blot with a napkin. Your wick is ready.
Second option. Here the wick will be made from cotton thread. Necessary materials for work:
- floss thread or cotton thread;
- water;
- salt;
- borax.
You need to cut off a couple of strips of cotton thread. Then take a glass and mix in it three tablespoons of borax and one tablespoon of salt. After that, dip strips of thread into a glass and leave them there for twelve hours. After this time has passed, the threads will need to dry well.
When the threads are dry, weave them together and dip them in wax or paraffin. After drying, the wick will be ready.
Flavors
Essential oils can be used for this. When the candle burns, they will evaporate and permeate the air. pleasant aromas, which, in most cases, have a good effect on the body. You can mix oils and get candles for different purposes, some can be for relaxation and excitement, while others can be uplifting. The more oil is added to the candle, the brighter its smell will be. But if you make a candle with your own hands from natural wax Do not use fragrances.
Dyes
This component is optional, since you can make a candle without it. But if you decide to make your candles bright, you can use wax crayons that children use to draw on asphalt. Before use, it must be crushed into small crumbs, and then added to the melted mass for the candle. still exist liquid food coloring, but they are not suitable for our candles, because they are based on water. You can replace them oil paints or special paints that are sold in stores where there is everything for candle making.
How to make a candle at home
DIY wax candles
Necessary materials:
- wax or paraffin, at your discretion;
- form;
- flavorings and dyes, if you decide to use them;
- a container for a water bath and a pot of water;
- wick;
- sticks that will support the wick;
- glue gun.
Making candles.
First of all, you need to decide on the form into which the wax will be poured. Then install a wick in this form. The wick must be glued to the bottom of the form, by using glue gun
and fix his wand, and if there is no wand, then you can use an ordinary drawing pencil.
After you have fixed the wick, you need to make a mass for the candle. To do this, wax or paraffin is melted in a water bath. As soon as the mass takes on a liquid form, you can add flavorings and dyes to it.
The last step in the work will be pouring the mass into molds. In order for it to take on a shape such as you want, it needs to harden, this will take several hours. After your hardening original candle will be ready.
DIY gel candles at home
They can be a wonderful gift or souvenir. They smell very nice and burn much longer than paraffin or wax ones. Moreover, the container in which the candle will be made, after it burns out, can be used for other purposes. How to make candles with your own hands will tell further.
Materials for work:
- gelatin, it should be colorless;
- glycerin and tannin;
- ink that has different colors;
- essential oil that you prefer;
- glass container;
- wick;
- miscellaneous items
Making candles.
The first thing to do is add five parts gelatin to twenty parts water. Then twenty-five parts of glycerin are placed in this mass and it is all heated over low heat until transparent.
Bye gelatin and glycerin heated to dissolve the tannin. To do this, you need to take two parts of tannin and ten parts of glycerin, after mixing, add to the total mass. The mixture should boil until it becomes clear.
If you want the candle to be bright and beautiful, add ink, the color of the candle will depend on its color. After that, essential oils are added.
To decorate a candle, you need to put decorations on the bottom of the mold, it can be beads, various beads, shells and even pieces of fruit.
After that, the wick is fixed in the form, it is necessary that it be in the middle. Then the mass is poured and left to solidify. A beautiful candle, after hardening it will be ready for use.
You can use whatever you like for this. If you are making an aroma candle, you can use pieces of fruit, oranges, tangerines, lemons, grapefruits will do. But before that, the fruits must be dried, this can be done in the oven at seventy degrees.
You can also use different ribbons, threads for decoration and lace as decoration. But you need to be careful with this decor material, as it ignites easily. It is best to mount it on a candlestick.
Handmade candles can be decorated with cones, coffee beans, cinnamon sticks, different beads, printed photos. How your candle will be decorated depends only on your imagination and desire.
Today it has become fashionable to spend romantic evenings by candlelight. It sets us up for positive and makes our life much more beautiful. However, the prices for such a sought-after product in stores “bite”, but sometimes you really want to make your evening unusual and give it to a loved one. Don't get upset! You can simply make candles with your own hands.
What will be required?
People will always buy candles to decorate their homes. Their warm burning makes the surrounding atmosphere romantic. No special preparation is required to create candles. Perhaps someone will need information about their manufacture for personal purposes, and someone will turn a simple hobby into a business. Preparations for making a candle should begin by protecting clothes with a special apron so that drops of wax do not spoil it.
Then you need to start organizing your desktop. It must also be protected from pollution, so it is better to cover it. For starters, you can take a newspaper. If this activity continues to captivate you, then buy a silicone mat (greasy drops easily leave it). Next, we will study the materials that will be needed:
- wax or paraffin;
- special thread for the wick;
- water container;
- a bowl for melting wax;
- any forms for pouring (glass, plastic, etc.);
- sticks to hold the weight of the wick.
Wax
Candles are made from helium, paraffin and wax (this type is the most acceptable). Wax is different.
One of the most famous is soybean wax. It is a natural product, therefore environmentally friendly.
When burning, wax of this type does not give soot. And emissions into the air are non-toxic for children and adults.
It melts when the temperature reaches over 75 degrees. Raise it higher is not worth it, otherwise you will ruin the product.
The second wax option is palm wax. It melts at temperatures above 60 degrees.
In the process of solidification, this product, as it were, crystallizes and forms a pattern similar to the frost of a winter window.
Therefore, take solid containers for making candles. In a soft container, this effect will not work. Besides, "palm" candles have their own uniqueness. Therefore, they can not be decorated.
The most famous are beeswax candles. This product is useful for the human body, as it has special properties and smell. Such a substance must be cleaned of impurities, and then just get to work. Beeswax can be melted and cast from it various forms candles.
Wick
Not suitable for making artificial materials. The basis should be cotton or other natural material, otherwise your candles will crack and smoke. For better burning the wick must be provided with reinforced wire.
It should be borne in mind that the thickness of the candle should be proportional to the thickness of the wick.
Very thin thread in a thick candle it will immediately burn out, and you will not see the fire. A thick thread in a thin candle will burn it very quickly. To correctly select the thickness of the wick, you must adhere to the following parameters.
- If the diameter of the candle starts from 8 cm, then take the thickest threads. In this case, weaving should include more than 22 threads.
- If the diameter is smaller, then the wick should consist of 13 or even 20 threads.
- The remaining thin candles can burn with a wick, which consists of 8-10 threads.
However, keep in mind that all knowledge comes during practice and it will not be possible to compare the thickness of the thread and the diameter of the candle the first time. This requires experience. For a wax candle, a rather thick thread with a loose, as if absorbing surface is taken. Wax is a viscous substance. In order for the candle not to smoke, it must soak a little into the wick.
Those who want to seriously engage in the manufacture of candles, you need to choose a method of obtaining material. For example, the wick can be bought in bulk at a needlewomen store, or you can find suppliers via the Internet. They will sell the wick, which is already pre-treated with wax or paraffin. It should be noted that the wicks are twisted, simply braided and braided.
Nevertheless, if you buy all the components, it will not give a big profit. If you want to start a small business, you should learn how to make wicks yourself. There are no limits to fantasy here. The easiest way is to take a thin cotton thread and twist it yourself. The wick will turn out to be the thickness you need. Some use an ordinary bandage to make a wick. In it, all the threads are already twisted in advance. It remains only to choose the thickness and adjust to it.
The finished wick must be dipped in hot wax (paraffin) and squeezed out with your fingers. Put the squeezed out base on flat surface until the wax completely hardens in it (about 10 minutes). Such a maneuver will soak the thread almost to the very base, and you will get rid of the air that may remain inside.
Note: the thread must be soaked, not smeared on top. Otherwise, your candles will burn out very quickly.
Forms
There are no restrictions on this issue. Everything depends on your desires. For the first time, you can get by with molds-packages left over from drunk yogurts, or you can use jars of cotton swabs in the form of a heart or a round (oval) shape. Use whatever comes to hand. Well, those who have already begun to seriously engage in the manufacture of candles are always in search of original solutions.
The best way out here is to buy ready-made molds.
All options have their advantages and disadvantages. Take, for example, polycarbonate molds. They are transparent and comfortable, but not too durable. Their service life is about 5 years. There are also plastic molds. Ready-made candles are difficult to remove from them, and they also do not have the necessary transparency. Molds made of soft plastic (used for making soap) will fit for making mini-candles.
There are molds made of imported plastic (as a rule, they are very large). Such molds are the most durable and adapted for temperatures over 200 degrees. The best option is considered to be forms of metal: aluminum, steel. Candles are smooth and even. However, this option is not suitable for many due to the simplicity of the forms. In addition, the metal is very hot and difficult to work with.
Many manufacturers use silicone molds for dough. They are comfortable and hold up well. The downside is the fragility.
Do silicone mold very easy. You can buy material in specialized stores or via the Internet. This substance consists of a base and a hardener. They are mixed, based on the instructions for use. In this case, a component is obtained from which you can make your own original form for a future candle in the form of a toy, ornate branch, etc.
Another material that will allow you to show originality is gypsum. From it you can fashion any shape for a candle. However, for some craftsmen it is still easier to use those forms that are always at hand. Take, for example, ordinary tea cups. They make candles very attractive. Suitable for work and a simple eggshell.
There is only one conclusion: in the matter of choice, you need to be smart, and then everything will work out.
Container for melting
It should conduct heat well and be easily cleaned of melting residues. For beginner candle makers, the easiest way is to take a tin can. Even if something goes wrong, you will throw it away without regret. Besides, this container can be easily placed in a pot of boiling water.
But there is a downside to this option.
When the tin becomes hot, it is difficult to get it out of the boiling pot.
In addition, this process becomes dangerous due to the threat of burns. To solve the problem, use a little trick. Take out a boiling jar with ordinary tongs or attach an aluminum wire handle to it. For melting, you can use an old saucepan or a narrow ladle with a spout.(It is convenient to pour the substance).
To find a convenient option for dishes, follow these recommendations:
- the dishes should be sufficiently voluminous, since the wax increases significantly in mass when heated;
- it is better to take the container from aluminum, it does not react and does not affect the color of the future product.
- In no case should you melt the wax on an open fire, otherwise it will ignite. Do not melt this product in the microwave. The wax will definitely burn in it.
- When the wax melts, it must be stirred with a silicone spatula.
- The smaller the pieces of wax, the faster it will melt.
- Wax residues on dishes can be easily washed off if you pour a little water into it, add dishwashing detergent and put it on a steam bath. It is even easier to hold the container over the spout of a boiling kettle. The rest will just as easily move away from the walls.
Aroma oils
To make your candles give the environment even more romance and even have a healing and soothing effect, add some aromatic oil which is obtained from plants. healing properties Flowers and herbs have been used by people since ancient times.
Aromas have a beneficial effect on the human body: they help to relax, rejuvenate, etc.
To take advantage useful properties plants, buy aromatic oils at the pharmacy and add them to candles that will exude fragrance when burned.
Consider what properties individual plant components have:
- geranium has a positive effect on nervous system, soothes;
- grapefruit helps to restore the harmony of the soul and body;
- ylang-ylang eliminates anger and sadness;
- bergamot soothes;
- cedar is able to restore human strength;
- cinnamon eliminates self-doubt;
- St. John's wort will protect from enemies and evil spirits;
- wormwood will cleanse your home of negativity;
- the rose attracts love;
- sandal will help to avoid making sudden decisions;
- sage will increase the energy level;
- vetiver will create inner peace and tranquility within you;
- eucalyptus will double your health.
A few tips:
- add aromatic oil to wax when its temperature reaches 60 degrees, otherwise the aroma will “burn out” and be very weak;
- to get an original aroma, mix several oils at once, just do not overdo it;
- use approximately 20 ml of oil per 450 g of wax.
Additional accessories
To make your product look complete, it must be supplemented with a stand and decoration. It can be made from an ordinary tin can. Cut out patterns, remove excess edging and paint in the desired color. By the way, the stand can be made in the form of a round house. Attach a roof with a hole at the top (for the exit of combustion products) and insert a candle inside the structure. When the candle is lit, it will be very romantic and beautiful.
Housewives can be recommended to bake a stand in the form of a gingerbread. It will turn out romantic, interesting and edible. You can also cut a hole in a small pumpkin and insert a candle into it. It will be good if the peel is decorated with a carved pattern.
And what a beautiful candlestick made of orange peel will be! Carved coasters made of tropical fruits always look out of place for Christmas and New Year. A candlestick or stand made of tree bark will become the best decoration for a candle. If you decide to go original way, then make a border of cinnamon sticks.
How is the filling?
When you are going to make a candle with your own hands, it is better to know all the details about this process in advance. At home, wax is recommended to be melted in a jar on a steam bath. Before the wax reaches the desired condition, prepare the mold for the future candle. Lubricate it with water or vegetable oil. Then a small part of the melted wax is poured onto the very bottom of the mold. Adjust the wick and fill again. It is better to do it in stages. So you get a smooth and flawless candle. When the candle is completely filled, then cool it at room temperature.
Putting a homemade candle in the freezer is not recommended. After about 24 hours, the candle will be ready and can be removed.
If removing the candle is difficult, place the mold in the refrigerator for a few minutes, and then place it under the stream hot water. The candle can be easily removed. After excavation, part of the wick must be cut off and only 1 cm should be left.
Coloring technology
Natural and synthetic dyes are used for dyeing. Natural products are made from natural ingredients and herbs. To do this, they are processed and get the desired product. Synthetic ones are made from chemical elements and color the candle evenly and quickly.
However, synthetics have their drawbacks - this is a lack of environmental friendliness and an unpleasant odor.
Also, dyes cover the candle with a greasy layer. If this does not scare you, then add them during melting. But if you want to get an uneven color and give color, then add a dye to the wax before pouring.
Remember that while the candle is warm, its color will appear more saturated. Wax is endowed with its natural shade, so when you add dye, you will not get exactly the color you expected.
Some people also use coloring pencils for coloring. This should not be done. The impurity contained in them will interfere with the burning of the candle.
Crafting Recipes
Novice candle makers, as well as professional craftsmen, often resort to the help of various master classes. This helps to keep track of new products and not miss anything interesting. Consider several popular recipes for making candles that will not cause difficulties even for a beginner.
Candles made from coffee have a special aroma and presentable appearance.
The coffee candle emits a wonderful aroma. You can decorate it with whole grains. To make a candle, some ground coffee is added to the wax. Coffee candles are considered decorative and are made to special occasions. They are tasty and pleasing to the eye.
A candle with the addition of fragrant soap has a wonderful aroma. Your favorite smell will accompany you not only in the bathroom, but also during the rest. To make this candle, grate some of your favorite soap and add it to liquid wax or paraffin. This will make a soap candle.
Massage candles are in great demand.
They have a special aroma, as they are made with the addition of various useful components. Massage candle can be with herbs and dried flowers inside. When burning, it spreads special aromas that help to relax during the massage.
Soy candles are ideal for adding essential oils to them. They burn very slowly and exude various aromas for a long time.
By the way, a soy-honey candle will ideal option if you decide to create a unique and relaxing environment in your home.
Openwork candles are very original. For their manufacture, paper bags from under the milk are taken. They are cut in half and get square cups. A candle will be poured into them. Then a little melted wax is poured onto the bottom and the wick is fixed. Next, you need to place pieces of ice in the mold (about 2 cm should be missing to the top). Then pour the remaining wax on top. When solidified, the ice will do its job and leave carved glades. After readiness, we take out an openwork candle from the mold, which was obtained thanks to the melted ice.
Decoration of finished products
Decorative candles are lovely gift for relatives and friends. They will emphasize your love and devotion. Especially since you put your heartfelt warmth into them. If you are going to present homemade candles as an additional gift for a friend's wedding or mom's birthday, then you need to decorate your unusual present. And here the choice depends on individual preferences. The decor will give the gift individuality and sophistication. For example, candles decorated with multi-colored ribbons look strict and solemn.
You can also make carved samples. To do this, you will need a special woodcarving tool and a little skill. Candles can be made in the form of Christmas tree cones or toys.
A very fashionable idea would be to decorate a gift with burlap. To do this, cut a piece of fabric to size and wrap the candle. We complement the decoration with a bright ribbon. Burlap is also suitable for use in the autumn composition. The fabric is “seasoned” with dried autumn leaves or flowers.
And there are beautiful openwork jewelry. They are made from thin napkins for decoupage. As soon as you glue the lace pattern on the base of the candle and it dries, cover the openwork decoupage with varnish.
Decoration may vary. For example, a candle pasted over with shells is well suited for relaxing near the sea. The sea breeze will be complemented by candles decorated with white beads in the form of pearls of various sizes.
Candle as a source lighting, has been used by man since the III millennium BC. It was expensive, and only a wealthy family could buy it. Today the candle has no former value, and in interior is used for decor or aromatherapy. And the candles made do it yourself, is also a great hobby, great option for a gift.
What materials and how to make a candle at home Houses- read our article.
Wax candle - step by step master class
To make a candle you will need:
- wax or paraffin (suitable economic candles);
- cotton thread or floss;
- saucepan for a water bath;
- candle molds (tin, glass or plastic);
- wooden sticks for attaching the wicks (1 candle mold = 1 stick).
Advice! If for the first time you decide to make a candle with your own hands, ask someone close to help you. Wax hardens within 15 minutes, so you need to act quickly.
Place a piece of cotton string in the center of each candle mold. Fasten the top edge of the thread to a wooden stick.
Place a container with wax (paraffin) in a water bath. To speed up the melting process - it can be cut into small sticks or grated. Melt the wax over low heat, stirring constantly. The finished consistency should be uniform, without lumps and pieces of paraffin.
Pour some melted wax into the bottom of the mold. This will fix the bottom edge of the wick in the right place. Correct its position if necessary. Wait about a minute for the wax to thicken and the wick to set before moving on to the next step.
Fill the mold with the remaining melted wax.
A day later, after the candle has completely cooled and hardened, cut off the excess edge of the wick.
Note! A cooled candle does not have to be left in a jar - after manufacturing it can be removed from the mold. Before starting work, select a container for pouring with a straight, even edge that is not narrowed upwards. You can also use plastic cups, ice cube trays, or homemade tetrapak templates.
Colored and scented candles
Having understood the essence of manufacturing, you can diversify the variations and create more complex homemade candles with your own hands.
To make a colored candle, put pieces of wax crayons in a melting pot along with paraffin. The shade of the finished candle will match bloom added pencil. A combination of several multi-colored pencils will color the candle in a bright rainbow print.
Idea! Consistently melt and pour wax of different colors into the mold in layers - you will get an original striped candle.
Use essential oils in the manufacture - and you will get a scented candle with your own hands. To add fragrance to the candle, add a few drops of oil to the melted wax before pouring the mold.
Oil combination lavender and bergamot has a relaxing effect, and lemon and rosemary relieves negative thoughts. For peace of mind and tranquility, add one part of the oils to the wax geraniums And roses and two parts lavender oil. The combination of orange and clove oils is uplifting, while lemon and cedar oils relieve stress.
Transparent gel candles at home
At home, you can create another kind of candle - gel. The technology of its manufacture is the same as that of paraffin. The difference is that the form is not filled with wax, but with a special candle gel.
Gel for making candles - transparent. This makes it possible to create incredible beautiful products. Inside the candle, you can place shells, beads, stones, glass beads, beads, buttons, twigs colors, and even candied fruit or pieces of fruit.
Advice! You can independently choose the location of the decor inside the candle. Elements lowered to the bottom before filling with gel will remain at the bottom, and those added to an already filled form will “hang” or remain on the surface.
Form for gel candle must be transparent (glass or plastic) - otherwise the beauty created inside will not be visible. Special gel dyes will help to give a color shade. Aromatic essential oils can also be added to this type of candle.
Advice! Before pouring the melted gel, heat the prepared mold. This will prevent the formation of bubbles.
"Delicious" candles - fruit and coffee
You will surely enjoy making candles at home, and you will definitely want to create something creative and extraordinary. Candles made from the peel of fruits - oranges, limes, grapefruits - look interesting and unusual. Candles created with the addition of coffee beans. Create and experiment, and a couple of our ideas will help you with this.
Half lemon candle
Necessary materials:
- wax or paraffin;
- four cotton wicks;
- saucepan for a water bath;
- a container for melting wax;
- two lemons;
- food coloring purple;
- lavender essential oil;
- dried lavender flowers.
Cut the lemons in half lengthwise. Carefully remove the pulp.
Melt the wax in a water bath. Add lavender flowers, essential oil and food coloring to it, mix.
Attach a wick to the center of the lemon half. Pour the "fruit candlestick" with melted wax.
Put the finished candles in a cool place until the final cooling and hardening.
Important! Do not refrigerate candles refrigerator– Wax can harden unevenly!
Candles with coffee beans
Option 1
The easiest way to create a coffee candle is to add coffee beans to melted wax, or pour them into an already poured mold.
To do this, you will need all the same materials as for a regular candle, plus coffee beans.
Coffee beans vary in shape and size, and when added to wax, they also harden differently. Therefore, each candle you create will have unique design.
Option 2
Another manufacturing option can be to decorate the finished candle with coffee beans.
For this, in addition to coffee beans, you will need glue.
Advice! Coffee beans can be glued without glue - on still hot soft wax. To do this, carefully remove the warm and unhardened candle from the mold and “line” it with coffee beans, pressing them lightly with your fingers.
Candle decorated with coffee beans
The perfect way to decorate at almost any holiday event - beautiful candles how to quickly, easily do which you yourself will learn by reading detailed instructions. Today, candles in the interior can both deliver aesthetic pleasure to the owners and guests of the house, and become an assistant in case of an unexpected power outage.
Also, self-made candles can easily become an interesting gift for relatives and friends, who will certainly appreciate the work and time spent.
Someone thinks that candles are an exceptionally cute element of decor, which is true, except when scented candles are placed in the house, because they can replace the most expensive psychotherapy, creating the right atmosphere for relaxation.
Is it possible to make beautiful candles with your own hands?
Of course, today candles are sold in almost all souvenir shops, however, if this time you planned to present it as a gift to a loved one, it is much more pleasant to do so. given subject interior on your own.
If you are thinking about how to make candles with your own hands, then do not worry, because at first the lesson may seem quite difficult. With the right approach, you will quickly realize that the process of creating a candle is quite easy.
Confirm given fact you can simply contact people who decided to start manufacturing candles, but got involved so quickly that it became not just additional income, but also an exciting activity. The more often you practice creating candles on your own, the better every day you will get them.
To create a candle at home, you will not need large financial costs, therefore, in addition to the pleasure that you get from the creation process, you will also be able to save a lot.
What materials are needed to create candles?
Indeed, making candles at home without special materials will not work. Should be prepared:
- Vessel (wax will melt in it);
- Forms used for candles;
- Saucepan (useful during a water bath);
- two sticks;
- Various decorative elements (so the candle will look original);
- Wax crayons;
- Cinders from used candles
- Paper threads
Sequence of work
First, you need to lower the prepared paper thread into the mold that you took to pour the wax / paraffin melted later. With help wooden stick, which should end up on top of your form, you need to fix the upper end of the future wick.
Secondly, cut the paraffin (wax) into small pieces, put in the prepared dishes. Next, a saucepan with clean water you need to put on a slow fire, put a dish with wax in it and melt it. The main thing is not to forget to stir regularly so that lumps do not form.
Thirdly, pour a little wax already melted earlier into the mold, position the lower end of the wick right in the center. It remains to wait until all the wax thickens slightly.
Fourth, fill with the remaining wax that has been melted into the mold, and as soon as the candle has completely solidified, cut off the part of the wick that will be superfluous. It is advisable to do this in no case earlier than after twenty-four hours.
An important point. It is not necessary to light ready-made candles in your opinion until such time as they are completely hardened. Remember that from the moment the candle was created to its first use for the first time, at least a day must pass.
We decorate candles
The real pinnacle of skill in creating candles on their own is not their fragrance or coloring, but decoration with a variety of natural materials, starting from coffee beans and ending with cones, sea shells or herbs with an incredible aroma.
An important point. Materials should be laid out on the bottom of the mold prepared for the candle until the melted wax is poured into it.
Another popular way of decorating today is the decoupage technique, which is a decoration with napkins. different shades.
How to turn an old candle into a new one?
If you liked the instructions on how to make a candle with your own hands, then first of all you should know that you will need essential oils to create a new candle.
To give the decor element a fragrance, it is enough to add a couple of drops of oil to the already melted wax just before the moment of pouring the mold.
If you want to achieve a relaxing effect of candles, then you can use a combination of bergamot and lavender oils.
Wanting to get rid of bad thoughts, it is better to choose oils of rosemary, lemon. No peace of mind better option than a rose or a geranium.
How to create a gel candle?
In order to create a candle, you must first purchase a special gel that will be used instead of paraffin. It has a number of advantages:
- It is absolutely transparent. In practice, this makes it possible to achieve an interesting contrast with various decoration techniques;
- During combustion, the gel does not emit an unpleasant odor for households, soot.
The technology for creating any gel candle is generally similar to the process for creating a wax candle, but there is a difference: it is necessary to pour gel melted in advance into the prepared form, and not paraffin. And you need to do this with a couple of nuances.
First, before the gel is poured into the mold, it must be heated. This will avoid the formation of unwanted bubbles on the candle.
Secondly, the form for creating any gel candle must always be not only transparent, but also beautiful. After all, in the future, the candle does not get out of it.
The fantasy of a person with a creative nature is practically unlimited: the cost of materials that are needed to create candles with your own hands is quite affordable today.
The process is quite interesting, it does not take much time, as it may initially seem when you see a photo of candles made by yourself. Having created a beautiful, unusual candle once, you definitely decide to repeat the experiment.
Knowing how to make truly exclusive candles on your own, inspired by the interesting works of talented people, you will always have an idea of what you can give as a gift to friends, and how to decorate a table for a holiday, creating an incredible atmosphere of comfort.
DIY candle photo
An attractive idea of \u200b\u200bself-earning is making candles at home as a business. In its features and technological process Even a novice will be able to figure it out, and the owners' reviews confirm that with an established sales of products, it is possible to reach full payback within the first months.
Today, candles are considered quite a popular commodity. After all, they are purchased as a gift, to decorate the interior, to create a romantic atmosphere. Ordinary household needs and use in churches have also not lost their popularity. The demand for such products is only increasing, and if you can attract a buyer with an original product, then your project is guaranteed to succeed.
Benefits of this business
Making candles at home has a number of advantages, which make such an undertaking attractive:
- The cost of materials for manufacturing is quite low.
- The technology is simple and accessible to any beginner.
- At the same time, you can show your imagination, realize your creative potential and create original and unique products.
- There is a wide range of niches to choose from.
- Registration of a business is simple and does not require large tax deductions.
- High rates of profitability.
- You can do this in the form home business or aim at large-scale production in the format of a mini-factory.
Of course, there are also disadvantages. For example, start-up entrepreneurs may have difficulty selling finished goods, especially if the competition in the chosen region is quite high.
Are documents required?
It is believed that when making candles at home, it is not necessary to register even as an individual entrepreneur. As an artisan, you can file an annual income tax return and make standard deductions. But since you also need to think about selling products, it is advisable to register as an entrepreneur or legal entity. In this case, you as a supplier of goods will be more trustworthy.
The taxation regime can be chosen according to a simplified system, and to reduce deductions, do not forget to enter all purchased equipment in financial statements and put it on depreciation.
It is also important to register the enterprise in the following regulatory services:
- Pension Fund;
- statistical bodies;
- sanitary and epidemiological station in case of opening a separate workshop or plant;
- fire inspection.
Variety of candles
Even at the stage of business planning, you need to think about what kind of products you are going to offer customers. There are a lot of options and they all require their own approach:
- Church - will diverge well if there are a lot of temples, churches nearby. They are used for official purposes, put by parishioners during prayer, set for holidays, weddings, etc. Each procedure requires its own shape, shade, and even the raw materials used.
- Household - usually made from paraffin and have the same standard shade without the admixture of flavors and dyes. They are in demand in rural areas.
- Decorative - differ in originality of form and shade. They are used to create different materials and try to make it unique. Often purchased as a gift or to decorate a house, restaurants, rooms, etc. It is this type of candle that is characterized by handmade and correspondingly high cost.
- Dining rooms are a cross between household and decorative options. They can be of different shapes and shades, but simple materials are used for their production.
- Tablets - when wax or paraffin is poured into special small aluminum sleeves. They are often used to decorate and create a special atmosphere in a room. There is always a demand for them.
- Carved candles are made on the basis of ordinary ones, but at the same time they are dipped in colored paraffin for additional processing and providing the required patterns.
- Ice openwork is a separate kind of decorative candles. The technology of their manufacture is distinguished by the addition of pieces of ice, due to which unusual openwork forms are created.
- Colored cubes - during the solidification of wax or paraffin, the product is cut into pieces and then mixed again. After several such procedures, cubes of different shades are poured into the mold and, when burned, they create a unique effect.
- You can make scented candles that have an unobtrusive pleasant smell. This is achieved by adding essential oil into melted paraffin.
room
Experienced entrepreneurs who create candles with their own hands say that doing it in the kitchen at home is wrong. It is advisable to equip at least a small garage for production. Even if you make candles by hand, without special machines and equipment, you need to properly equip your workspace:
- the size of the room should be about 10-15 square meters. m.;
- divide it into working area and a warehouse for finished products;
- provide good ventilation;
- make sure that the temperature is constant so that it is 18-20 degrees, since such a material does not tolerate drops, and at elevated values, the entire product will deteriorate.
For storage, it is desirable to install convenient and free racks so that the products do not come into contact with each other. In the manufacture of confectionery varieties, it is necessary to additionally disinfect all surfaces using kitchen tools.
Technological process
Making a candle with your own hands is quite easy. It does not even require special equipment or hire other employees. The whole process goes through the following stages:
- We prepare the desired shape. You can buy it in specialized stores or make it yourself from improvised materials.
- A wick is installed in the center. If a voluminous candle is supposed, then it is advisable to connect several threads (2-4 pieces) to each other and fix them at the end with a paper clip or an iron stick.
- The paraffin or other base used is melted. This should be done strictly in a water bath, since direct contact with fire can ignite it. If crushed solid material, then the melting process will be significantly accelerated.
- When a liquid state is reached, dyes, flavors and other additives that are supposed to be used for decoration can be added to the base. Stir the resulting mixture with a wooden stick.
- The finished liquid base is poured into molds. For safety reasons, be sure to use oven mitts, gloves and towels, as hot paraffin causes burns if it comes into contact with the skin.
- After a few hours, the product hardens and is ready for the final decoration.
More detailed or varied techniques for creating candles at home can be learned with the help of videos and other master classes, of which there are a lot today. Before starting a business organization, it is advisable to master suitable way and make a few pieces for yourself.
So, you can understand if this thing works and what the final result looks like. If this is not possible, then you can purchase ready-made simple candles and just decorate them.
What will be required?
Depending on the scale of production and the selected product options, different materials and equipment will be needed. For homemade desirable to have:
- raw materials for the base;
- forms;
- utensils for melting paraffin (for example, pots);
- a wick made of cotton thread;
- and wooden rods for fixing it;
- thin knives for carving and giving patterns;
- stove;
- stationery for decoration;
- for dyes, wax children's crayons are used;
- and essential oils for fragrance.
If you are going to organize a small workshop, then you need to purchase expensive equipment:
- Candle machine.
- Tank for melting raw materials.
- Extruder press.
- Packing machine.
- Hand stamps.
- Thermometer.
- Matrices.
As a basis, you can use:
- Paraffin - as the cheapest and most popular material.
- Stearin - provides the candle long term burning. Most often used for carvings. This fatty substance is added to the paraffin base to improve its characteristics.
- Beeswax or soy wax, as well as honeycomb, is a natural and environmentally friendly product. Gives off a light, pleasant fragrance when used.
- Gel is a transparent jelly-like substance. Used to fill glass molds. Differs in high cost.
Be sure to stock up on enough cotton thread for the wicks, aluminum sleeves, decoration materials, and packaging to give the candles a marketable appearance.
Sales channels
If manufacturing is not particularly difficult, then for a novice entrepreneur, selling may be the most difficult. finished products. To this end, you need to study the market in advance, evaluate competitors, and find permanent points of sale of goods. Usually candles are sold through the following channels:
- Stationary souvenir shops.
- Hardware stores or department stores.
- Social media.
- Internet shops.
- specialized forums.
- Delivered directly to restaurants and hotels.
- Cooperate with church and other religious organizations.
- design studios, etc.
Financial calculations
When creating a real mini-factory for the production of candles, considerable investments will be required.
| Expenses | Cost, in rubles | |
| 1 | candle machine | 300 000 |
| 2 | Finished forms | 35 000 |
| 3 | Wick (for 3000 items) | 1 000 |
| 4 | Paraffin | 31 500 |
| 5 | Workshop rent | 10 000 |
| 6 | Public utilities | 12 000 |
| 7 | Employee salary | 15 000 |
| 8 | Equipment installation | 20 000 |
| Total: | 424 500 |
These figures assume the manufacture of 3000 table candles. Usually they are sold for 40 rubles apiece. So, with a good sale of goods, the revenue will be 120 thousand rubles. Then you will only need to pay for the material and monthly expenses, so the payback of the business will come in 3-4 months.
If you make decorative candles at home, then the costs will be minimal. It will be necessary to purchase only materials for their creation and decoration, which will be included in the cost of production. Therefore, after the first sale of the goods, you will fully return your investments and receive a net profit.
When planning the financial component, it should be taken into account that household, church and table varieties cost 15-50 rubles per unit. But decorative, flavored, gel and other options are priced much higher and can be sold from 150 rubles apiece or more. The profitability of the business will depend on your investment and the final price for the product.
Video: manufacturing decorative candles at home.
