Country of craftsmen making candles with their own hands. The atmosphere of celebration and warmth: do-it-yourself candles

Beeswax has long been considered a valuable material, it was not easy to get it. It was originally used to make candles, which were quite expensive. With the wide 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 burned, do not emit carcinogens. They also contain propolis and natural essential oils, which have a beneficial effect on our body when burned.

Among other advantages, it should be noted that with the spread of industry and industry, urban life, people began to lose touch with nature and therefore appreciate 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 craft origins.

Rules for working with wax

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

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

Do not wear revealing clothing while waxing. It is better if you wear a sweater or long-sleeved shirt, so as not to get burned if hot wax gets on your body.
Wax starts to melt at 65o, care must be taken 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 wax, you need to constantly be nearby, you can not leave.
If wax ignites, it should never be extinguished with water, otherwise an explosion may occur. In this case, you should always have baking soda on hand.

Observing 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 the following materials and tools:

saucepan for a water bath;
a container for melting wax;
candle molds. It is better to lubricate them before work. liquid soap, dishwashing detergent or vegetable oil;
baking soda;
wick. For wax candles, the use of natural cotton threads is recommended;
dyes for wax. Suitable natural wax crayons, food coloring (but not on water based), you can also use gel pigments;
stick or pencil. Needed to secure the wick;
weight for the wick;
natural wax. It can be purchased in specialized stores in the form of foundation or granules.

Manufacturing progress

The process of making wax candles is quite simple. If everything is done correctly and all uncomplicated 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 have purchased large pieces of material, then it is better to cut it into smaller pieces.

Next, we proceed to fix the wick. We attach a weight to the lower end of the thread so that the future wick does not hang out when pouring wax into the mold. If it is possible to make a hole in the bottom of the container, then the thread is threaded there and a knot is tied at its end, in this case a weight is not required. It is desirable 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 form with wax. Let the wax harden. No need to rush to pull the finished candle out of the mold, let it stay in it longer.

When the product has hardened well, you can pull it out of the container by pulling on the end of the wick. This will work if a weight is attached to the wick. If the thread is fixed on 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 with the help of dyes, the shape can be initially chosen curly. The easiest option is to use silicone molds for baking. They are easy to handle, it is easy to get a finished candle from them, they can be found in any hardware store in a large assortment:

Also unusual view a candle can be attached using paper gluing:

It is possible to use a detachable form:

The option of using ice to create an openwork candle is very simple and interesting. When filling the form 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 from wax with your own hands. This does not require special skills. Making your own petals is not difficult. It is necessary to pour the melted wax on a saucer in a thin layer, then start wrapping the plates that have not completely solidified around the wick.

Video on the topic of the article

The videos below will help you do the wax candle making job correctly and without problems:

People have been using candles for a long time. Previously, they served to illuminate the premises, and now they are an element of decor and a way to create a romantic, festive or cozy atmosphere.

You can find many in stores different types candles, ranging from the simple to the whimsical. Similar decorations can be made independently from simple materials. Manufacturing decorative candles does not require financial costs and does not take much time, but by showing imagination and putting a piece of your soul into your product, you can create a unique thing that will bring joy to you and your family.

How to make decorative candles with your own hands

What will be required

candle material. Wax, paraffin or stearin. For people who are new to candle making, it is best to start with paraffin wax, as it is easier to work with. Paraffin can be bought or obtained from white household candles or their remains.

Stearin is easily obtained from laundry soap. Grate the soap on a coarse grater or cut it with a knife. Place the chips in a metal container, fill with water so that the liquid covers it and send it to melt in a water bath. When the soap has dissolved, take it off the heat and add the vinegar. A thick mass will float to the surface, which must be collected with a spoon after cooling. This mass is stearin, it must be washed several times under water and wrapped in a clean cloth to remove excess moisture.

Wick. For the wick, you will need a thick cotton thread, for example, a braided thread or a floss twisted into a rope. Synthetic materials for candles are unsuitable because they burn quickly and smell unpleasant. It is easier to get a wick from ordinary candles.

Form. Various containers can be used as a mold for making candles: coffee jars, strong packaging, sand molds and plastic balls. If you decide to make a candle narrowed to the top or a round one, the container that you will use for this, for example, a plastic ball, should be cut lengthwise and a hole with a diameter of at least 1 cm should be made at the top so that the composition can be freely poured into it.

Dyes. You can take dry food colors, wax crayons or natural ingredients, such as cocoa. But paints based on alcohol or water are unsuitable for making candles.

Dishes for melting. A small saucepan or bowl is suitable, which is convenient to place on the steam bath.

Additional materials. You will need them to decorate and add flavors to the product. Since DIY candles are a lot of fantasy, you can use whatever you like, such as coffee, dried flowers, shells, beads and sparkles. Candles can be scented with your favorite essential oils, vanilla or cinnamon.

Progress

Grind the selected raw material and place it in a water bath. If you are using household candles, do not forget to remove the wick. The remains of candles must be cleaned of black soot. While stirring, wait until the mass melts. Dip the wick into it several times so that it is saturated and set it aside.
Add flavoring and coloring to the mass. If you use wax crayons, grind them with a fine grater. When using two or more colors, you can achieve a marble color. And by dividing the mass into several parts and painting them in different colors, you can make a multi-colored candle.
Lubricate the mold chosen for the candle with vegetable oil or dishwashing detergent. Fix the tip of the wick on a stick, toothpick or pencil and place it on the mold so that the free end of the wick passes through its middle and reaches the bottom. For reliability, a weight, for example, a nut, can be attached to the free part of the wick.
Pour the melted mass into the mold, wait for it to solidify completely, then pull out the candle by pulling on the wick. If the candle is difficult to remove, immerse the mold in hot water.
You can decorate candles in different ways, for example, spread dried flowers, blades of grass and seeds around the edges of the mold and then pour the melted mass. To make a coffee candle, you need to pour a layer of coffee beans on the bottom of the mold, pour them liquid material for a candle and put grains on top again. It is better to decorate the product with beads, rhinestones and shells after it has solidified and taken out of the mold. decorative elements inserted into the melted surface of the candle or attached with glue.

Behind last years the attitude towards candles as a means of lighting the house in the absence of electricity has completely changed. How to make a candle at home so that this item becomes exquisite decor and emphasized the individuality of the design of the house?. For many, candle making has become the backbone of a small business.

In recent years, the attitude towards candles as a means of lighting a house in the absence of electricity has completely changed.

Candle made with my own hands, - This lovely gift friends and relatives. It is very convenient to make such a gift for Valentine's Day to a loved one.

Seeing a beautiful candle in a souvenir shop, many are eager to make a similar one themselves. Most of those who wish never try, because they think that this is a difficult task, and without special training they will not be able to make decorative candles with their own hands.

It turns out that this is not the case, and anyone who wants to learn can do it. The main thing is to start, and over time, understanding of the process and mastery will come.

Making candles at home does not require a large number materials and tools. This allows you to learn candle making faster, and this lesson is not too expensive for the family budget.

For beginner candle makers, you need to purchase the following materials and tools:

wax, paraffin, candle gel;
capacity for melting wax and paraffin;
natural cotton threads or ready-made candle wicks;
sticks, at least 2, for stirring the base of the candle and attaching the wick;
several forms for candles;
decoration materials;
saucepan for a water bath;
wax crayons;
water thermometer.

Beeswax can be purchased from beekeepers. Paraffin is sold in needlework stores or in the household departments of supermarkets. Materials can also be ordered online.

Seeing a beautiful candle in a souvenir shop, many are eager to make a similar one themselves.

To start making your first candles at home, you can collect paraffin from cinders. Candle gel is purchased at art supply stores or is easy to make yourself.

As a form for candles, any cups, glasses, various containers made of plastic or metal, any improvised means that are not deformed from a paraffin or gel base heated to a high temperature are used.

It is better to start making candles on your own from paraffin. beeswax - natural material, but it is not suitable for making decorative candles. It does not lend itself to coloring and flavoring.

To tint paraffin, you should take paints on oil based. Color good quality can be obtained using children's wax crayons. In needlework stores, special pigments are sold in tablets for coloring paraffin. Some craftswomen use lipstick and shadows for this purpose.

How to make candles with your own hands (video)

Wax and paraffin candles

To make a neat wax candle with your own hands, you need to correctly carry out the process of melting the base. The same remark can be attributed to candles made of paraffin. The base material melts at high temperatures. You need to adapt well and act quickly, because the melted wax and paraffin cool quickly and do not pour well. Due to the high melting temperatures, safety rules must be observed when working with these bases.

Step by step instructions for making candles.

Habitual beeswax is little used to make decorative candles. As noted above, scented and beautifully colored products cannot be made from such wax.

Instead of beeswax, do-it-yourself decorative candles are made from soy gel at home. This is the most popular base material. It is environmentally friendly and slow burning.

The first stage in the production of candles is preparatory. All necessary ingredients, tools and fixtures are purchased and prepared. A professional master class on the topic, with photos and a description, or a video is selected on the Internet.

Before melting, warm water is poured into the prepared container. soap solution. It may be needed to collect wax in case of splashing or spilling of the molten mass. Nearby have cardboard and a towel or cloth napkin.

It is absolutely impossible to melt wax directly. This process must be done slowly so that the wax does not burn out and evaporate. Therefore, the melting of the base is carried out in a water bath.

A water bath is built from 2 pans. in container bigger size half pour water. Another pan is inserted into it, preferably with handles. It is needed to melt the wax.

The second stage is the manufacture of the wick. To do this, take a cotton thread. The wick of colored floss threads looks original.

The type of wick depends on the base material. For wax candles, it is made from thick, slightly intertwined threads. For paraffin and gel products, the threads are tightly twisted so that the candle does not smoke when burning. From a thick wick, a candle will burn and smoke very quickly, and from a thin one, it will burn badly and go out.

In addition to simple twisting, the threads can be braided or crocheted. Before pouring the candle, the wick is impregnated with wax or paraffin.

The third stage is the choice of form. How to make a candle at home without special forms? It all depends on the imagination of the craftswoman. The shape for a candle can be any container and packaging that can withstand high temperatures melted wax. Since the wax coating is poorly removed from the dishes, it is better to choose unnecessary consumable containers as forms.

The fourth stage is the melting of the base material. The melting temperature of wax candles depends on its type:

paraffin wax has a melting point of +50…+60°С;
bee - +62 ... + 79 ° С;
soy gel can be melted at temperatures not exceeding +80°C.

There are many master classes on the Internet on how to melt wax correctly. The melting temperature can be monitored with a candy thermometer or a meat thermometer.

Wax or paraffin is crumbled into small pieces, as large pieces melt for a long time. The grated mass is placed in the upper saucepan of a water bath. When the water in the lower saucepan boils, reduce the heat slightly to maintain an even melting point.

Flavoring is added to the melted wax if scented candles are made. The mixture mixes well. Then add the dye and mix again.

The fifth stage is the casting of wax or the actual creation of a candle. The wick is fixed in the center of the form. Its tip must be fixed on wooden stick. It is laid on top of the mold so that the thread is exactly in the middle of the mold. A knot is tied at the free end of the wick. The length of the thread should be such that it rests on the bottom of the container.

The wax is then poured into the mold and allowed to cool. If the candle mold has a hole in the bottom, then the wax is poured in several passes. Pour the molten base carefully so as not to burn yourself and not move the wick to the side.

The mold is left to cool. The product must be refrigerated for at least 24 hours. Some people try to speed up the cooling process by placing the mold in the freezer. It is better not to do this, as such candles do not burn well. During natural cooling, the material is evenly compacted and maintains high-quality and long-term combustion.

Gel candles

To make a gel candle with your own hands, you need to have the following materials:

gel wax;
reinforced wick;
essential oils;
liquid dyes;
decor elements.

Soy gel is a natural, absolutely non-toxic substance. It is used to make decorative and aromatherapy candles. The substance retains essential oils well and releases them better when burned. The smell will be richer and brighter.

The addition of essential oils to wax lowers its melting point. Impregnation of the wick with soy gel allows you to get an even and clean burning. During combustion, soot and carcinogens are not released, which cannot be said about paraffins, and even more so about stearins.

Do-it-yourself scented candles (video)

Making gel wax at home

It is not difficult to establish the production of candles from soy gel, since they can be made at home. You can read about how to make soy gel yourself on the forums of craftswomen on hand made. Standard Recipe:

gelatin - 5 g or 1 tsp;
tannin - 2 g or on the tip of a knife;
water - 20 ml or 4 tsp;
glycerin - 35 ml or 1 tbsp. l. and 2 tsp.

Tannin is dissolved in glycerin by heating. Continuing to heat the mixture, gelatin is added to it. The resulting solution should be clear. The prescription amount of water is added to it. While stirring, the mixture is brought to a boil. When adding water, the solution may become cloudy, but with further boiling it will clear. The mixture is boiled until the water has completely evaporated.

The finished gel is poured into a pre-prepared refractory mold with a wick fixed in it. The gel, made by hand, is not inferior in quality to the one bought in the store.

Making scented candles

If you have the skills to make wax candles at home, then it will not be difficult to solve the problem of how to make an aromatic candle. aroma candles homemade have many advantages over store-bought products. The main advantage is that they are environmentally friendly, the components used for their production are harmless.

Any natural essential oils can be used to flavor wax products. But it should be borne in mind that when burning, some of them can change their smell. Before adding aromatic substances, they should be heated in order to understand what the smell of a burning candle will be like. Waxes can be flavored with exotic spices, tea mix, coffee beans.

Candle decoration

You can decorate homemade candles different ways. The very first is the shape of the products, it can be unusual and unexpected. Various stickers are used. interesting way finishes - decoupage with napkins.

A decorative pattern can be made using dried flowers, grass, fruits, citrus fruits, coffee beans, pebbles, shells, petals and other elements. In the decoration of decorative products, everything that fantasy tells the craftswomen is used.

Jewelry should be fixed in the mold before pouring the melted base. Pour the hot mass carefully so as not to shift the pattern.

Attention, only TODAY!

I want to tell you how to make candles with your own hands at home. Although they are no longer relevant as light sources, they are excellent in the role decorative ornaments And original gifts. You will learn the most popular recipes that can be implemented even without artistic skills.

We create masterpieces on our own

Recipes for making candles that are easy to implement without leaving home:

Recipe number 1: "Wax"

Wax candles have a very simple structure:

They are created from the following materials:

Name	Purpose	Image
Wax or paraffin	Creation directly of the body of the manufactured product. To obtain such materials, you can use ordinary household candles.
Thread of cotton or floss	Creating a wick, which actually will radiate heat with light, slowly burning down
Pot	Organization of a water bath for melting wax or paraffin
A clean metal container, in the role of which a ladle is perfect	The content of wax or paraffin during their melting in a water bath
Molds made of tin, glass or plastic	Shaping curable wax or paraffin
Wooden stick or regular pencil	Wick attachment

For the first time, I recommend taking someone to help you, since the melted wax will begin to set in fifteen minutes after removing it from the burner. Due to inexperience alone, you may not have time to complete all the necessary actions.

Now let's look at the step by step tasks:

	Step #1: We tie one edge of a cotton thread or floss to the middle of a stick or pencil; We place the stick or pencil itself on top of the form, laying it on its edges so that the second edge of the wick descends to the bottom of the container; So we do with each of the prepared forms
	Step #2: To melt wax or paraffin, start by cutting them into small pieces. This will greatly speed up the process; Then we collect about half a pot of water and put on a slow fire; Pour the prepared material into the ladle, after which we immerse the container in heating water; Stir the melting contents until it completely turns into a liquid homogeneous state without lumps.
	Step #3: Melted wax or paraffin in a small amount is poured into the mold just enough so that the lower edge of the wick sinks into it; If necessary, we correct the thread or floss so that the fixation occurs qualitatively; We wait about a minute for the material to set.
	Step #4: Carefully pour in the remaining melted paraffin or wax; We leave the form until it is completely set.
	Step #5: After about 24 hours, we check how well the material used to create the candle body has frozen; Then we measure the length of the wick by eye so that it is convenient to light it; Cut off the excess; A day later, the product can be used for its intended purpose.

It is better to use forms with smooth edges or disposable ones that can be simply destroyed. Then you do not have to leave ready-made candles in them.

Recipe number 2: "Colored"

A do-it-yourself colored candle at home is created almost exactly the same as a regular wax candle, with the exception of one additional ingredient: wax pencils.

They have a very large range of possible colors, which opens up tremendous opportunities for transforming the appearance of hand-made candles:

So you can make just a plain product by adding a piece of pencil you like to the paraffin or wax melted in a water bath. It will also dissolve, coloring the boring yellowness into a more cheerful and interesting shade;

If you throw several multi-colored pieces at once into the melting mass, then you will get a rainbow candle;
Striped specimens are more popular. In their manufacture, each portion of wax with a new color is poured after the previous one has completely solidified. The process, of course, is delayed, but the result looks amazing.

If, after pouring each new layer, the form is not placed directly on the table, but set at an angle, then more complex ornaments can be obtained than the “zebra”.

Recipe #3: Flavored

It is not necessary to be limited to adding colored wax pencils alone. At home, you can also add a few drops to the prepared solution before pouring it. essential oil. In this case, your candle will become even more fragrant and even have a positive effect on the body.

Here are examples of the effects of some essences:

Lavender and bergamot help to relax as much as possible, which is indispensable after a hard day at work;

Lemon and rosemary contribute to raising a good mood and removing negative thoughts;

Geranium, rose and lavender relieve stress;

Recipe number 4: "Transparent gel"

Here, in order to make a candle at home, a special candle gel is used instead of wax or paraffin.

This gives a very important visual effect - transparency, due to which adjustments are also made to the manufacturing process itself:

If the form is used with concave edges, then it must be transparent. Otherwise, the whole meaning of the helium candle will be lost;

The selected form should be heated before direct pouring of the melted gel to prevent the formation of bubbles in the structure of the manufactured product;
In the process of forming the body of a candle, decorative elements are immersed in its material, which, due to the transparency of the helium composition, freeze inside. And as a decoration, everything that your imagination tells you will do. It looks amazing.

Recipe number 5: "Fruit"

Human ingenuity does not stop at the above, which I want to prove to you by demonstrating the recipe for candles using natural fruit fragments. For work you will need the following materials:

Having collected everything you need, let's get started tasks:

	Step #1: Carefully cut the lemon with a sharp knife; We take out all the internal pulp from it; We carry out a similar operation with the second fruit
	Step #2: We heat wax or paraffin in a water bath, as it was described in the instructions for creating wax candles; Add dried lavender flowers, a few drops of essential oil and food coloring to the resulting substance; Mix everything thoroughly
	Step #3: In the center of each of the resulting lemon halves, we fix a wick; Then fill them with the prepared mixture
	Step #4: We put the filled fruit bowls in a cool place; Looking forward to their full completion.

Just do not put the lemon molds in the refrigerator, as the wax filling them can harden unevenly there.

Recipe number 6: "Coffee"

In this case, the set of materials and the process itself are similar to the manufacture of a classic wax candle. But more are added coffee beans to give the product a special entourage.

And you can do this in four ways:

It is enough just to add coffee beans to melted wax or paraffin, and you will already get an original drawing on the finished product;

You can also veneer a ready-made candle with grains by gluing them with glue or pressing them to a material that has not yet completely solidified;

The simplest option is to remove the already frozen sample from the mold, place it in a large transparent container and fill the gap between the walls with coffee beans;

If you want to bet on flavor, and not on appearance, then add ground coffee to the melted wax or paraffin. And then, in the process of burning the candle, a pleasant coffee smell will disperse around the room.

Recipe number 7: "With photos"

This is not exactly a recipe for making a candle, since the entire initial process completely repeats the creation of a wax copy. But then, when it has completely hardened, you can begin to apply a photograph on its walls. For this need:

Image	Name
	Hardened paraffin or wax candle
	Tracing paper
	Paper sheet for printer
	Wax paper
	Scotch
	Scissors
	Printer
	hair dryer

Procedure looks like that:

	Step #1: We select a suitable photo; Tracing paper is fixed on a paper sheet with adhesive tape
	Step #2: We fill the combined sheets into the printer so that the copied image is printed on tracing paper; We print out a photo; Separate the tracing paper and cut out the main image from it, leaving a thin white frame
	Step #3: We wrap a candle with a printed photo; Top it with waxed paper; Warm up with a hair dryer until the emerging image becomes clear
	Step #4: Carefully remove the wax paper; We receive the original product

The use of homemade candles

Summing up, I want to describe in more detail the options for using candles made by myself:

Creating a romantic setting. Full electric lighting, of course, candles self made at home they will not replace, but on the other hand, they can bring romance perfectly;
Decoration of the surrounding. A few whimsically shaped decorative candles can be the main attraction of your home;

Interesting hobby. Making so ancient lighting fixtures very exciting. And if you have a commercial vein, then it can also become profitable;

Aromatization of the room. If you make an aromatic candle, then it will fill with a pleasant, and in some cases even a useful smell, any room in which you install it;

Gift for friends. Homemade candles can also be used as gift souvenirs. So stop worrying about what to give, it's time to get to work!

Products made by own hands

The video in this article contains Additional materials related to the topic under consideration. In the comments, you can ask any questions that interest you.

People have been using candles for a long time. Previously, they served to illuminate the premises, and now they are an element of decor and a way to create a romantic, festive or cozy atmosphere.

You can find many different types of candles in stores, ranging from the simple to the whimsical. Such decorations can be made independently from simple materials. Making decorative candles does not require financial costs and does not take much time, but by showing imagination and putting a piece of your soul into your product, you can create a unique thing that will bring joy to you and your family.

What will be required

Dyes. You can take dry food colors, wax crayons or natural ingredients, such as cocoa. But paints based on alcohol or water are unsuitable for making candles.

Progress

Grind the selected raw material and place it in a water bath. If you are using household candles, be sure to remove the wick. The remains of candles must be cleaned of black soot. While stirring, wait until the mass melts. Dip the wick into it several times so that it is saturated and set it aside.
Add flavoring and coloring to the mass. If you use wax crayons, grind them with a fine grater. When using two or more colors, you can achieve a marble color. And by dividing the mass into several parts and painting them in different colors, you can make a multi-colored candle.
Lubricate the mold chosen for the candle with vegetable oil or dishwashing detergent. Fix the tip of the wick on a stick, toothpick or pencil and place it on the mold so that the free end of the wick passes through its middle and reaches the bottom. For reliability, a weight, for example, a nut, can be attached to the free part of the wick.
Pour the melted mass into the mold, wait for it to solidify completely, then pull out the candle by pulling on the wick. If the candle is difficult to remove, immerse the mold in hot water.
You can decorate candles in different ways, for example, spread dried flowers, blades of grass and seeds around the edges of the mold and then pour the melted mass. To make a coffee candle, you need to pour a layer of coffee beans on the bottom of the mold, pour them with liquid candle material and put the beans on top again. It is better to decorate the product with beads, rhinestones and shells after it has solidified and taken out of the mold. Decorative elements are inserted into the melted surface of the candle or attached with glue.