Since ancient times, beeswax has been considered a valuable material; it was not easy to obtain. It was originally used to make candles, which were quite expensive. With the widespread development of beekeeping, everything has become much more accessible. However, real wax is still common only in narrow circles of beekeepers. But if you yourself or your relatives are engaged in beekeeping, it will not be difficult for you to get material to create wax candles with your own hands, which will serve interesting elements decor or great gifts for loved ones.
Natural beeswax has many advantages over paraffin or, for example, gel. Wax candles do not form soot when burning and do not emit carcinogens. They also contain propolis and natural essential oils, which have a beneficial effect on our body when burning.
Among other advantages, it is worth noting that with the spread of industry and urban life, people began to lose touch with nature and therefore value even small news from the green world more. And candles made from natural beeswax have every right to be considered a link between urbanization and artisan origins.
Rules for working with wax
To avoid force majeure that may overtake you when working with wax, remember a few simple rules:
- Always use an apron. It is desirable that it be made of thick canvas fabric.
- When working with wax, do not wear revealing clothing. It is better if you wear a sweater or long-sleeved shirt to avoid getting burned if hot wax gets on your body.
- The wax begins to melt at a temperature of 65°, you need to make sure that the wax does not overheat, otherwise it may ignite. This can be easily prevented by heating the material in a water bath, when the condition of the wax can be constantly monitored.
- When heating the wax, you need to be constantly nearby, you cannot leave.
- If wax catches fire, you should never put it out with water, otherwise an explosion may occur. In this case, you should always have baking soda on hand.
By following all the rules for working with wax, this activity will bring you only joy and pleasure.
Materials and preparation for work
To make original candles, you need to choose their design and color in advance, decide whether they will be flavored or regular.
For work we need following materials and tools:
- water bath pan;
- container for melting wax;
- molds for candles. It is better to lubricate them before work liquid soap, dish soap or vegetable oil;
- baking soda;
- wick. For wax candles, it is recommended to use natural cotton threads;
- wax dyes. Natural wax crayons and food coloring are suitable (just not for water based), you can also use gel pigments;
- stick or pencil. Needed to secure the wick;
- wick weight;
- natural wax. It can be purchased in specialized stores in the form of wax or granules.
Manufacturing progress
The process of making wax candles is quite simple to perform. If everything is done correctly and all simple conditions are met, you will enjoy not only the work itself, but also the excellent result. This master class will help you navigate the choice of product and perform it in the best possible way.
First you need to melt the wax in a water bath.
On a note! If you purchased large pieces of material, it is better to cut it into smaller pieces.
Next we proceed to fixing the wick. We attach a weight to the lower end of the thread so that the future wick does not dangle when filling the mold with wax. If it is possible to make a hole in the bottom of the container, then thread the thread there and tie a knot at its end; in this case, a weight is not required. It is advisable to wax the thread itself. Tie the upper end of the wick to a pencil or stick, as shown in the photo:
Now you can start filling the mold with wax. Let the wax harden. There is no need to rush to remove the finished candle from the mold; it is better to let it stay in it longer.
When the product has hardened well, you can pull it out of the container by pulling the end of the wick. This will work if there is a weight attached to the wick. If the thread is secured to the form with a knot, you just need to cut it.
If desired, you can easily and simply give the candle any color and shape. The color is created using dyes, the shape can be initially chosen to be curly. The simplest option is to use silicone molds for baking. They are easy to use, it is easy to get a ready-made candle from them, they can be found in any hardware store in a large assortment:
Also unusual look The candle can be decorated using paper gluing:
It is possible to use a split form:
The option of using ice to create an openwork candle is very simple and interesting. When filling the mold with wax, pieces of ice are added to it, which then flows out through the holes, leaving an unusual ornament:
It is possible to make a magnificent rose with your own hands from wax. This does not require any special skills. Making the petals yourself is not difficult. You need to pour the melted wax onto a saucer in a thin layer, then start wrapping the plates that are not completely frozen around the wick.
Video on the topic of the article
The videos below will help you complete the job of making wax candles correctly and without problems:
People have been using candles for a long time. Previously, they served to illuminate rooms, but now they are an element of decor and a way to create a romantic, festive or cozy atmosphere.
You can find a lot in stores different types candles, ranging from simple to fancy. You can make similar decorations yourself from simple materials. Manufacturing decorative candles will not require financial costs and will not take much time, but by showing your 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 you need
Candle material. Wax, paraffin or stearin. For people new to candle making, it is best to start with paraffin wax as it is easier to work with. Paraffin can be purchased or obtained from white household candles or their remains.
Stearine is easily obtained from laundry soap. Grate the soap on a coarse grater or slice it with a knife. Place the shavings in a metal container, fill with water until the liquid covers them and send to melt in a water bath. When the soap has dissolved, remove it from the heat and add the vinegar. A thick mass will float to the surface, which needs to be collected with a spoon after cooling. This mass is stearin; it must be rinsed 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, braided or twisted floss. Synthetic materials for candles are unsuitable because they burn quickly and smell unpleasant. It's easier to get a wick from regular candles.
Form. You can use different containers as a mold for making candles: coffee jars, durable packaging, sand molds and plastic balls. If you decide to make a narrowed or round candle, the container 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 use dry food coloring, wax crayons, or natural ingredients, such as cocoa. But alcohol- or water-based paints are not suitable for making candles.
Melting utensils. A small saucepan or bowl that can be conveniently placed in a steam bath will do.
Additional materials. You will need them to decorate and add fragrance to the product. Since DIY candles provide a lot of room for imagination, you can use whatever you like, for example, coffee, dried flowers, shells, beads and sparkles. You can scent the candles 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. Remains of candles must be cleaned of black soot. While stirring, wait until the mass melts. Dip the wick into it several times until it is saturated and set it aside.
- Add flavoring and coloring to the mixture. If you use wax crayons, you need to grind them using a fine grater. By using two or more colors you can achieve a marbled look. And by dividing the mass into several parts and painting them in different colors, you can make a multi-colored candle.
- Grease the mold chosen for the candle with vegetable oil or dishwashing detergent. Attach the tip of the wick to 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, you can attach a weight, such as a nut, to the free part of the wick.
- Fill the mold with the melted mass, wait until it hardens completely, then remove the candle by pulling the wick. If the candle is difficult to remove, immerse the mold in hot water.
- You can decorate candles in different ways, for example, place dried flowers, blades of grass and seeds around the edges of the mold and then pour in 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 the candle and put the grains on top again. Decorating the product with beads, rhinestones and shells is best done after it has hardened and been removed from the mold. Decorative elements inserted into the melted surface of the candle or secured with glue.
Behind last years the attitude towards candles as a means of illuminating 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 home design?. For many, candle making has become the basis of a small business.
In recent years, the attitude towards candles as a means of lighting a home in the absence of electricity has completely changed
Candle made with my own hands, - This wonderful gift friends and relatives. It’s very useful to make such a gift for Valentine’s Day for your loved one.
Having seen a beautiful candle in a souvenir shop, many people are eager to make a similar one themselves. Most people who want to do so never try it, 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 true, and anyone who wants to learn can do it. The main thing is to start, and over time an understanding of the process and mastery will come.
Making candles at home does not require large quantity materials and tools. This allows you to quickly learn candle making, and this activity 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;
- container for melting wax and paraffin;
- natural cotton threads or ready-made candle wicks;
- sticks, at least 2, for stirring the candle base and attaching the wick;
- several molds for candles;
- materials for decoration;
- water bath pan;
- wax crayons;
- water thermometer.
Beeswax can be purchased from beekeepers. Paraffin is sold in craft stores or in the hardware departments of supermarkets. Materials can also be ordered online.
Having seen a beautiful candle in a souvenir shop, many people are eager to make a similar one themselves. To start making your first candles at home, you can collect paraffin from cinders. Candle gel can be purchased at craft supply stores or it is not difficult to make yourself.
As a mold for candles, use any cups, glasses, various containers made of plastic or metal, any available means that are not deformed by a paraffin or gel base heated to a high temperature.
It is better to start making candles yourself using paraffin. Beeswax – natural material, but it is not suitable for making decorative candles. It cannot be dyed or aromatized.
To tint paraffin, you should take paints at oil based. Color good quality can be obtained using children's wax crayons. Craft stores sell special pigments in tablets for coloring paraffin. Some craftswomen use lipstick and eye shadow 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 applied to paraffin candles. The base material melts at high temperatures. You need to adapt well and act quickly, since melted wax and paraffin cool quickly and do not flow well. Due to the high melting temperatures, safety precautions must be followed when working with these bases.
Step-by-step instructions for making candles.
Conventional beeswax is little used for making decorative candles. As noted above, scented and beautifully colored products cannot be made from such wax.
Instead of beeswax, DIY decorative candles are made at home from soy gel. 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 equipment are purchased and prepared. A professional master class on the topic, with photographs and descriptions, or a video is selected on the Internet.
Before melting begins, pour warm water into the prepared container. soap solution. It may be needed to collect wax in case of splashing or spilling of the molten mass. Place cardboard and a towel or cloth napkin nearby.
It is strictly forbidden to melt wax directly. This process must be done slowly so that the wax does not burn or evaporate. Therefore, the base is melted in a water bath.
A water bath is constructed from 2 pans. Into container bigger size Pour water up to half. Another pan is inserted into it, preferably with handles. It is needed to melt the wax.
The second stage is making the wick. To do this, take a cotton thread. The wick made from 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 woven tightly so that the candle does not smoke when burning. A thick wick will cause a candle to burn and smoke very quickly, while a thin wick will burn poorly and go out.
In addition to simple twisting, the threads can be braided or crocheted into a lace. Before pouring the candle, the wick is impregnated with wax or paraffin.
The third stage is choosing a form. How to make a candle at home without special molds? 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 wax deposits are difficult to remove from dishes, it is better to choose unnecessary consumable containers as molds.
The fourth stage is melting the base material. The melting point of wax candles depends on its type:
- paraffin wax has a melting temperature of +50…+60°C;
- 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. You can monitor the melting point using a pastry thermometer or a meat thermometer.
Wax or paraffin is crushed into small pieces, since large pieces take a long time to melt. The grated mass is placed in the upper saucepan of the water bath. When the water in the bottom saucepan boils, reduce the heat slightly to maintain an even melting temperature.
Fragrance is added to the melted wax when making scented candles. The mixture is mixed well. Then add dye and mix again.
The fifth stage is wax casting or the actual creation of the candle. The wick is fixed in the center of the mold. Its tip must be secured to wooden stick. It is placed 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.
Next, pour the wax into the mold and let it cool. If the candle mold has a hole in the bottom, then the wax is poured in several passes. You need to pour the molten base carefully so as not to get burned and not to move the wick to the side.
The poured form is left to cool. The product should 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. When the material cools naturally, it compacts evenly and maintains high-quality and long-lasting 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;
- decorative 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.
Adding essential oils to wax allows you to lower its melting point. Impregnation of the wick with soy gel allows for smooth and clean combustion. When burning, soot and carcinogens are not released, which cannot be said about paraffins, and even more so about stearins.
DIY scented candles (video)
Making gel wax at home
Setting up the production of soy gel candles is not difficult, since the base can be made at home. You can read about how to make soy gel yourself on the forums of hand made craftswomen. 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 when heated. Continuing to heat the mixture, gelatin is added to it. The resulting solution should be transparent. The prescribed amount of water is added to it. Stirring, bring the mixture 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 completely evaporates.
The finished gel is poured into a pre-prepared fireproof mold with a wick fixed in it. A gel made by yourself is not inferior in quality to one bought in a store.
Making aroma 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 a scented 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 burned, some of them may change their smell. Before adding aromatic substances, they should be heated to understand what the smell of a burning candle will be. Waxes can be flavored with exotic spices, tea mix, or 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 finishing – decoupage with napkins.
A decorating pattern can be made using dried flowers, grass, fruits, citrus fruits, coffee beans, pebbles, shells, petals and other elements. In the finishing of decorative products, they use everything that the craftswomen’s imagination suggests.
Decorations should be secured in the mold before pouring the molten base. You need to pour the hot mixture carefully so as not to displace the pattern.
Attention, TODAY only!
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 their 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 No. 1: “Wax”
Wax candles have a very simple structure:
They are created from the following materials:
| Name | Purpose | Image |
| Wax or paraffin | Creation of the body of the manufactured product itself. To obtain such materials, you can use ordinary household candles. |  |
| Cotton thread or floss | Creating a wick that will actually emit heat and light, burning slowly |  |
| Pot | Organizing a water bath for melting wax or paraffin |  |
| A clean metal container, such as a ladle | Wax or paraffin content when melted in a water bath |  |
| Molds made of tin, glass or plastic | Shaping hardening wax or paraffin |  |
| Wooden stick or regular pencil | Wick attachment |  |
For the first time, I recommend taking someone as an assistant, since the melted wax will begin to set within fifteen minutes after removing it from the burner. Due to inexperience, you may not have time to complete all the necessary actions alone.
Now let's look at the step-by-step steps tasks:
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It is better to use forms with smooth edges or disposable ones that can simply be destroyed. Then you won't have to leave ready-made candles in them.
Recipe No. 2: “Colored”
A DIY 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 assortment of possible colors, which opens up enormous possibilities for transforming the appearance of handmade candles:
- This way you can make a simple one-color product by adding a piece of the pencil you like to the paraffin or wax melted in a water bath. It will also dissolve, turning the boring yellowness into a more cheerful and interesting shade;
- If you throw several multi-colored pieces into the melting mass at once, you will get a rainbow candle;
- Striped specimens are more popular. When making them, each portion of wax with a new color is poured after the previous one has completely hardened. The process, of course, is delayed, but the result looks amazing.
If, after pouring each new layer, the mold is not placed directly on the table, but installed at an angle, then you can get more complex patterns than the “zebra”.
Recipe No. 3: “Flavored”
You don't have to limit yourself to adding just colored wax pencils. At home, you can also add a few drops to the prepared solution before pouring it. essential oil. In this case, your candle will begin to smell 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 you relax as much as possible, which is indispensable after a hard day at work;
- Lemon and rosemary help lift a good mood and remove negative thoughts;
- Geranium, rose and lavender relieve stress;
Recipe No. 4: “Transparent gels”
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 a mold is used with concave edges, it must be transparent. Otherwise, the whole meaning of the helium candle will be lost;
- Before directly pouring the melted gel, the selected form should be heated to prevent the formation of bubbles in the structure of the product being manufactured;
- In the process of forming the body of the candle, decorative elements are immersed in its material, which, due to the transparency of the helium composition, freeze inside. Moreover, anything that your imagination tells you is suitable for decoration. It looks amazing.
Recipe No. 5: “Fruit”
Human ingenuity does not stop at the above, which I want to prove to you by demonstrating the recipe for candles using fragments of natural fruits. To work you will need the following materials:
Having collected everything you need, let's get started tasks:
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Just do not put lemon molds in the refrigerator under any circumstances, as the wax filling them may harden unevenly.
Recipe No. 6: “Coffee”
In this case, the set of materials and the process itself are similar to the same production of a classic wax candle. But they also add coffee beans to give the product a special ambience.
And this can be done in four ways:
- You just need to add coffee beans to melted wax or paraffin, and you will already get an original design on the finished product;
- You can also line a finished candle with grains by gluing them with glue or pressing them to a material that has not yet completely hardened;
- 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 rely on the aroma, and not on appearance, then add ground coffee to the melted wax or paraffin. And then, as the candle burns, a pleasant coffee smell will emanate throughout the room.
Recipe No. 7: “With photographs”
This is not exactly a recipe for making a candle, since the entire initial process completely repeats the creation of a wax specimen. But then, when it has completely hardened, you can start applying photographs to its walls. For this need:
| Image | Name |
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Hardened paraffin or wax candle |
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Tracing paper |
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Printer paper sheet |
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Wax paper |
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Scotch |
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Scissors |
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Printer |
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Hairdryer |
Procedure looks like that:
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Using homemade candles
To summarize, I would like to describe in a little more detail the options for using candles made by yourself:
- Creating a romantic atmosphere. Full electric lighting, candles of course self made they won’t replace it at home, but they can bring romance perfectly;
- Decoration of the surrounding. A few decorative candles in whimsical shapes can become the highlight of your home;
- Interesting hobby. Making so ancient lighting fixtures very exciting. And if you have a commercial streak, then it can also become profitable;
- Aromatization of the room. If you make a scented candle, it will fill any room in which you place it with a pleasant, and in some cases even beneficial, scent;
- 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!
Handmade products
The video in this article contains Additional materials related to the topic under consideration. In the comments you can ask any questions you are interested in.
People have been using candles for a long time. Previously, they served to illuminate rooms, but 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 simple ones to fancy ones. You can make such decorations yourself from simple materials. Making decorative candles will not require financial costs and will not take much time, but by showing your 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 you need
Candle material. Wax, paraffin or stearin. For people new to candle making, it is best to start with paraffin wax as it is easier to work with. Paraffin can be purchased or obtained from white household candles or their remains.
Stearine can be easily obtained from laundry soap. Grate the soap on a coarse grater or slice it with a knife. Place the shavings in a metal container, fill with water until the liquid covers them and send to melt in a water bath. When the soap has dissolved, remove it from the heat and add the vinegar. A thick mass will float to the surface, which needs to be collected with a spoon after cooling. This mass is stearin; it must be rinsed 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, braided or twisted floss. Synthetic materials for candles are unsuitable because they burn quickly and smell unpleasant. It's easier to get a wick from regular candles.
Form. You can use different containers as a mold for making candles: coffee jars, durable packaging, sand molds and plastic balls. If you decide to make a narrowed or round candle, the container 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 use dry food coloring, wax crayons, or natural ingredients, such as cocoa. But alcohol- or water-based paints are not suitable 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. Remains of candles must be cleaned of black soot. While stirring, wait until the mass melts. Dip the wick into it several times until it is saturated and set it aside.
- Add flavoring and coloring to the mixture. If you use wax crayons, you need to grind them using a fine grater. By using two or more colors you can achieve a marbled look. And by dividing the mass into several parts and painting them in different colors, you can make a multi-colored candle.
- Grease the mold chosen for the candle with vegetable oil or dishwashing detergent. Attach the tip of the wick to 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, you can attach a weight, such as a nut, to the free part of the wick.
- Fill the mold with the melted mass, wait until it hardens completely, then remove the candle by pulling the wick. If the candle is difficult to remove, immerse the mold in hot water.
- You can decorate candles in different ways, for example, place dried flowers, blades of grass and seeds around the edges of the mold and then pour in the melted mass. To make a coffee candle, you need to pour a layer of coffee beans on the bottom of the mold, fill them with liquid candle material and put the beans on top again. Decorating the product with beads, rhinestones and shells is best done after it has hardened and been removed from the mold. Decorative elements are inserted into the melted surface of the candle or attached with glue.
