How to make candles at home, lots of ideas for you to choose from. Making candles is a great craft to learn and one of those vintage skills that we should keep alive. There are so many different ways to handcraft your candles, some easier than others. I hope you’ll find one of the methods I’ve included fun for yourself or as a project for the kids.
How to Make Candles at Home
Is it cheaper to make homemade candles than buy them?
This is a hard one to answer. Yes, it CAN save you money to make candles at home yourself. This will depend greatly on the types of candles you want to make and what materials you already have available. I think the initial investment into candle making materials is the real expense. You can, however, consider making candles from recycled materials to save money. But the real considerations are using quality materials that you are burning in your home, learning the art of candle making and being able to customize the candles to your home or tastes.
One of the biggest benefits to making your own candles is you’ll avoid toxic materials in many store bought candles.
What are the best ways to make candles at home?
There are so many different ways to make candles and I don’t think one is better than the other. As you try different methods and materials you’ll probably decide you like making certain types of candles more than others. I tend to make a lot of mason jar candles, because I can make them quickly and people love them.
What materials are used to make candles?
Basic candle making supplies would include:
- Candle Wax
- Containers
- Candle Wicks
- Dedicated Pot for Melting Was
- Optional, Scents and Colorings
Candle Making Safety
Like almost any DIY project you need to take a few safety precautions before you starting your candle making.
- Make your candles in a well-ventilated area, especially when using fragrances. I recommend opening a window in your work area.
- Always work on a flat surface.
- Having a dedicated area for candle making is best but if you have to work at a kitchen table be sure to protect it from getting hot wax and material on it. I use a plastic tablecloth.
- Protect yourself from hot wax. This is not the best barefoot activity, take it from me. You may want to consider wearing gloves when working with the hot wax.
- Always have a fire extinguisher available. I’ve never had to use it but you’re working with hot materials, so it is just a good idea.
- Do not put liquid wax down the drain – you’ll be buying new pipes if you do!
- Never leave hot materials unattended!
Easy Mason Jar Candles
Mason Jar candles are a perfect beginner’s candle. They are easy to make, take very little supplies and you can customize them in size, colors, materials, etc. People love the mason jar candles that I’ve given as gifts so I like to keep some on hand, just for gift giving. You can make a lot of these candles at one time, fast. Mason jar candles also store very well for emergencies.
Step by Step – How to Make Mason Jar Candles
How to Make Pillar Candles
A pillar candle is generally a candle made of hard wax that can stand alone, not in a container. These pillar candles can be made in a variety of sizes and shapes. They take a bit more skill in making candles that ones in a container. I recommend waiting until you’ve made a few container candles to try your hand at pillar.s
See: How to Make Pillar Candles
Making Beeswax Candles
You can use beeswax to make lots of different candles, like the mason jars above. It is a much more natural material to use and people have been making beeswax candles for generations.
How to Make All Natural Beeswax Candles with Molds
How to Make Tallow Candles
Tallow candles are candles made from rendering beef fat. If you are really into learning vintage skills then you should render your own beef fat for tallow before making candles. It should be noted that tallow candles have a scent that not everyone appreciates so make just a few your first time.
How to Render Beef Fat for Tallow
How to Make Beef Tallow Candles
Making Soy Candles
Soy candles are made from wax derived form soybean oil. Soy wax candles are generally made in containers but if you mix it with other materials than can be made into pillars as well.
What are the benefits of a soy candle? Well they are said to be cleaner to burn than traditional candles. They also can last much longer than paraffin wax candles. Because soy wax has little to no scent this makes it perfect for making scented candles.
How to Make Essential Oil Scented Soy Candles
Making Candles from Recycled Materials
Did you know you can make new candles from old candles you’re no longer using? There are actually a few recycled candles you can make fairly easily!
How to make new candles from old candles
Another fun recycled candle project is to make some candles from old crayons. These make great teacher’s gifts too!
How to make candles from old crayons
How to Make Candles with Kids
A candle making project can be something fun to do with the kids as a craft or homeschooling lesson (think about the science of candle making and history of candle making). Of course you want to take ALL the safety precautions listed above first; and never leave a child alone with hot wax!
The first candle I ever made was in Girl Scouts! It was an ice candle made in an old milk carton. I kept that for years and couldn’t bring myself to burn my candle because I was so proud of it.
Find a fun candle making project that the whole family will enjoy!
Instructions on How to Make An Ice Candle
How to Make Milk Carton Candles at Home
Granulated Wax Candle Making Instructions
How do I start a candle making business from home?
If you really love making candles you might want to consider doing it for profit. It could make a nice part time income doing something you already enjoy.
- You can try selling on etsy or ebay
- Sell candles at your local farmer’s market (you may be able to share a table with someone else)
- See if a local shop would be willing to sell your handmade candles for a share of the profits
- Put a listing on Craigslist or in the Facebook Marketplace
Happy candle making my friends!
