Can you paint candles?
Yes. If you are making pillar candles the outside can be painted with acrylic paint. The paint is not in the melt pool and does not interfere with the wick. This type of candle often will tunnel or not completely…
Tag candle making basics
Can I color candles naturally?
Yes. It has to be a product or food that can be steeped in oil and filtered so that no particles are suspended in the oil. The oil is used as a colorant. It is difficult to get vibrant colors…
Can you use food coloring in candles?
Yes. It has to be an oil-based colorant and there is no guarantee of the outcome depending on the brand as this is not what they are meant for. If you are making candles as a craft to sell it…
What can you add to candle wax?
Keep in mind that anything that is flammable normally is going to be flammable in your candle. Adding things that are tiny like spices such as cinnamon may clog the wick and may interfere with the candle burning. Cinnamon sticks…
What supplies do I need to make candles?
This article is for the occasional crafter that likes to make their own candle. Making candles from scratch requires a few things like candle wax, candle wicks, and vessels to pour the melted wax in. The vessels can be glass…
How to Make Candles at Home
Make Easy Candles in 6 Steps Before you start – candle making can be messy. Cover your area with something protective like newspaper or plastic. I always wear an apron! All candles require testing. I have included affiliate links to…
Wooden Wick Candle Making
Candle making is a fun experience, especially for those who adore creativity. If you’re a DIY kind of person, then you’re going to love the experience of wooden wick candle making. If you get better at it, you can also…
What is the strongest smelling candle scent?
The strongest smelling candle scent is peppermint. Another strong candle scent is spearmint and eucalyptus. These fragrances open your sinuses and are good for congestion.
Does Soy Wax Expire?
Soy wax does expire. It has a shelf life of about 2-3 years if stored properly in an air-tight container. Candle wax made from soy wax has a shelf life of about 2 years. After that, the fragrance oil begins…
Can you put stickers in candles?
You can’t put stickers in candles. The ink and paper from the sticker would dissolve over time and the image would likely be distorted or destroyed. The better choice would be accessories. You can put stickers on candles.
Should you cover candles when not in use?
You should cover candles when not in use. Soy wax candles are prone to evaporation and the fragrance oil load may deteriorate over time. Paraffin or pillar wax holds the fragrance better. A lid or cover also protects the candle…
Can I put flowers in my candles?
You can put flowers in your candles. Many pillar candles are decorated around the outside of the candle with flowers and accessories. Container candles are often decorated with flowers on top. The key is to never leave them unattended and…
Is it safe to make candles in coffee mugs?
It is safe to make candles in coffee mugs. Many coffee mugs are designed to handle hot beverages. Candle testing is important as temperatures should remain around 175 degrees Fahrenheit for the candle container.
Do you add water when melting wax?
You do not add water when melting wax. Candle wax is an oil-based product and will not mix with water. You do not add additional water when melting wax melts in a wax burner. Wax melts are ready out-of-the-package.
Why does salt make candles burn longer?
Salt makes candles burn longer because it raises the melting point of the wax melt pool. The candle will require just a little more heat to burn resulting in a longer time. Sprinkle just a dash into the wax melt…
What happens if you pour paraffin wax too cold?
If you pour paraffin wax too cold the surface of the candle will be rough in texture. If you try to pour paraffin too cold to reduce shrinking it can result in what are called “jump lines” that look like…
What happens if you pour soy wax too cold?
If you pour soy wax too cold the texture of the candle wax becomes very rough and pitted. The candle wax may get large air bubbles trapped and not burn correctly. Soy wax should never be poured at temperatures lower…
What wax holds the most fragrance?
Natural soy wax holds the most fragrance by weight at 8-10%. Some lighter fragrances can be added to soy wax up to 12%. This is almost twice the fragrance load of paraffin. Paraffin wax holds 4-6% fragrance by weight. Gel…
What is the strongest fragrance candle?
The strongest fragrance candle is Yankee Candle. The ultimate scent hot throw comes from paraffin wax and is our choice for commercial candles hands down. The strongest fragrance candle scent is peppermint and the runner-up is eucalyptus. It has earned…
How to Make Soy or Paraffin Wax Pillar Candles
Making Pillar Candles In 6 Easy Steps Making a Paraffin Pillar Candle Making a pillar candle requires a candle wax that is hard enough to hold its shape when it is out of a container. Most pillar candles are primarily…
How to Properly Color Candle Wax for Best Results
A candle that does not burn correctly is a lot of work to be disappointed in the end. For personal use, you may find things that work, but for selling candles, stick with the best manufacturing processes. Only use approved…
How to find the right wick for my candles
Choosing the right wick for your candle can make the difference between a good and a bad candle. As a beginner candle maker, buy the wicks pre-tabbed, cut, and coated. The primary differences are the wick sizes in diameter. The…
Candle Making Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
I have been making candles since the 1970s. My website has information that you will not find anywhere else. I can give you tips for the beginner candlemaker through to the advanced candle maker. I can also pass on my…
Best Places to Get Candle Making Supplies
Shop local for candle-making supplies when you can. I do as I save a ton in shipping. Supplies can get heavy and you save money when you purchase in larger quantities. Purchase what you can afford and use. Some products have…
How to Perform Candle Testing
Candle testing prior can avoid a lot of troubleshooting later on. Make this part of your candle-making process. Learning what candle performs better will help you get the most from this craft. To perform candle testing properly you make candles…
Do Candles Need to Cure?
Curing is the last process in candle making. After a candle has been poured and congealed it is not finished. Yes, a candle continues to create a bond between the wax and the fragrance oil as quickly as 48 hours…
How Do I Get The Fragrance In My Candle To Smell Stronger?
We make candles or buy candles because we want the fragrance to smell strong enough to fill the room and connect with a feeling associated with that scent. We want that trigger to be part of our current reality and…
How to Make Candle Embeds
Adding a candle wax embed to candles or wax melts can give it that final touch or signature look. Candle embeds can be a single simple element or a collage of items made from candle wax to look like your…
Candle wax blends – Can you mix paraffin and soy wax?
You don’t have to use candle wax straight out of the box! Wax blends make better candles. Mixing paraffin and soy candle wax produce a stable blend that is easier to work with. There are 6 primary types of waxes…
Beginner Candle Making Equipment Guide
Making candles at home can be simple. You can borrow candle making equipment from your kitchen and set it aside each time you want to make candles at home. What candle making equipment do you need? Melting pot or pitcher…
Are Jars From Dollar Tree OK for Candles?
Yes. Many candle makers in the community use the stout round and square vessels or jars from Dollar Tree for candle making. The Rocks Glass Candleholders are 3.25″ in diameter and 4 inches tall. The Square Glass Candleholder is 3…
