Okay, so I wanted to mess around with making some candles. I’ve seen a bunch of videos online, and it looked pretty straightforward, right? Famous last words. I figured I’d start simple, just plain old wax, see how it goes, then maybe get fancy later with colors and scents.
Gathering My Supplies
First things first, I gathered everything I thought I’d need. I got some soy wax flakes online – seemed like the easiest option for a beginner. Then I found some wicks, also online, and picked up some cheap glass jars from a local craft store. I already had a double boiler setup at home, so that part was covered.
The Melting Process
Next up, the melting. I filled the bottom part of my double boiler with water and brought it to a simmer. Then I dumped the wax flakes into the top part. It took a while, longer than I expected, actually. I kept stirring it with a wooden spoon, just to make sure it all melted evenly. Eventually, it turned into this clear liquid, which was kind of satisfying to watch.
- Patience is key:Seriously, the wax takes time to melt completely. Don’t rush it!
- Stirring helps:Keeps things moving and prevents any bits from sticking to the bottom.
Wicking the Jars
While the wax was melting, I prepped the jars. I stuck the wicks to the bottom of the jars. I used wick stickers and placed them in the center of the jars’ base.
Pouring the Wax
Once the wax was completely melted, I carefully poured it into the jars. I had to work fairly quickly, as the wax started to cool down and get cloudy as soon as I took it off the heat. This part was a little tricky, trying not to spill any, and also making sure I left a bit of space at the top of the jar.
The Waiting Game
Then came the hardest part – waiting! I left the candles to cool and harden completely. It took several hours, and I was constantly checking on them, which probably didn’t help. I placed the jar in a safe place in order not to be disturbed.
The Final Result
Finally, they were solid! I trimmed the wicks down to about a quarter of an inch, and that was it. My very own, homemade candles! They weren’t perfect, a couple had some slight imperfections on the surface, but overall, I was pretty pleased with my first attempt.