Creative Crafting

Making soy candles is an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon, plus if you have never made a candle it is a new experience.  Enjoy and indulge yourself in this endeavor.  However, there are a few things you should know and you should take precautions.

First:  All soy wax is not the same.  Depending on the manufacturers temperature requirements will determine how your candle turns out.  Follow manufacturers directions for temperature.

Second:  If you plan on using electronic equipment to melt the wax, it won’t work and in fact can be quite dangerous not only for your equipment but for yourself.  It is like oil and water…they don’t mix!

Once you are sure about the manufacturers instructions and have the right equipment to melt the wax you are ready to start on your first candle.  Candle making is not hard, so don’t let it intimidate you.  Decide how many candles you want to make.  For every pound of soy wax  melted you should get about sixteen ounces of liquid wax.  To decide how much wax to use you will need to know how much liquid your mold or container will hold.  All you need to do is take some water and fill the container to the level of the candle, now pour the water from the container into a measuring cup this should tell you how many ounces of wax you will need.  Dry this container thoroughly.

Read your directions on the wax package carefully.  Now you are ready to melt the wax.  You will need some type of thermonter to be able to tell when the wax has reached the desired temperatures.  You will heat it and then let it cool down according to directions.  After it has cooled add your desired fragrance.  Stir the mixture slowly a few times, do not whip as you don’t want bubbles.  Now you are ready to pour your liquid wax into your container.  You will know when it is time to pour when it has reached the cooling temperature according to the instructions on the wax and when you see the wax changing its consistency.

If you are doing different colors wait at least 15 minutes between pouring colors. There are different techniques to make your candles unique.  You can decorate them with ribbons, dried flowers, buttons, labels, just use your imagination and have fun.

With the holidays not far away candles would make great inexpensive gifts to give to family, friends, teachers anyone who has touched your life.

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