A candle lover must have heard of aromatherapy candle making. It is a beautiful way of making fascinating candles that uses pure essential oils to promote an improved feeling of wellbeing. Aromatherapy is not a new thing for humans. In fact, it is a form of science that is in existence since centuries. However, it has witnessed a complete reversal in fortune in recent times, with more and more people expressing keen interest in the way it works its magic. Candle makers and crafters love to use this science to create scented candles. It is particularly preferred by people who seek to create scented products that offer added therapeutic benefits. Aromatherapy offers several health benefits and helps in the treatment of problems like migraine, insomnia, low energy levels etc.

Use of aromatherapy is not just restricted to making candles. It is widely used in creating personal care products like body lotions and scented soaps etc. The basic requirements for making aromatherapy candles are quite similar to that of other types of candles. For example, wax, thermometer, candle making molds, scale, measuring utensils, double boiler and safety equipments etc are also required in these candles. The major difference comes in the usage of fragrance. A point to remember here is that, aromatherapy candle making is quite different to other types of scented candle making.

The most basic element of true aromatherapy products are pure essential oils that are made from natural plant extracts. These oils have special therapeutic benefits. If you are planning to make aromatherapy candle making on your own, you must use highest quality fragrances that you can afford. Below par products will lead to weak scent and no aromatherapy benefit. Experienced aromatherapy candle makers prefer to use soy wax for their projects because it is easier to work with and is more conducive to dispersing fragrance. Beeswax is also a useful idea but it will cost you more. Finally, while making aromatherapy candles, use colors that complement the fragrance. For example, you should use purple for lavender or yellow for lemongrass etc.

So you think candle making and soap making are one and same thing? Apparently not. These two are different crafts and the only similarity between them is the involvement of somewhat similar techniques and equipment. Talking about similarities, they both involve heating or melting. While making, both candle and soap need to be put into a mold to make a new product. One uses some kind of wax (soy, beeswax, paraffin etc) to make candles whereas in soap making one melts solid fat like tallow or lard, glycerin soap blocks or old bits of soap. In order to make soap, oil and other ingredients are heated.

Mold is common item needed in both candle as well as soap making. One can either purchase the mold from the craft store or make it at home. One should ideally use own wooden soap mold if large quantities of soap are being made. You can also use cookie cutters and convert them into cute molds by using mold sealer. Soda can will be equally useful. You can add different fragrance, colors and other interesting items in soap making process. One interesting idea is to use colored soap chunks and pour a clear base over them. This will result in a very appealing see-through, stained glass effect.

Compared to candle making, soap making is more about certain formulas. To make perfect soap, you need to set right temperature and use right additives in a right way. Soap recipes have to be followed as per the rule book. There is not much scope for experimentation in comparison to candle making. Soap making is a great craft and with regular practice, you can always make some wonderful soap designs and styles. Homemade soaps can be wonderful gift items as well. In a way, both soap making and candle making complement each other.

Beeswax candles posses a proud history. They are in existence since centuries and are also the most traditional forms of candles. Beeswax candles are made from the natural source of wax stored in the honeycomb. This wonderful natural substance was used by people in ancient and medieval history for illuminating purposes. Today, we are living in the era where environment friendly measures are being talked about; beeswax candles have again started to become popular. Beeswax candle is a natural candle and a very appropriate choice for people interested in green living.  It is a wonderful skill in the hands of candle makers that can go a long way in establishing a good business of candle making.

You can get beeswax from craft supply stores or directly from the bee keepers in an unprocessed state or in a refined state. More often than not, beeswax is cleaned and bleached that gives it an off white shade. Before you start using beeswax, you will need to clear the debris stored by it in the beehive. Try to prepare your own beeswax because it will help in protecting the rich honey fragrance found in natural beeswax.

The materials required to make beeswax candles are,

Scissors

Sheets of beeswax

Flat working surface

Wick suitable for beeswax candles

You can also opt to buy already prepared beeswax to create candles. Beeswax sheets are great alternative because they are cleaned and refined and you won’t need to indulge yourself into the wax preparation hassle. Place the sheet onto a flat surface and cut the wick in a way so that it is 2 inches longer than the wax sheet. After placing the wick along one edge of the wax sheet, roll the sheet tightly around the wick. Keep rolling until the wax sheet is rolled into a candle shape and then provide heat to the edge of the wax sheet. This will help in sealing the join. You can also add color or scent as per your choice. Try to use natural colors like brown and cream and you are all set to rejoice your self-created wonderful craft.

After going through other articles in this section, you must be pretty sure about the simplicity of the candle making process. It is definitely a simple procedure and step by step directions go a long way in helping you pursue this great hobby. Candle making is a pleasant pastime and can be a good business as well. You can also make your own candles to decorate your house or gift them to your near and dear ones.

Talking about wax candles, there are number of waxes that are used to make candles. Popular ones are, paraffin wax, beeswax and soy wax. Paraffin, as we all know is perhaps the least inexpensive one. It is also the most common one used in making wax candles. Easily available at candle store or even general stores, paraffin is made from petroleum products. Beeswax is a totally natural form of wax stored in the honeycomb. It is also the safest wax to use in the candle making process. Compared to other types of wax, it is relatively expensive. Soy wax, as the name suggest is made from soybean oil and is considered as environment friendly. They burn longer than other wax candles.

Some of the important items required to make wax candles are,

Thermometer

Wax (paraffin, soy, beeswax)

Candle wick

Molding container

Scent pouring container

Color

Melting container

Heat source

Once you have arranged all the materials, you can start the wax candle making process. First, take a large container and fill it with water. Now, boil the water using a heat source. Wax should not be melt directly. You should take a small container, keep the wax in it and then place it in the boiling water. Make sure to keep temperature not more than 80 degree Celsius. Soon you will find wax melting. Now, you need to add color and fragrance and stir the mixture. Candle wick should be placed vertically at the center of the base of the mold. You can use a pencil or something like that to support the wick.

Now, pour the melted wax in the mold and make a few holes on the surface of the wax to get a flat surface. In between, don’t forget to tap the mold slowly to remove air bubbles. Allow the wax to cool down. That’s all. You have your homemade wax candles ready to use and decorate your interiors.

Everybody loves sea shells. In fact, collecting sea shells along the beach is a favorite hobby among kids as well as adults. But sea shells are not just collectible items. They can be wonderful decorative items and could also be included in kids make-and-take party favors. Sea shell candle is a beautiful craft that you can practice even at your home. You will require just few items to practice this craft and further hone your skills.

The few items that you will need are;

Shells

Bar of paraffin

Double boiler with a pouring lip

Stubs of colored candles

Metal wick holders

Wicks

It is quite easy to find these items. You can get them at your nearby craft store. If you are wondering about stubs of colored candles and its use then, it will help you in making candles in various shades. The first step will be of cleaning shells using 10% bleach solution. Clean it thoroughly then rinse with cool water and let it dry. Use a sharp knife to cut the paraffin block into smaller pieces. Now use double boiler to melt these pieces. Keep the water temperature below to a slow simmer. You have two choices of using paraffin as it is or you can try adding chunks of colored wax for diverse color combinations. You should also think of using the old candle stubs and color blends. The experiment can bring wonderful result to the final product.

Use newspapers or plastic sheet to cover the steady surface. Now, pour the melted wax in one of the shells. Time to place the wick and wick holder in the center of the shell and leave the wax for half an hour. Allow wax to cool so that wax will harden. Once completed, you have your wonderful sea shell candle ready to use at party tables or as unique centerpieces, or accent pieces in the bedroom or bath.

Candle holders are available in several attractive styles and designs. A beautiful candle holder can further accentuate the beauty of the candle. Candle holder not only serves useful function of holding the candle and preventing messy wax from spreading in the room but is also considered as an important part of home décor. You will find basic candle holders and intricately designed ones like chandeliers. Numbers of candle stores offer beautiful candle holders but you also have the choice of making them on your own. You can create your own uniquely designed candle holders.

There are many advantages of making candle holders at home. The most striking benefit is that you will be able to create your own design. You don’t require any expensive material or equipment to make candle holder. That means, you can make candle holders on a very low budget. You can use materials like glass jars or bottles to create unique candle holder. This way, you will also be helping environment by recycling disposable materials. These recycled and redesigned holders look very attractive and are functional too. Apart from their basic function of holding the candles, you can also use them as show-pieces in house, offices or hotels.

If you are planning to use glass jars as candle holders then that’s definitely a great idea. All you need to do is to dress up a clean glass jar with glass paint or glass beads for a really dazzling effect. If you want to create stained glass type effect then use special glass paints. You should put small pebbles or sand at the bottom of the glass jar to give it additional stability and attractiveness.

Bottles are other wonderful candle holders. Use glass bottles or wine bottles that can be very effective candle holders for taper candles. They will also provide you a retro feel. You can decide to decorate the glass bottle with glass paints or other adornments which will make it more appealing. Other beautiful self-made candle holder ideas are using air dry clay, glasses, table ware and glass vases etc.

Oil candles are hugely popular among candles aficionados. They look very pretty and attractive. The normal perception about making oil candle is that it is difficult to pursue but truth is far from that. It is actually a very easy activity that does not involve much effort.

There are certain basic materials that you will require to make oil candles;

Funnel

Liquid paraffin oil

Adapter adjustment ring

Oil candle wick

Jar

Thermal glass wick tube

Decorations items like shells and beads, dried flowers and herbs, marbles, fruits and flowers and even chili peppers.

Most of these things can be easily found at craft stores. They are quite inexpensive as well. Once you have gathered all the required materials, you are all set to begin the oil candle making process. Begin by putting liquid paraffin oil in the jar or bottle. Leave some space for the wick. Then, you will need to place your decorations and let it settle. Next step is of inserting the oil wick into the thermal glass wick tube.

After placing the prepared glass wick tube into the bottle, allow the wick to settle down and saturated with the oil. You can also add adapter ring if necessary. And now, you are all ready to soak the beauty of your oil candle. It was as simple as that. Oil candles allow letting your imagination run wild. You can experiment with plenty of styles, designs and colors. The thing to note here is that liquid paraffin oil is easy to work with and that gives you plenty of space to experiment. You don’t really have to worry about fire, melting and heating point, hot wax safety etc.

Making oil candles is all about using your imagination. You can choose specific themes like spring garden, deep blue sea, paintings, season colors and even moods etc. No point sticking to tried and tested method when you can be totally creative. Oil candle making is a wonderful hobby and also a profitable business.

Candles have had a proud history to boast upon. They are in existence since centuries and have always been proved to be a trusted ally for mankind. During ancient times, candles were the first choice for illuminations. Though, now we are living in the age of electric lights, candles have not lost its charm. It holds a significant place in interior decoration. Candles can completely transform the look of a house. During earlier days, tallow was the primary material used to make candles. Tallow referred to animal fat. Though it is used to provide good lighting but it also had a stinking aroma. With the passage of time, things have changed and now candles are made in such a way that they emit soul-soothing scents.

Scented candles are very popular now a day. There is no dearth of delightful fragrances. The only thing that can limit the incorporation of new scents in candles is the lack of imagination. The scented options range from fresh baked chocolate chip cookies to orange blossoms. Scented candles are available in many types and are easily available. Some scented candles are water based whereas some others are oil based. The later one is preferred one because they mix well with most of the candle waxes.

When the candles are made, scent is usually the last item to be added to the wax. It is done during the heating process. The scent is stirred into the melted wax just prior to pouring the wax into the mold which ensures minimum evaporation of the scenting agent. The ideal temperature of the wax while adding scents should be 175 degrees. The effort should be focused on capturing the most of the fragrance. Scents can be of different forms like aromatic herbs, sold wax perfume chips or liquid scents. Most of the natural candle waxes like bayberry, palm, soy or beeswax etc are best suited to make scented candles. Scented candles are definitely a special addition to any room.

Pillar candles make for wonderful gifts. They are also cost effective. If you wish, you can add few nice touches and turn your simple organic pillar candle into an expensive looking gift. These candles are a great way to present someone you love. They can also be decorated onto a table centerpiece. However, there are few things you would require to turn an organic pillar candle into a fascinating gift.

Organic Pillar Candles

Ribbon or dried pliable vine

Modeling clay or paper clay

Organic dye color

Rolling pin

Textured roller

Compared to acrylic base paint, organic dyes give you more options and better chances of adding your desired flare. You can get these dyes at any organic supply store or even make yourself. It is very simple to make organic dyes. For instance, you can make it using fruit pulps or by rubbing green grass on the clay. So, now you are ready to begin the process. Start working with the paper clay and make it flexible. Now put into two pieces of wax paper and by using a rolling pin, wrap the diameter of your organic pillar candles. Leave some gap. Use paper clay in accordance with how many centerpieces or gifts you are planning to make. Now that you have already rolled the paper clay, take the textured roller over the top of the rolled paper clay. Apply some pressure to leave desired imprint.

For using organic dye onto the paper clay, you can use anything ranging from flowers, berries to grass and leaves. The color of the dye should reflect the product you would be using. It is quite simple to dye the paper clay. All you need to do is to apply the dye product onto the wet paper clay. The last step is of wrapping the strip around the pillar candle. You can use some scrap ribbon for that purpose. Let it air dry for a while and then replace the scarp ribbon with your favorite decorative ribbon or dried natural vine. Now you are all set to use your striking organic pillar candle centerpiece.

As the name suggests, container candles are kept and sold in containers like tins and jars. The most appealing feature of these candles is that they are designed to be stored inside the container only. It is also burned inside its original location. Molded directly inside the containers, these candles have always been popular because of several reasons. It not only looks aesthetic but also provides a touch of safety. Every famous candle store shop carries variety of plain and colorful container candles. You can also make these popular candles at home with the help of required material and different containers.

Container candles can appear very pleasant and aesthetic. Available in wide variety of packaging including, metal, glass and wood etc, the container candles can be seen in different designer containers also. You just have to look for your favorite style and you will find tall, short, narrow or wide containers. Some fanciful shapes like stars or leaves are also available that make these candles beautiful works of art. If you are looking for scented candles then you will find plenty of scented container candles. Such candles come with lids that help in keeping the scent under the wraps. Only when people are going to light the candles then the lids are removed. Transporting scented container candles also becomes easy because of lids.

With changing times, candle companies are also experimenting with new packaging materials. Some environment friendly companies are making beautiful containers made from recycled materials which actually eliminate the packaging needs. These recycled containers can be further re-used for other things. They can also be used as molds for new candles. The container candles are designed in such a self-contained way that they are safer to burn. The container is able to handle the heat of the burning. Container candles are definitely the first choice for people who want to burn candles as safely as possible.