Candle Making Recipes & Instructions
Pillar Candles
By Cindy Novack
Pillars are great to make and so versatile! There are a lot of different shaped molds on the market and pillars can be painted or decorated in many different ways. This project was reprinted with permission from Candles and Supplies.com |
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You will need:
Pillar molds
Braided wick
Votive/pillar wax
Coloring
Scent
A melting pot for the wax
A thermometer
A pot for water (to double boil the wax)
A stove or hot plate
A suitable work area
Step 1
Prepare your work area - gather your materials - fill the bottom
part of your double boiler with water and place on the stove.
Step 2
Put all of the hassle free wax in your melting pot. Clip your thermometer
on the side of the melting pot. Put the melting pot in the double
boiler and start heating. Add water to the bottom of the double
boiler if necessary while heating the wax. Take care not to get
any water in your mold or wax - it will ruin your candle.
Step 3
Place the braided wick through the hole in the mold and leave about
1” of wick outside the mold. Seal the hole on the outside of
the mold with a piece of masking tape large enough to cover the
wick and the hole to prevent the wax from leaking out. You may also
use rubber plugs or a wick pin to seal the mold. Attach the other
end of the wick by tying or clipping it to a pencil at the open
end of the mold. Be sure the pencil (or wooden dowel) is large enough
to lay on top of the mold and not fall in. Adjust the pencil so
that the wick is in the center of the mold. When wax reaches 180
degrees you are ready to add the scent. If you do not want highly
scented candles do not add the whole bottle, only add the amount
that you want. Stir the wax with your thermometer to mix in the
scent.
Step 4
Pour the wax into the mold slowly and evenly in the mold. Save the
leftover wax in the pot for later. Gently tap the sides of the mold,
and allow 45 seconds for the air bubbles to rise.
Step 5
As the wax cools, it shrinks and creates a “pit” around
the wick - this is normal. When the outside of your mold feels cool
and there is a pit around the wick you are ready to “top off”
the candles. Reheat the leftover wax to 180 degrees again and pour
enough wax in the mold to fill the “pit” and create a
nice smooth bottom on your candle.
Step 6
Allow the candle to cool fully before attempting to remove from
the mold. If the candle does not easily slide out of the mold, tap
it gently on the counter or place it in a refrigerator for five
to ten minutes then try removing it from the mold again. Never pry
or scrape the wax out of the mold.
Step7
Enjoy your candles! Watch them burn and enjoy the fragrance that
you picked. Handmade candles also make great gifts. Your friends
will enjoy receiving something that’s handmade and if the directions
are followed properly you will have made candles that are a better
quality than what you can buy in most stores!
I hope that you have had fun making your candles - I know I enjoy making candles more than just about anything! If you have any questions or need any supplies, feel free to contact me at any time!
Keep in touch too! I would love to hear how your candles turned out.
Happy candle making!
Your friend,
Cindy Novack