A History of Candles
One of the first needs that early man had was how to light up the darkness. Once fire was a part of life, the next step was to find a way to carry it to where he wanted it so he would have warmth and light. Crude resin torches were the first attempt at portable light.
It is believed that the Egyptians made the first candles by dipping dry reeds into melted animal fat and lighting them. Egyptologists have found early candle holders, and the Bible contains several references to candles. Early Romans used candles in religious ceremonies as well as for light in their homes and public places. Both torches and lamps using tallow and papyrus wicks were used. Early candles made with twisted cords of dried flax fibers or thin sticks as wicks were made with pitch, tar, or animal fats for a fuel. Resinous woods were prized as wicks, but reeds and grasses could be used as well.
The early Chinese and Japanese made candles in paper tubes with wax from various tree seeds and fruits. They made the wicks with rolled rice paper. Similarly, in India, cinnamon bark was boiled to make a wax. In the North American northwest, dried eulachon (a small oily fish) was held in a forked stick and lit for light. It seems each culture was able to make use of whatever they could to find a way to light up their dwellings.
In Europe, beeswax was found to make good candles, but the wax was scarce and so, expensive. Beeswax candles were used mainly by the very rich and in religious centers. The general population made their candles from the tallow of farm animals, with sheep tallow being the most desirable.
Early colonial Americans made their own candles for lighting their homes. They used tallow from their slaughtered animals, or from hunted animals such as bear, deer or moose. These candles gave a poor light, and smelled bad, and did not stand up well in hot weather, but were all that was available until the discovery of bayberries. These waxy berries were used to make a sweet smelling wax. Unfortunately, it took a lot of berries to make enough wax, so bayberry wax was used for special occasion candles. With the advent of the whaling industry in America, spermaceti from sperm whales was used to make candles that were harder and gave a better light.
Candles remained the main source of light for homes until the mid 1800’s when kerosene was distilled from coal. Today, the candle still holds an important place in our life. Special celebrations and romantic dinners call for candlelight. Aromatic candles add soothing scents to our homes, and unique and beautifully crafted candles make creative centerpieces for our tables.
Candle Making Supplies – A Guide
Whether you desire to make candles for your own home enjoyment, to give away as gifts to family and close friends, or to begin a small home business, you will need the same basic candle making supplies. Candles are made with two absolutely essential components – a wick and some wax. A third component that is necessary is a holder or mold for the candle.
Lets look at wax first. Do you want the simple and easy candle of paraffin wax or the natural purity and honey scent of beeswax? Paraffin is still the most available and least expensive type of wax used in candle making. It adapts to many candle types, is easy to work with and is fast cooling. Beeswax is more difficult to use, must be heated slowly, and used an extra thick wick. It is also more expensive as it is less available. A third wax, developed in 1991, that is becoming increasingly popular is soy wax, made from hydrogenated soybean oil. This eco-friendly wax emits less soot than paraffin, and burns more slowly.
The second essential component, the wick, can be purchased in several sizes and lengths, either primed (wax coated) or unprimed. Wick size refers to the diameter of the finished candle, based on paraffin candles. For example the wick size “one inch” would be used for a one inch diameter candle. Wicks are made from braided cotton fiber and some have a core of paper or metal wire, for support. Choosing the correct wick size is essential, and you will need to do some experimenting with waxes other than paraffin to make sure your candle burns properly.
Your candle making supplies will include certain necessary equipment. A double boiler can be used to melt the wax. A good candy thermometer is needed to determine the right pouring temperature. To give your candle shape, you will need molds. Many mold styles and shapes are available, or you can use materials such as cans, empty jars or juice containers. Your mold must be shaped to easily release the candle once it has cooled. You can also make container candles, where the candle remains in the container.
Most candle makers also consider color and scent as essential supplies. They will allow you to make unique and beautiful candles. Any wax soluble substance can color a candle, from wax crayons to mineral pigments. However, ready made dye disks are the most reliable and convenient. These are available in a complete array of colors, and you can custom-color your wax by using them in combination.
Scent is the finishing touch to any candle. It can change the room’s atmosphere, mask bad smells, or even repel bugs outdoors. Candle making suppliers offer a wide range of oil-based perfumes, in many fragrances. You can also use essential oils, and make your own aromatherapy candles. Never use alcohol based scents, as the alcohol will not mix into the wax, and your candle will not burn correctly.
The basic supplies you will need to make candles at home can be purchased for under $100, and for that amount you will be able to make several unique and individual candles. Decide which waxes and other supplies you want to use, invest in a good reference book or a candle making class, and go ahead and enjoy your candle making!
How to Use Candle Wax Crystals
Candle wax crystals are granules of wax that may be natural, pre-colored or pre-scented. The crystals are made from paraffin or other types of wax, often with hardeners, that has been compressed into small beads or crystals. These crystals have a glass-like surface, reflecting light so they sparkle and glisten.
Making a candle from candle wax crystals is an easy project with great results. It is also a very good one to do with children, since no hot wax is involved.The crystals or wax beads can be used in two ways – either melted down and used as you would any liquified candle wax, or used as-is to make candles without heat. Using them as-is is a quick and easy way to make candles.
You can easily make your own unique and attractive candle with these shiny little beads of wax. Here’s a quick project to make a Christmas or other special candle for your table. You will need the wax crystals in different Christmas colors, a clear glass container at least three inches in diameter, and pre-waxed wicks with a tab or sustainer (metal base) attached.
First, make sure your container is clean and dry. Place the wick in the middle of the bowl or jar. Open a bag of white wax crystals, and carefully pour a layer into the container to make the bottom layer of your candle. Level the crystals by gently shaking the container.
Now, in the same way, add a second layer of wax crystals, this time red. Smooth the layer with a spoon or spatula, being careful not to get the wick off center. Add more layers, perhaps alternating white, red and green wax crystals, smoothing each layer carefully. Stop when the crystals are within a quarter inch of the top of the container. Trim the wick to a quarter inch, and you are all done!
With wax crystals, it is easy to make a larger multi-wicked candle. You will need a larger container, and when you set the wicks in place, make sure they are at least three inches apart. This way, each wick will have its own puddle of wax melt, and the candle will burn properly. Add the wax crystals as before, and you’re all done.
As crystal wax candles burn, they make a puddle of wax where the wick melts the wax. The surrounding wax crystals may not be melted, since it’s too far from the flame. Once the wick has burned down, and the candle completely cooled, remove the remaining bit of wick and sustainer, and the solidified wax around it. Then you can simply insert another wick, top
up the wax crystals, and re-light the candle.
Make a Simple Rolled Beeswax Candle
Beeswax is one of the oldest materials used in candle making, and also one of the easiest to use. It is sold in either block form, for melting or in sheets with a honeycomb appearance. You can easily make a variety of beautiful honey-scented candles without even melting the wax with beeswax sheets! Another bonus of using beeswax sheets is that they are available natural, bleached or a variety of colors.
When using beeswax sheets, work in a warm room, so the sheets are pliable. They are quite fragile when cold. If your work space is too cool, you risk having the sheets crack or break; or they will not adhere to one another. You can use a hair dryer to warm sheets of beeswax if necessary.
Start by making a simple beeswax taper.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 beeswax sheets (sheets are about 8″ x 16″)
- Primed wick appropriate for a 2″ candle
- A sharp knife
- A cutting surface
Lay out one beeswax sheet and cut the wick to about 3/4″ of an inch longer than the wax on both ends (it will be 9 1/2 inches long. Lay the wick along the edge of the sheet with 3/4 of an inch protruding on each end. Start rolling the candle around the wick by bending over about 1/8″ of the wax. Press down firmly so the wax is tight around the wick. This is the only time that you’ll press hard with the beeswax sheets! You don’t want to compress the pretty honeycomb pattern on the wax sheets.
Now, start rolling the candle, keeping the ends of the sheets even. Take your time, working slowly and carefully. Keep rolling until you reach the end.
Butt another sheet of wax along the final edge of the wrapped sheet, press the two gently together, and continue rolling. Form a smooth edge by pressing the final edge down with your thumb or finger nail.
Pick whichever end is the neatest for your candle’s top, and cut the wick off flush with the bottom. Trim the top wick to about 1/2″. Press the bottom of the candle onto a warm iron or pan to seal it. Your long-lasting honey scented candle is ready to place in a candle holder, light and enjoy!
These rolled beeswax candles are so simple to make they make a good project to enjoy with children. You can vary them by using colored sheets, using 2 different colors rolled together, or even several sheets to make a fatter pillar. Remember, that as your candle increases in diameter, you will need to use a larger wick size. Beeswax candles require a wick size approximately double that of a paraffin candle.
Add Fragrance to Your Candle Making
Candlelight can add glamour to the most ordinary surroundings, and by making scented candles, you can transform your home. One of the most important factors people consider when buying or making candles is the fragrance. Most people will choose to buy a candle for its fragrance before they look at shape or color. This is because scents are an important part of our daily experience, often tied to our emotions.
Candle making suppliers have traditionally offered popular scents such as vanilla, cranberry, apple and others. Today, fragrance companies offer thousands of fragrance oils for the home candle maker. The choices are almost unlimited. Some of the top scents today are cinnamon, gardenia, eucalyptus, honeysuckle and jasmine. In choosing a fragrance, if you can’t find just the one you want, you can mix and match to make your own unique signature fragrance oil.
Many standard fragrances have been altered or enhanced, so new fragrances such as French Vanilla, or Warm Vanilla Sugar instead of plain vanilla are available. Others fruity scents are blended with rich spicy aromas, bringing memories of delicious aromas of baking in Mom’s kitchen.
Candle making fragrances are essential oils, with an oil base rather than an alcohol base. This is because alcohol based fragrances will not mix into waxes. Handle fragrance oils carefully, as you may have a reaction if they come into contact with your skin. If so, wash the area immediately with warm soapy water.
You will find that fragrance oils are sold either by volume or weight. Different oils will have different weights by volume, so if you buy by weight you may get different quantities of oil for each fragrance. When using the oils, use up to 5% for best results. If you want a highly scented candle, then you can use up to 8% fragrance in a paraffin based candle.
Soy waxes are more difficult to scent than paraffin waxes. They do not throw as much scent as the candle burns, and soy wax is not capable of holding as much fragrance oil. You can achieve better scent in your soy candles by adding palm stearic to the wax. Many fragrance companies are working on developing scents just for soy wax, to improve the scent throw of soy candles.
Aromatherapy candles are another popular type of fragranced candle – an easy, efficient way to take advantage of aromatherapy’s health benefits. Meanwhile, you have the added benefit of a pleasing fragrance and decorative touch in your home. Among the benefits of aromatherapy scents are alleviated chronic pains and injuries, prevention of anxiety and depression, and bolstering of the immune system. Enhance your candle collection as well as your health with aromatherapy candles.
A Guide to Candle Making Molds
Candle making molds can be as simple as a cookie cutter or empty milk carton or as complex as a latex mold shaped like a branching Christmas tree. Molds are simply containers with the purpose of holding candle wax in a shape until the wax cools. The candle is then removed from the mold. Commercially available candle molds are made of a variety of materials, such as plastic, aluminum, latex and silicone.
Your best choice for a long lasting candle making mold is one made from aluminum. These are durable, reusable, and impervious to heat. Your finished candle will be smooth and seam-free. They can be bought in a variety of shapes and sizes, from simple pillars to more complex tapered and shaped containers. Metal molds are open at one end, and the closed end will have a hole for the wick. If you plan to make many candles in one particular shape, then metal molds are your best bet.
Because the wax does tend to stick, spray metal candle molds with a silicone mold release spray. It is also possible to use a thin film of cooking oil spray. Clean your metal molds by inverting them onto a baking tray and putting them into a warm oven. Any wax residue will melt and run out onto the tray. To prevent the metal molds from rusting and eventually leaking or cracking, spray a light coating of the same silicone on the inside and outside of the molds before you store them.
Beginning candle makers will often choose plastic molds because they are relatively inexpensive. These molds are rigid and do not bend easily, so are more likely to crack if dropped. Because they are more brittle, they will probably have a shorter lifespan than metal, but like aluminum molds, they are reusable. You can also find plastic novelty candle molds made in two pieces. These will show a seam where the two pieces come together, so the candle will require some finishing. Cleaning plastic molds is simple – just use soap and hot water.
Rubber or silicone candle molds are more flexible and give you the added benefit of more intricate designs and shapes. As the candle cools watch closely, as it may distort because of the flexibility of the mold. Rubber molds do begin to break down over time. They are desirable for the different designs possibilities they offer and the ease in which the candle can be removed from the mold. They leave an attractive matte finish on the candle. Do not use mold release with these, or fragranced wax. These are the most expensive type of mold.
If you are not yet ready to invest in candle making molds, then your kitchen already has some alternatives for you. You can use a muffin tray for a mold. Cookie or biscuit cutters set on a baking sheet make small candles in interesting shapes. You can also use clean frozen juice cans (the cardboard type) as a molds,as well milk cartons, card board egg containers and various empty cans with straight sides. Just remember that plain cardboard will absorb wax, so use cartons with a wax or plastic finish.
As candles are released from home made molds, they may have wrinkles or surface imperfections. You can easily improve their appearance and make them attractive. Hold the candle by the wick with a pair of pliers and dip it in hot water. The surface will melt just enough to give candles a hand made appearance. You can also dip them in a different color melted wax or pour colored melted wax over them for surface embellishment. Use your imagination, and with the right mold and wax, you will have candles to be proud of.
