Homemade wax candles. DIY decorative candles (95 photos)

• 1. A little about the benefits
• 2. Possible types of processing
• 3. What you need to know about wax and safety
• 4. Tools and everything you need
• 5. How to make your first candle

Together with honey, bees bring a little turmoil into our lives and pleasant troubles. After all, an apiary requires work, time and attention. Often, having an apiary is so exciting that any creative beekeeper also becomes a craftsman. Candles from beeswax– what could be more pleasant when dank? winter evening. They will make life brighter, saturate the air with summer aromas and warmth, and handmade ones will not only be an excellent gift for loved ones, but also a good reserve for the budget.

A little about the benefits

Convincing the beekeeper of the benefits of his own products is perhaps unnecessary. However, not everyone knows why beeswax candles are preferable to, for example, paraffin candles. Last when burning:

• release carcinogens into the air;
• promote the formation of soot;
• industrial unnatural wicks may emit toxic fumes;
• when using dyes and flavors, they become a source of health problems.

Is it possible to compare all these side effects, which can cause not only allergies, but also more serious diseases, for example, lungs and mucous membranes, with the possibility of using wax.

After all, when wax burns:

• no soot is formed;
• in the absence of additives, the candle burns for a long time and burns out completely, without residue;
• More than 50 essential compounds and substances are released into the air;
• We must not forget about propolis impurities in the composition of unrefined wax: this is how it directly enters the lungs.

In addition, natural raw materials are a guarantee of interest from urban residents. Megacities and urbanization contribute to enormous interest in origins. And such a craft has existed as long as beekeeping.

Possible types of processing

In fact, there are several ways to make candles. Each of them is good in its own way and resonates with potential users:

• the easiest and requires virtually no additional processing: A sheet of foundation is simply rolled around the wick. There are not many opportunities for creativity, but this method is one of the oldest;
• to use the second one you will need a minimum heat treatment: The wick is dipped into a container of liquid wax, increasing the volume of the candle over and over again. It is clear that there is no question of the form meeting modern requirements - this is a purely utilitarian thing;
• pouring into molds. Perhaps this method provides a lot of opportunities for realizing ideas. Even if you pour the wax into a simple cylindrical mold and then cut out the designs, it will still be a molded candle.

Casting into molds has a huge potential for creative person: You can purchase any of them of your choice, or you can create them yourself.

What you need to know about wax and safety

Before you start executing the plan for your own candle factory, you should familiarize yourself with the physical properties of wax:

1. Melting building material from beehives when the temperature rises to 60-70 degrees.
2. At 100 degrees, you will understand whether there is water in the raw material - it boils and forms a kind of foam.
3. The foundation will begin to steam or smoke at 120 degrees.
4. At 204 degrees you need to be extremely careful: its vapors ignite.

These are characteristics common to each type of raw material. Meanwhile, it can also be different:

• technical or production. Actually, this is a mixture of wax with additions, sometimes they are paraffin, such raw materials have already been subjected to industrial processing;
• raw or apiary has the most natural origin. It is obtained directly from honeycombs using wax melters or melting pots. It can be conditioned, provided that the bees have not had any diseases or excessive chemical treatments, or vice versa – substandard;
• bleached. This is a natural, natural building material of bees, only without the inevitable impurities in the composition. Otherwise it is called cosmetic.

When working with it there are rules that must be followed:

1. The slower the wax heats up, the easier it is to work with. When heating, it is recommended to use water bath. This is the easiest way to regulate the temperature. The process needs constant monitoring: you cannot leave.
2. It is necessary to completely avoid contact with water: it is dangerous. Hot wax will cause rapid evaporation and splashing of boiling water.
3. Flammable materials must be extinguished using dry methods: limiting the access of air.
4. When working, you must avoid contact with open flame: an accidental drop can cause a fire.

It would not be amiss to remind you that children and animals work area No entry allowed. This way you will create a risk of injury for them with your own hands.

Tools and everything you need

In addition to wax, you need to stock up on some equipment. At first, it is enough ordinary dishes and accessories found in the house, and then you may need your own workplace. So, you need:

• gloves, sleeves and apron - it is unlikely that you will be able to never drip on your clothes;
• a table, constant access to water, a stove for heating and a hairdryer for leveling surfaces;
• cutting board, hammer, knives and chisel for grinding wax, scissors for wick;
• two containers for a water bath: a large diameter for water, pebbles or a metal stand for hot water are placed on its bottom, and a saucepan of a smaller diameter is placed on top for melting wax. It must be either enameled or ceramic: otherwise the wax darkens;
• napkins. Preferably paper, not textile, there should be a lot of them. At first, without skill, they help out well;
• nylon for filtration;
• natural wick: from 1 to 4 mm. The choice is proportional to the diameter of the future candle;
• wire for fixing the wick.

And most importantly: forms. They come in aluminum, polycarbonate and polyurethane. The first two materials provide reusability and heat resistance, but are inelastic, which means they don’t leave much room for creativity. The latter assumes safe use at temperature conditions up to 80 degrees, then becomes toxic.

The most common are silicone. They imply accessibility and huge selection, high temperature of use (up to 200 degrees), elasticity, and even if they are short-lived, will help you make up to 200 candles. Subsequently, you can even make it yourself. There is a trick to using any split mold - you need rubber bands: while the wax hardens, the halves need to be firmly fixed.

How to make your first candle

We must immediately warn you: the first one may not become a candle in the literal sense of the word. You may not have enough patience or skill, but you need to prepare for the fact that you will have to redo it and not give up if it fails.

The process can be represented in several stages. Their sequence in the future depends on your experience:

1. Preparing the mold and filling the wick. To do this, there is a hole in the bottom - the future wick is tucked into it. If it is much smaller in diameter, then you can use a small piece of a toothpick - this way there will definitely be no wax leakage. Then the form is tightly fixed in several places with rubber bands. And the end of the wick is brought right into the center of the mold and secured there with a wire loop.
2. Preparation of wax: it must be crushed. If the volume of the mold is, for example, 1 glass, then you will need approximately 250 g of wax. It is easy to determine - just first measure the volume of the mold with water, its ratio to wax is almost the same. The required volume of wax can be immediately placed in a water bath and started heating, or it can be added as it melts.
3. When the water in the lower pan has boiled, you can begin the process of casting into molds. True, if the wax is unrefined, then it can first be poured through nylon into a separate container and only poured into the molds from there. If filtration is required, the process must be quick so that the wax does not form clumps.
4. When the molds are filled to the edges, after 10-15 minutes it is necessary to make several control punctures to the bottom of the mold with a knitting needle or wooden stick and these voids are filled additionally.

The wax cools quickly, but you shouldn’t rush the process. Soft and flexible, it may simply not take shape. Therefore, it will be possible to remove beeswax candles after 2-6 hours, depending on the volume of the workpiece.

DIY wax candles

Actually, the bulk of the work has been completed, all that remains is to bring the candle to an acceptable appearance:

1. It is carefully removed, separating the halves of the form in different directions. To do this, you need to remove the rubber bands and wire.
2. Cut the wick completely off the base.
3. Level the base over a hairdryer or at the bottom of a water bath.
4. Leave the wick itself approximately 1 cm long on top. For convenience and beauty, it can be dipped in wax.

That's the whole process of making a great gift with your own hands. Who knows, maybe this is the beginning new era in the life of a beekeeper and next to some apiary a candle factory will appear.

Candles are an attribute of any holiday. Candles can be found in stores different colors, shapes and sizes. But, unfortunately, it is not always possible to find the “candle of your dreams.” Besides, I want holiday decoration was special. You can realize your original design ideas by making candles with your own hands.

Cinder candles

Collected candle cinders and pieces of paraffin can be melted down into a new candle. To do this you will need a floss thread, a beer can, a juice bag or any other shape, sunflower oil and, of course, the candle stubs themselves. They can even be different colors. In this case, you will get an original “rainbow” candle.

Remove the wicks from the remaining candles, place all the pieces of paraffin in a metal container and place in a water bath.

If you are using white paraffin, but want to make a colored candle, crumble baby wax crayons into a container. To make a candle with a pearlescent tint, add eye shadow to the original material. By adding a few drops of essential oil to melted paraffin, you can make a scented candle.

While the paraffin is melting, prepare the mold for pouring. Lubricate its walls with sunflower oil to make the frozen candle easier to remove.

Make a wick. To do this, twist several strands of floss tightly. The thicker the candle, the more thread is needed for the wick. Soak the wick with melted paraffin. Tie one end of the wick to a pencil and place it on top of the mold. The end of the wick should touch the bottom of the mold. You can additionally fix the wick from below. To do this, pierce a hole in the center of the bottom of the mold, pull the end of the wick through it and secure it by tying a knot on the outside.

Pour about two-thirds of the melted paraffin into the mold and leave overnight. In the morning, when the paraffin hardens, a depression will form in the middle of the candle. Melt the remaining paraffin in a water bath and fill this “crater” with it.

Then leave the candle for another day. When the paraffin has completely hardened, remove the candle from the mold. If sunflower oil does not help and the paraffin still sticks to the walls of the mold, put it in the freezer for 10 minutes or keep it in hot water.

DIY coffee candle

For making coffee candle you will need 5 white ones paraffin candles or several candle stubs, 4-5 tbsp. l. coffee beans, beer can, juice box or other shape, pencil, knife, sunflower oil, floss, small saucepan or bowl.

First, chop the candles with a knife and remove the wicks from them.

Melt the pieces of paraffin in a water bath.

While the paraffin is melting, prepare the mold and wick in the same way as described above.

When the paraffin melts, without removing the saucepan from the water bath, add coffee beans, and after 10 minutes, remove them and place them on the bottom of the mold, filling it almost halfway.

Pour over coffee beans a small amount paraffin so that they do not float, and cool slightly.

When this layer of paraffin has hardened, melt the remaining paraffin and fill the mold to the top. When the candle has hardened, remove it from the mold.

Hold the layer of grains over the fire for a few seconds so that the paraffin melts slightly and the grains become more noticeable.

DIY fruit candle

To make a fruit candle you will need a lemon, orange, grapefruit or any other citrus fruit with a thick peel, several white or yellow candles, floss, a small pan or bowl, and a pencil.

Cut the fruit in half and carefully remove the pulp, being careful not to damage the peel. The peel halves will serve as candle holders. Twist several strands of floss into a rope and soak them in paraffin or remove the wick from the candle. Tie one end of the wick to a pencil and place it on top of the peel half. Make a hole in the bottom of the peel, pull the lower end of the wick through it and tie it with a knot on the outside.

Chop the candles with a knife, remove the wicks from them, and melt the pieces of paraffin in a water bath. Pour melted paraffin over the peel halves and leave until hardened.

Pictures for candles

Even the most a simple candle You can turn it into a festive one in 5 minutes. To do this, you will need a thick candle, paper napkins with a pattern, scissors and a teaspoon or tablespoon.

Carefully cut out a picture from a napkin that you would like to decorate the candle with. Please note that such napkins are usually multi-layered, but you will only need one, top layer with a drawing. You can cut out one design or several, gluing them around the entire circumference of the candle.

Lightly heat a spoon over an open flame.

Attach the design to the candle and gently smooth it with a warm spoon, moving from the center to the edges of the picture.

And if you choose a picture of Santa Claus as the plot, you will get such a beautiful New Year’s candle, which New Year's interior will decorate and be good New Year's gift .

DIY gel candle

Transparent gel candles look very unusual. In addition to their external beauty, they have another advantage: the gel burns slower than paraffin. In general, the manufacturing principle gel candle the same as paraffin. However, there are a number of features.

To make a gel candle, pour 5 parts of colorless gelatin with 20 parts of water. After 30-40 minutes, add 25 parts of glycerin to the swollen gelatin. Place the mixture over low heat and heat until a clear solution is obtained. Separately, take 10 parts of glycerin, heat it and dissolve 2 parts of tannin in it. Mix both solutions. You will end up with a cloudy solution. Heat it for some more time until it becomes transparent. Please note that the gel cannot be heated to temperatures above 120 °C, as in this case the oil part will begin to decompose, the gel will turn out cloudy and will smell unpleasant. Try to stir the gel as little as possible, otherwise bubbles will form in it. If bubbles still appear, place the candle on a well-lit windowsill. The gel will warm up and the bubbles will disappear.

Pour the finished gel into glass mold with wick.

As a form, you can use any beautiful glass vessel with not too thin walls. Wash it thoroughly, dry it and heat it in the oven. This is done to reduce the temperature difference between the gel and the walls of the vessel. If this difference is too large, bubbles will form near the walls of the mold. In addition, temperature changes can cause glass to burst.

The wick is made and attached in the same way as for paraffin candles. Of course, it is impossible to pierce a glass vessel, so the lower end of the wick is glued to the bottom with glue.

The gel is poured along the walls of the mold. Do not pour it in a stream under any circumstances.

You can make an original candle by placing it in bottom part forms of non-combustible materials: pebbles, shells, beads. The decorations are poured into an empty mold without a wick, filled with gel and left. When the gel hardens, a hole is pierced with a knitting needle and the lower part of the wick is inserted there. The top one is attached to the pencil as usual. Then the mold is filled with the remaining gel to the brim.

Candle as a source lighting, has been used by humans since the 3rd millennium BC. It was expensive, and only a wealthy family could buy it. Today the candle does not have its former value, and in interior used for decor or aromatherapy. And the candles made with your own hands, is also a wonderful hobby, an excellent option for a gift.

From what materials and how to make a candle at home Houses– read our article.

Wax candle - step-by-step master class

To make a candle you will need:

• wax or paraffin (suitable household candles);
• cotton thread or floss;
• water bath pan;
• molds for candles (tin, glass or plastic);
• wooden sticks for attaching wicks (1 candle mold = 1 stick).

Advice! If this is your first time deciding to make a candle with your own hands, ask someone close to you to help you. The wax hardens within 15 minutes, so you need to act quickly.

Place a cotton thread in the center of each candle mold. Secure the upper edge of the thread to a wooden stick.

Place a container of wax (paraffin) in a water bath. To speed up the melting process, you can cut it into small pieces or grate it. Melt the wax over low heat, stirring constantly. The finished consistency should be uniform, without lumps or pieces of paraffin.

Pour some melted wax into the bottom of the mold. This will fix the bottom edge of the wick in the right place. If necessary, adjust its position. Wait about a minute for the wax to thicken and the wick to set before moving on to the next step.

Fill the mold with the remaining melted wax.

A day later, after the candle has completely cooled and hardened, trim off the excess edge of the wick.

Note! The cooled candle does not have to be left in the jar - after making it, it can be removed from the mold. Before starting work, select a container for filling with a straight, even edge that is not narrowed at the top. You can also use plastic cups, ice molds or homemade tetra pack templates.

Colored and scented candles

Having understood the essence of manufacturing, you can diversify the variations and create more complex homemade candles with your own hands.

To make a colored candle, place pieces of wax crayons in a melting container along with paraffin. The shade of the finished candle will match blossom added pencil. The combination of several multi-colored pencils will paint the candle in a bright rainbow print.

Idea! Consistently melt and pour wax of different colors into the mold in layers - you will get an original striped candle.

Use in making essential oils- and you will succeed scented candle with your own hands. To add scent to the candle, add a few drops of oil to the melted wax before pouring the mold.

Oil combination lavender and bergamot has a relaxing effect, and lemon and rosemary eliminate negative thoughts. For peace of mind and for peace of mind, add one part of oils to the wax geraniums And roses and two parts lavender oil. The combination of orange and clove oils lifts your spirits, while lemon and cedar oil relieves stress.

Transparent gel candles at home

At home, you can create another type of candle - a gel candle. Its manufacturing technology is the same as that of paraffin. The difference is that the mold is filled not with wax, but with a special candle gel.

Gel for making candles – transparent. This makes it possible to create incredible beautiful products. Inside the candle you can place shells, beads, stones, glass beads, beads, buttons, twigs flowers, and even candied fruits or pieces of fruit.

Advice! You can choose the location of the decor inside the candle yourself. Elements lowered to the bottom before filling with gel will remain on the bottom, and those added to an already filled form will “hang” or remain on the surface.

The mold for a gel candle must be transparent (glass or plastic) - otherwise the beauty created inside will not be visible. Special gel dyes will help give a color tint. IN this type You can also add aromatic essential oils to candles.

Advice! Before pouring the melted gel, heat the prepared mold. This will prevent the formation of bubbles.

“Delicious” candles – fruit and coffee

You will surely enjoy making candles at home and will definitely want to create something creative and extraordinary. Candles made from fruit peels - oranges, limes, grapefruits - look interesting and unusual. Candles created with the addition of coffee beans. Be creative and experiment, and a couple of our ideas will help you with this.

Candle made from half a lemon

Required materials:

• wax or paraffin;
• four cotton wicks;
• water bath pan;
• container for melting wax;
• two lemons;
• purple food coloring;
• lavender essential oil;
• dried lavender flowers.

Cut the lemons lengthwise into two pieces. Carefully remove the pulp.

Melt the wax in a water bath. Add lavender flowers, essential oil and food coloring to it, stir.

Place a wick in the center of the lemon half. Fill the “fruit candle holder” with melted wax.

Place the finished candles in a cool place until they cool and harden completely.

Important! Do not refrigerate candles refrigerator– the wax may harden unevenly!

Candles with coffee beans

Option 1

The easiest way to create a coffee candle is to add coffee beans to melted wax, or pour them into an already poured mold.

To do this, you will need all the same materials as for a regular candle, plus coffee beans.

Coffee beans vary in shape and size and, when added to wax, they also harden differently. Therefore, each candle you create will have unique design.

Option 2

Another manufacturing option would be to decorate the finished candle with coffee beans.

For this, in addition to coffee beans, you will need glue.

Advice! Coffee beans can be glued without glue - on still hot soft wax. To do this, carefully remove the uncooled and unhardened candle from the mold and “cover” it with coffee beans, lightly pressing them with your fingers.

Candle decorated with coffee beans

You are on the verge of an amazing discovery in the world of candles.

In order not to throw a bunch of materials for making candles into the trash, you first need to study their properties.

• How to save your time?
• How to protect yourself from beginner mistakes?
• How to save on materials and not throw away money spent on materials and their delivery?
• Want to learn how to make candles yourself?
• Do you want a new hobby that you can make money from?
• Then read the article to the end!

From a variety of materials for creating candles, it is not easy to choose the ones you need. There are a huge number of articles on candle making on the Internet, and, to put it mildly, not all of them are true. Often online stores that sell materials for candles (or for soap and candles) sell them and give incorrect advice or are simply trying to sell you more ( to put it simply, earn money from you).

It is necessary to take into account the properties of each material and separate the necessary from the unimportant.

Candle maker's work table

Your workbench, where you will make candles, should be protected from paraffin, dyes and everything else with which you will create.

The table needs to be covered.

It could be old newspaper and a magazine divided into sheets, plastic, old cut bags.

It is very convenient to use silicone baking mats (blue and red are mine).

Of course, before starting work, put on an apron or clothing that you don’t mind. If paraffin drips onto clothing, then original appearance it will be almost impossible to get her back.

Why is a silicone mat so good?

Drops of paraffin that fall past the mold easily come away from it.

It is easy to clean.

Easy to fold, roll and put away.

It is soft and pleasant to the touch.

Water bath device

The very first thing you can’t do without is water bath.

All candles are made from candle mass melted at water bath, otherwise there is no way to melt it. No way! Under no circumstances should candle mass be melted in a microwave, double boiler, or slow cooker...

Otherwise, the paraffin will instantly overheat and ignite!

If you don’t want a fire, then strictly follow these tips.

Water bath only!

What is a water bath?

You will need an old metal saucepan (you will not use it anywhere else) and a smaller ladle, preferably with a long handle.

Water is heated and boiled in a saucepan, heating the candle mass in the ladle. Gradually the mass melts. In this way, paraffin will never reach the boiling point. This means that harmful fumes will not be released into the air you breathe.

Make sure that the melted candle mass does not drip onto the stove.

When paraffin comes into contact with a hot object (or when boiling), it evaporates, releasing harmful fumes. Don't be confused! When melted in a water bath, paraffin does not release anything!

My saucepans look like these two photos. I purchased one ladle from a specialized online store in the USA, and the second I bought secondhand. More convenient with plastic handle, because doesn't heat up.

Food grade paraffin (P-2)

Why is paraffin called food paraffin? It is used in food industry, for example, in coating cheeses to slow down the spoilage of the product.

Paraffin comes in shavings (loose, photo on the left), and comes in lumps (below in the photo). Buying paraffin in briquettes (in sheets) is cheaper.

• Paraffin is a product of petroleum distillation.
• Substance white crystalline structure, in the molten state it has low viscosity.
• Melting point t pl = 40-65 °C.
• Density 0.880-0.915 g/cm³ (15 °C).

Pay attention when purchasing paraffin to its markings. There is also technical paraffin (marked T), which contains a high percentage of technical oils, from which food paraffin is maximally purified!

It is cheaper to buy paraffin in briquettes, but in this case you will have to buy 5 briquettes in a bag, and each factory makes about 5 kg. I’m already used to it and buy paraffin in bulk, 25-45 kg each.

At retail, paraffin is most often sold in shavings (flakes), since it is easier for the seller to pour it and weigh it.

What else is needed, besides paraffin, for candles?

Candles can only be made from paraffin. Then you get the same effect as in the photo. After the candle hardens, the surface turns out to be with bubbles, streaks, or “snowy” - whatever they say - that is, non-uniform.

• This is due to the fact that paraffin requires a so-called “plasticizer”, because paraffin hardens unevenly.

The snowy effect is great for holiday candles!

What to do if we want to avoid this effect, we will discuss further.

In the meantime, take a look at how you can use the effect!

An important property of paraffin is shrinkage

Due to the fact that paraffin molecules have a weak bond, there is no surface tension, such as that of water, or, for example, a molten soap base. It's weak. Thus, when the paraffin hardens, firstly, it settles, and secondly, a funnel is formed, as in the photo.

• How to remove this funnel?- most frequently asked question. Don't be alarmed when you see a funnel and don't think it's your fault. This funnel always appears. It's important to just hide it. But how?

During the process of hardening the paraffin, it is necessary to pierce the hardening surface with a long knitting needle or stick to remove excess air and open the voids.

And then top up.

This way the funnel can be hidden.

Stearin

Remember we talked about the “snowiness” effect? It can be removed. Stearin can serve as a plasticizer, a binder for paraffin molecules.

That is, if you put paraffin and a little stearin in a water bath, the snowflake effect will disappear and the color will be even.

Stearin is used in the production of candles as an additive to paraffin (10-20%) or in its pure form.

Solid, translucent mass, greasy to the touch.

• Melting point t pl 53-65°C.
• Density 0.92 g/cm 3 (20°C).

Stearin candles burn evenly and do not melt; they do not change their shape when exposed to heat.

But making candles from pure stearin is quite expensive. Therefore, it is better to have stearin and add it to paraffin so that the candle mass shrinks less and so that the candle “flows” less.

Formula for making candles from paraffin and stearin:

• 80% paraffin + 20% stearin. Try it!

Natural beeswax*

*For adherents of everything natural, there is the opportunity to make candles from beeswax, soybean (etc.) wax.

When I purchased a natural large briquette of natural beeswax, I fell in love with this material at first sight! Why do we need all these artificial flavors when we have the most delicious honey beeswax? Ehhhh...

Beeswax is a waste product of bees. Registered as food additives E-901.

Secreted by special glands honey bees, from it bees build honeycombs.

White solid (with slight yellow tint) to a yellow-brown color with a characteristic honey smell.

Has strong bactericidal properties.

At a temperature of 35 °C the wax becomes plastic.

Melts at a temperature of 62-68 °C.

I pour this wax into small silicone molds (I will show these forms later). The candles are small in weight, fragrant and beautiful.

By the way, I use a separate bowl to melt the beeswax, because it is difficult to wipe off the wax.

• Beeswax is aromatherapy
• Hardens many times faster than paraffin
• Natural product

But, of course, beeswax - expensive product. It costs 4 times more than paraffin.

Candle molds

When you start making candles, life turns into a constant search for candle molds. Until you acquire professional forms.

My secret weapon there were jars of cotton swabs.

They are not only round shape, but also in the shape of a heart, a flower.

Who said that unprofessional forms are bad candles?

The main thing is that the candle mass, dyes and flavors are at their best. The execution, of course, too :-)

Polycarbonate molds

I purchased these forms in the USA. The forms are convenient because they are transparent.

However, polycarbonate does not last forever and will crack over time.

I recently threw away one mold (it cracked and started leaking) after 4 years of use.

Plastic molds for candles

These forms are stronger and cheaper than polycarbonate.

However, the downside is that they are opaque.

Another difference is that they have a plug (lid) at the base of the form. This is quite convenient when you need to remove a finished candle.

Soft plastic for mini candles

These are the forms (used in making soap).

Using a hot knitting needle, holes are made for the wick, and the mold is ready for making mini candles.

Plastic molds Milkyway Molds

There are also these very interesting plastic forms.

I haven’t seen anything like this in Russia yet.

Molds produced by Milky Way Molds, consisting of two parts. This durable plastic, withstands temperatures of 200º C.

I have these molds, but I don’t make candles out of them... they are too bulky... about 2 kg!

Metal molds(aluminum, steel, etc.)

Metal forms are “forever”. Durable, stable, super, in a word. Molds are made of aluminum, steel, and other metals.

You need to be careful, because... The metal heats up quickly from the poured candle mixture, you can get burned.

The thickness of the mold is 1-3 mm. I really enjoyed pouring candles into metal molds. The candles come out smooth.

Silicone baking molds

You can use silicone baking or ice molds: tall forms in the form of hearts, cupcakes, roses, as well as small molds in the form of fish, stars, etc. as decoration for candles.

Silicone baking molds are flexible, inexpensive, but when the bottom is pierced, they are not so durable (when the candle is removed from the mold, the hole gradually breaks through, and this leads to paraffin leakage when pouring, although this can be solved with paper tape or other secrets, which I talk about in my master classes).

Handmade silicone molds

Silicone molds can be purchased at the store. But there are such unique silicone molds that are not so easy to make, which is why I will tell you about them. I order my silicone molds from a master. These are not all the forms I have.

To make a candle, you need experience.

Make your own silicone mold

According to the preparation technology, silicones can be two-component (the so-called “compounds”): consisting of a base and a catalyst (hardener), which must be mixed in a certain proportion before use, and one-component – ​​ready for use.

To make the mold we need a two-component compound. When both components are mixed, they begin to gradually harden.

Make your own mold from plasticine or take a ready-made one (ball, toy, etc.), place it in a disposable bucket (jar or any other container, secure firmly with glue or tape. Mix the components in the ratio of 100 grams of base and 3.5 - 5 gram of hardener and fill in. After 8-10 hours the mold is ready.

It is better if, when pouring silicone, you simply leave a place where you will later pour wax. Otherwise, you will have to cut the mold and, when pouring wax, strengthen it with rope or rubber bands. The trouble is that hot wax deforms the shape.

But subsequent experiments have shown that the silicone mold is in any case cut lengthwise (or crosswise, which is unimportant for us), because the plasticine master model cannot be removed otherwise.

Be prepared for sudden and unpleasant smell both liquid silicone and frozen form. Be sure to add fragrance to the future candle, otherwise the candle mass will absorb the pungent odor of silicone.

And also do not skimp on the catalyst (it is better to put 1 g more than less). Otherwise, nothing will harden, the mixture will not set, and you will have to take out the master model from liquid, very sticky and unpleasant silicone and fill it all over again (after fiddling with soap and a brush).

This is the candle I got from a homemade one silicone mold, the result and the process did not really delight me, so I decided to order molds from a master. Which is what I still do to this day.

Making your own mold from plaster

In this case, we will make a mold from plaster. First, you need to sculpt the intended future shape from plasticine.

Where the mold is supposed to be socketed, you need to insert the blades of a safety razor into the plasticine, not very deeply. This entire structure is covered with plaster. The blades will help you quickly separate the mold (hardened plaster does not cut and crumbles into small pieces).

These are the mini candles I got.

Wick

You can buy wicks for your future ingenious creations at candle factories or in specialized stores.

But you need to know that there are a huge number of types and sizes of wicks on sale.

It is very important to choose the right wick for a candle.

If the wick is too thick, then the candle flame will be large and the candle will burn too quickly, but if the wick is too thin, then it will burn faster than the paraffin, and the candle will “choke” and go out.

To make the wick, we use natural cotton thread, which does not smoke or crack when burning.

Wicks are usually marked with numbers.

No. 1 - for candles up to 3 cm in diameter,

No. 2 - for candles 3-5 cm in diameter,

No. 3 - for candles 5-6 cm in diameter,

No. 4 - for candles from 6 cm in diameter.

When you get your molds, just ask the manufacturer what wicks are available and buy at least 2-3 different thicknesses, so you will test your candles and understand which ones are better.

Where else can I get a wick?

If you decide not to buy paraffin and stearin yet and make candles from old candles or from store-bought ones, then the wick can be removed from the candles.

The only negative is that the thickness of the wick cannot be selected.

Alternatives to store-bought wicks

• Jute twine
• Cotton thread twisted several times
• Crocheted cotton braid

Dye

The candle mass and wick have been prepared. Great! Now the question arises: how to color candle mass? This is done very simply. When the candle mass has already melted in a water bath, add a piece of dye. I mean a dye intended specifically for candles. I have a huge number of them.

Color intensity depends on the amount of dye.

Keep in mind that the brightness of the color of the molten candle mass always more than cooled wax. Therefore, if it seems that there is enough color, add a little more.

And then it will really be enough! :)

Sometimes there is no opportunity or time to get a special dye. Read the next paragraph to understand what effect each coloring method will give.

How not to color candles

There are many options to make your candle unique. One of them is giving the candle color.

When I first started making candles, there wasn't much on hand as a candle dye.

And most importantly, there was little good and “literate” at hand.

After all, mixing paraffin and dyes is all kinds of chemical reactions, and you have to be with it more careful.

Still, I wanted color. I started with gouache.

Gouache... Bad, very bad.

Fortunately, I don’t have a single candle painted this way.

The fact is that it is almost impossible to paint candle mass with gouache: small particles of gouache settle to the bottom of the kindling, and even if you shake the paint a little when filling the mold with wax, it still settles.The result is a very pale shade, and this makes it cloudy and untidy.

One day I was simply visited by nostalgia (I still wanted to pour, even without normal dyes). And just to chance, I poured EARTH FROM A TANK OF FLOWERS into the melted wax!!! It looked funny, of course, a white candle with something dark visible at the bottom. At first glance, there seem to be no shortcomings.

For recent years the attitude towards candles as a means of illuminating the house in the absence of electricity has completely changed. How to make a candle at home so that this item becomes exquisite decor and emphasized the individuality of the home design?. For many, candle making has become the basis of a small business.

In recent years, the attitude towards candles as a means of lighting a home in the absence of electricity has completely changed

Candle made with my own hands, is a wonderful gift for friends and relatives. It’s very useful to make such a gift for Valentine’s Day for your loved one.

Having seen a beautiful candle in a souvenir shop, many people are eager to make a similar one themselves. Most of those who want to never try it, because they think that it is a difficult task, and without special education They won’t be able to make decorative candles with their own hands.

It turns out that this is not true, and anyone who wants to learn can do it. The main thing is to start, and over time an understanding of the process and mastery will come.

Making candles at home does not require large quantity materials and tools. This allows you to quickly learn candle making, and this activity is not too expensive for the family budget.

For beginner candle makers, you need to purchase the following materials and tools:

• wax, paraffin, candle gel;
• container for melting wax and paraffin;
• natural cotton threads or ready-made candle wicks;
• sticks, at least 2, for stirring the candle base and attaching the wick;
• several molds for candles;
• materials for decoration;
• water bath pan;
• wax crayons;
• water thermometer.

Beeswax can be purchased from beekeepers. Paraffin is sold in craft stores or in the hardware departments of supermarkets. Materials can also be ordered online.

Having seen a beautiful candle in a souvenir shop, many people are eager to make a similar one themselves.

To start making your first candles at home, you can collect paraffin from cinders. Candle gel can be purchased at craft supply stores or it is not difficult to make yourself.

As a mold for candles, use any cups, glasses, various containers made of plastic or metal, any available means that are not deformed by a paraffin or gel base heated to a high temperature.

It is better to start making candles yourself using paraffin. Beeswax – natural material, but it is not suitable for making decorative candles. It cannot be dyed or aromatized.

To tint paraffin, use oil-based paints. Color good quality can be obtained using children's wax crayons. Craft stores sell special pigments in tablets for coloring paraffin. Some craftswomen use lipstick and eye shadow for this purpose.

How to make candles with your own hands (video)

Wax and paraffin candles

To make a neat wax candle with your own hands, you need to correctly carry out the process of melting the base. The same remark can be applied to paraffin candles. The base material melts at high temperatures. You need to adapt well and act quickly, since melted wax and paraffin cool quickly and do not flow well. Due to the high melting points, safety precautions must be followed when working with these bases.

Step-by-step instructions for making candles.

Conventional beeswax is little used for making decorative candles. As noted above, scented and beautifully colored products cannot be made from such wax.

Instead of beeswax, DIY decorative candles are made at home from soy gel. This is the most popular material for the base. It is environmentally friendly and slow burning.

The first stage in the production of candles is preparatory. Everything is purchased and prepared necessary ingredients, tools and devices. A professional master class on the topic, with photographs and descriptions, or a video is selected on the Internet.

Before melting begins, pour warm water into the prepared container. soap solution. It may be needed to collect wax in case of splashing or spilling of the molten mass. Place cardboard and a towel or cloth napkin nearby.

It is strictly forbidden to melt wax directly. This process must be done slowly so that the wax does not burn or evaporate. Therefore, the base is melted in a water bath.

A water bath is constructed from 2 pans. Into container larger size Pour water up to half. Another pan is inserted into it, preferably with handles. It is needed to melt the wax.

The second stage is making the wick. To do this, take a cotton thread. The wick made from colored floss threads looks original.

The type of wick depends on the base material. For wax candles it is made from thick, slightly intertwined threads. For paraffin and gel products, the threads are woven tightly so that the candle does not smoke when burning. A thick wick will cause a candle to burn and smoke very quickly, while a thin wick will burn poorly and go out.

In addition to simple twisting, the threads can be braided or crocheted into a lace. Before pouring the candle, the wick is impregnated with wax or paraffin.

The third stage is choosing a form. How to make a candle at home without special molds? It all depends on the imagination of the craftswoman. The shape for a candle can be any container and packaging that can withstand high temperatures melted wax. Since wax deposits are difficult to remove from dishes, it is better to choose unnecessary consumable containers as molds.

The fourth stage is melting the base material. The melting point of wax candles depends on its type:

• paraffin wax has a melting temperature of +50…+60°C;
• bee – +62…+79°С;
• soy gel can be melted at temperatures not exceeding +80°C.

There are many master classes on the Internet on how to melt wax correctly. You can monitor the melting point using a pastry thermometer or a meat thermometer.

Wax or paraffin is crushed into small pieces, since large pieces take a long time to melt. The grated mass is placed in the upper saucepan of the water bath. When the water in the bottom saucepan boils, reduce the heat slightly to maintain an even melting temperature.

Flavoring is added to the melted wax if it is made scented candles. The mixture is mixed well. Then add dye and mix again.

The fifth stage is wax casting or the actual creation of the candle. The wick is fixed in the center of the mold. Its tip must be secured to wooden stick. It is placed on top of the mold so that the thread is exactly in the middle of the mold. A knot is tied at the free end of the wick. The length of the thread should be such that it rests on the bottom of the container.

Next, pour the wax into the mold and let it cool. If the candle mold has a hole in the bottom, then the wax is poured in several passes. You need to pour the molten base carefully so as not to get burned and not to move the wick to the side.

The poured form is left to cool. The product should be refrigerated for at least 24 hours. Some people try to speed up the cooling process by placing the mold in the freezer. It is better not to do this, as such candles do not burn well. When the material cools naturally, it compacts evenly and maintains high-quality and long-lasting combustion.

Gel candles

To make a gel candle with your own hands, you need to have the following materials:

• gel wax;
• reinforced wick;
• essential oils;
• liquid dyes;
• decorative elements.

Soy gel is a natural, absolutely non-toxic substance. It is used to make decorative and aromatherapy candles. The substance retains essential oils well and releases them better when burned. The smell will be richer and brighter.

Adding essential oils to wax allows you to lower its melting point. Impregnation of the wick with soy gel allows for smooth and clean combustion. When burning, soot and carcinogens are not released, which cannot be said about paraffins, and even more so about stearins.

DIY scented candles (video)

Making gel wax at home

Setting up the production of soy gel candles is not difficult, since the base can be made at home. You can read about how to make soy gel yourself on the forums of craftswomen. hand made. Standard recipe:

• gelatin – 5 g or 1 tsp;
• tannin – 2 g or on the tip of a knife;
• water – 20 ml or 4 tsp;
• glycerin – 35 ml or 1 tbsp. l. and 2 tsp.

Tannin is dissolved in glycerin when heated. Continuing to heat the mixture, gelatin is added to it. The resulting solution should be transparent. The prescribed amount of water is added to it. Stirring, bring the mixture to a boil. When adding water, the solution may become cloudy, but with further boiling it will clear. The mixture is boiled until the water completely evaporates.

The finished gel is poured into a pre-prepared fireproof mold with a wick fixed in it. A gel made by yourself is not inferior in quality to one purchased in a store.

Making aroma candles

If you have the skills to make wax candles at home, then it will not be difficult to solve the problem of how to make a scented candle. Aroma candles homemade have many advantages over store-bought products. The main advantage is that they are environmentally friendly, the components used for their production are harmless.

Any natural essential oils can be used to flavor wax products. But it should be borne in mind that when burned, some of them may change their smell. Before adding aromatic substances, they should be heated to understand what the smell of a burning candle will be. Waxes can be flavored with exotic spices, tea mix, or coffee beans.

Candle decoration

You can decorate homemade candles in different ways. The very first is the shape of the products; it can be unusual and unexpected. Various stickers are used. Interesting way finishing – decoupage with napkins.

A decorating pattern can be made using dried flowers, grass, fruits, citrus fruits, coffee beans, pebbles, shells, petals and other elements. In finishing decorative items They use everything that the craftswomen’s imagination suggests.

Decorations should be secured in the mold before pouring the molten base. You need to pour the hot mixture carefully so as not to displace the pattern.

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