How to Make Candles at Home

Today I’m excited to welcome Jen Donald. She says “I am an avid learner and lover of all things craft with a passion for creating the weird and wonderful. There is something very satisfying when making something by hand.” I’m looking forward to seeing Jen’s Etsy store open soon, but in the meantime, let’s learn how to make candles.

Bring Spring into your home with a DIY scented candle

Spring, the most optimistic time of the year.

The days get longer, the sun sets later in the evening and the afternoons become balmy and relaxing.

This brings the flowers into bloom and creates the perfect atmosphere of sweet smells carried by the warm afternoon breeze.

What better time to transform your home and bring the smell of spring inside your home with a scented soy candle.

That’s exactly what I did and I’m loving it.

Here’s how you can do it at home too…

What you’ll need:

• Containers made to withstand heat (I chose clear glass containers)
• Wick stickers
• Cotton wicks
• Thermometer
• Pouring jug
• Wick holder
• English Garden fragrance oil
• Soy wax flakes

All candle supplies can be found online. I managed to source them locally from Crafty Candle Supplies, who had the containers I liked as well as the equipment I needed.

When looking for the perfect scent for spring I went with English Garden, as this captures all the range of flowers you smell at spring time.

Once you have all the necessary equipment you can begin making the soy candle following the steps below.

Step 1: Melt the Wax

Using the double-boiler method, melt the wax over a simmering pot. I found my Pyrex jug worked best for holding the wax to melt because it allows for easy handling.

To measure out the amount of wax needed use this formula.

Volume of the container (ml) x 0.85 = Soy Wax (g)

If you don’t have scales handy then a quick way to calculate the wax required is simply using the container to measure two full scoops of unmelted wax.

When the wax melts down this should roughly fill the container.

Step 2: Prepare the Container

Place the wick in the centre of the candle using the wick sticker to hold it in place. Once the wick is secured in the container, use the wick holder to hold it in place.

Step 3: Add the Fragrance Oil

Once the wax has reached 80 degrees Celsius, take the wax off the heat and transfer it into the pouring jug. After transferring the wax to a pouring jug, add the fragrance oil and stir for about 2 minutes.

Add between 6-10% fragrance oil to grams of wax melted.

To calculate this simply follow the formula below.

Soy Wax (g) x 0.06-0.10 = Fragrance Oil (ml)

If you do not know the volume of wax then simply calculate 5-8% of the volume of the container.

Container (ml) x 0.05-0.06 = Fragrance Oil (ml)

Step 4: Pour the Candle

When the wax has cooled to 55 degrees Celsius, pour into the container.

Step 5: Let the Candle Set

Leave the candles to cool and set over 24 hours.

There you have it, a beautiful spring scented soy candle.

Thank you so much, Jen. I’m keen to have a try myself now!

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