Article by Sally Stow

There are many elements in home decorating that will provide a warm and comfortable environment.  From the colors one chooses to paint the walls to the style of the furniture, one can create a safe haven for oneself and for their guests.  One such element, is the candle.  Candles change the mood of a room, be it through their warm glow or their scent, or both.  They are easy enough to find in the retail market, and now-days there are stores that specialize in just candles alone.  It is easy enough to find wonderful candles in those stores, however, that is not the only route to take when you want to bring this warmth into your home. Why not do it yourself?  Why not make your own candles?

 Now you may be saying to yourself, that this would be too much of an undertaking.  The time and the effort, and the mess, could easily be avoided by simply jumping in the car and driving to the candle store.  But this endeavor is much easier than you may think.  The list of ingredients and the list of necessary tools and supplies, are relatively short lists.  Just as it is much more satisfying to enjoy a homemade apple pie over a store bought one, relaxing in a room filled with candles you made yourself is much more satisfying and rewarding.  You will be able to customize not only the look and color of your candle, but the fragrance of it as well.

 Most of the tools are items you most likely already have.  For heating the wax, you will need either an electric stove or a hot plate.  If you have a large pot, you just fill it with water.  Insert an old can, such as a coffee tin, into the pot.  The water will boil, but the melting wax will be contained inside the can.  Clean up is easy, as when you are finished, you simply toss the can into the garbage.  You will need a mold for your melted wax.  This can be any container, such as a milk carton or a few paper cups.  These are the only tools you will need.  Now on to the supplies.

 Wax and a wick and a fragrance of your choice.  That’s it.  Choices are a plenty when it comes to the kind of wax you choose to use.  One of the most commonly used waxes in the candle making process is paraffin wax.  It is easy to use and comes in a variety of melting points, which allows you to create everything from small votive candles to taller pillar style candles.  Beeswax is another commonly used wax in the candle making.  However, it may be a bit more expensive as it is harvested in smaller quantities than paraffin.  But, this wax is wonderful for making candles.  The candles made from beeswax tend to glow evenly and warmly, and need no fragrance added.  A faint smell of honey will fill your home when burning these candles.

 Three other waxes are being used more and more.  These are soy wax, palm wax, and gel wax.  Soy and palm wax are similar to beeswax in that they are gaining popularity due to the fact that they are considered all-natural products.  Both come in a variety of melting points, just as paraffin, and both burn clean and strong.  Gel wax, isn’t really wax at all.  It is a combination of mineral oil and resin.  What makes gel wax different is that fact that you are able to create a different look…candles made from gel are often transparent.  For this reason, many people are choosing to make their candles from gel as the decorative aspects are endless.

 Regardless of the wax you decide to go with, making your own candles will not only provide warmth and a certain mood to any room, but in making your own candles you are making a statement about your own personal style.  It is one way to make your home your own, and one way to make sure you have the exact candle, with exact scent to meet your tastes.  The possibilities are limitless when you decide to just do it yourself.