I never thought I could find such a great way to make extra money in my own basement! Making and selling candles has really taken a lot of the stress out of paying bills.
Kally - Arizona
Carley - New York
Pillar candles are some of the most common, fun-to-make candles around. This is largely due to the fact that there is so much flexibility that you have, which makes the candle-making process extremely rewarding with little frustration—especially if you’re a beginner.
What You Need To Get Started
As with any project, it’s necessary that you have all the appropriate materials, proper safety equipment and a basic knowledge of candle making procedures before you start on your pillar candle-making project. The following materials are what you will need to get started:
- Mold
- Wax
- Add-Ins
- Wick
- Sealers
- Wick Rod
- Double Boiler
The first step you’ll want to take is to make sure you clean your mold with warm water to remove the residue if there is any. After rinsing, you’ll want to make sure you dry your mold completely. Water can damage the candle or prevent it from settling properly; therefore, it’s recommended that you let your rinsed molds sit and air dry for about 20 minutes after you’ve rinsed and towel dried.
The next step (if you choose to make your own wick) is to make the wick how ever wide you choose for the particular candle you’re making. Then, thread the wick (Two inches longer than the pillar) through your mold and secure in place with a wick rod. Finally, seal your mold with a screw and sealer to stop leakage.
Melting The Wax For Your Pillar Candle
After you’ve created and set the wick into the dried mold, the next step is to melt the proper amount of wax in the double boiler. Hold the boiler just above the heat to prevent scorching the wax. Remove the double boiler from the heat when the wax reaches between 175 and 190 degrees. After you’ve successfully melted down the wax to the approximate temperatures, you can then add in color chips or fragrance oil if you want to make a scented pillar candle. If you prefer an unscented pillar candle, you won't need to add anything to the wax, except color chips. Stir the wax and add-ins thoroughly. You can make uneven textures and tones, if you desire, by stirring more infrequently. Next you’ll want to pour the wax into your mold until it reaches ½ inch from the top. You will notice that as the wax is cooling, it will develop a depression in the center. Add more wax to the mold to fill in the ventilation holes, and make sure the wax is level with the previously poured wax to prevent any seams along the base. Finally, let your candle cool for around 24 for hours or more to attain optimal hardness.
