How To Make Candles Singapore
Candle making is an ancient craft steeped in the essence of benefits, offering the opportunity to create useful pieces that provide light and/or scent, besides satisfying creativity.
Making candles can be a relaxing pastime, but also a fun activity too. It’s also a great way to make original gifts for your friends and family.
Materials Needed
First of all, you need money to collect some equipment to make your own candles:
Types of Wax:
The three most common styles and types of waxes are; Paraffin, soy, and beeswax. Each type of wax has its unique properties, pros and cons.
- Paraffin Wax: Widely available and easy to use, but not environmentally friendly.
- Soy Candles Wax: Soy candle is a natural and eco-friendly option that burns cleaner than paraffin.
- Beeswax: Natural and long-lasting, but more expensive and has a distinct scent.
- Wicks: Go with the right size and type of wick.
- Molds and Containers: Traditional candle molds are just one option – pretty much anything that can hold an offer of molten soy wax can be used, from loofahs to leftover jars and tins.
- Fragrances/Essential Oils: Blend your favorite aromas into your candles for a touch of personalization.
- Other Materials: In addition, you’ll need a thermometer, a double boiler, and the usual assortment of implements for your melt-and-pour wax.
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Choose the Right Wax
Candle-making is a delicate art and is made up of multiple processes that need to be completed with the greatest of care. The first step of these processes is to choose the right kind wax. The easiest and most recognizable would be paraffin as it is really easy to find and work with. For those people who are eco-conscious there is soy wax and beeswax. Think about the characteristics of the type of wax you have chosen.
2. Prepare Your Wicks
Finally, you need to prepare your wicks. Either cut the wicks to the height of your candle container or other containers or choose pre-cut wicks that will fit. Leave room to trim the wicks slightly after pouring the mixture. Thread the wicks into the wick holders (insert the cork end all the way) and centre them in your molds. This is the most important step to ensure an even-burning candle.
3. Melt the Wax
Slowly and safely melt the wax using a double boiler. Be sure to check the temperature of the melted wax as the melting points vary with type: don’t overheat the process! Mix continually as wax melts evenly in the pot.
4. Add Fragrance Oils
When the wax is well-heated, it’s then time to add your fragrance oil. The amount depends on the kind of wax and the potency of the scent. In a general sense, aim for about 1 ounce of fragrance per pound of wax. Stir the fragrance into the melted wax well.
5. Pour the Wax
Slowly pour your melted wax into your molds or containers. If the candle is going into a glass container first, be careful to centre the wick as you pour and leave a little space at the top so you can adjust as necessary.
6. Decorate Your Candles
Perform this step while the wick is still embedded in the wax, but before the wax hardens. Leave your candle plain, or decorate it by embedding dry flowers, herbs, or other little objects. Get creative and have fun with this step!
7. Cool and Trim
Once the candles are cool and solid, which should take several hours, depending on their size and shape, trim the wick to a quarter inch. This will yield a nice, clean, even burn once you light the candle.
Attend A Candle Making Workshop
A candle-making workshop, for people who want a more tactile learning experience, can be a good option. In a candle making workshop, it’s possible to learn from an instructor and ask questions in a clear manner, as well as receive immediate feedback on whether you’re doing it right that minute. But it also involves a bit of ‘catering’, since you bring the materials but also the tools to your houseguest or the pupil.
- Benefits of Attending a Workshop: Hands-on learning, expert guidance, and a fun, social experience.
Recommended Workshops in Singapore:
Many craft studios and community centers in Singapore offer candle making workshops. Some popular options for happy candle making, include:
- FunEmpire: Leaders in engaging and imaginative workshops, they also teach candle making which is perfect for all levels.
- Soap Ministry: an all-purpose studio that runs candle classes for people of all experience levels and creates scented candles themselves.
What they are preparing you for when you go to a candlemaking class: a primer on hot waxes, wicks, and scents, plus the melting and pouring and decorating arts.
Tips and Tricks
Here are some further tips and tricks to help you get the best results in candle making process:
- Pitfalls: Don’t warm the wax too much: it can get too hot, turning dark and losing fragrance if, for instance, you have a double boiler on too fierce a flame ‘Make sure the wick is centred properly, comb it, and trim it about a quarter inch off the top edge.
- Getting the Best Results: Use good quality materials so that the oil is rich and will burn properly. And don’t rush! Take time over each step – if you desire good, professional candles, that’s the price you pay.
- Troubleshooting: If you find that the candle tends to tunnel and not burn evenly, consider adjusting the wick size or experimenting with a different type of wax.
How to Make Candles Singapore
Candle making workshops is a delightful pastime that produces gorgeous handmade candles, and something that anyone can do themselves. Before you start, you’ll need to read this completely wonderful guide that walks you through the basics and the equipment required to get started making homemade candles. Therefore, if you think you might enjoy this process, you can book a workshop and benefit directly to strengthen your skills.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you have any questions about How to Make Candles Singapore, you can refer to the frequently asked questions (FAQ) below:
What type of wax is best for beginners?
It’s paraffin wax that’s loaded into those starter kits because it’s cheap and easy to come by – and essential oil, but soy wax and beeswax are also easy to use, more natural, and eco-friendly.
How much fragrance should I add to my candles?
Roughly 1 ounce of fragrance per pound for wax is a decent guideline. Use less or more depending on the wax and intensity of your fragrance.
How long should I let my candles cool?
Candles will cool and harden to the touch in several hours. Large pillars can take a few days.
Can I use any container for candle making?
You can use a lot of different vessels, as long as that vessel is heat-proof, so when that hot wax is poured in the jar, it won’t crack or break. A lot of people use glass jars, metal tins, or ceramic of some kind.