Soy Candles are fun to make! I burn candles almost every day, and that can get pricey. Plus, soy candles are all natural, burn cleaner, and are more environmentally friendly than regular paraffin candles. Because of this, soy candles can cost more than other candles, so I learned how to make them myself. Here is how to make soy candles:
Pick your container. You can use almost anything that will hold liquid! A wine glass, a tea cup, a bowl, a seashell (large one), a vintage tin…the possibilities are nearly endless!
I got this beaded beauty at a yard sale yesterday for a buck:

I start to make the candles by figuring out how much melted wax I am going to need. I do this by filling up my containers with water to the approximate level of where I would like the top of the finished candle to be. Then I pour the water into my melting pot and mark a line with a sharpie. This line will stay through the candle making session but will wash off later. This is the most effective way of figuring out how much wax, and no math needed, perfect!

I melt wax in a double boiler. There are other ways to do this, including directly on the stove or even in the microwave, but a double boiler works best for big batches. Bring the water to a boil, and add the soy wax chips.

While the water is boiling, I prep the candle holders by making sure they are clean and dry. I then add the wicks. I have tried this many different ways but find the most effective way is to use glue dots. I pop a glue dot onto the bottom of the wick and press into the center of the candle holder.

When the wax chips are all melted, I pour them into my melting pot up to the fill line. If there is not enough wax to reach the fill line, I melt more, making sure the wax in the melting pot stays melted by placing it in a pot of simmering water. If there is too much wax, I pour the excess into a Baggie and save it for later. When the wax has reached the fill line it is time to add scent and color.

I use candle making scents only. I have tried using essential oils and find that they don’t work. Not sure why. I use about a tablespoon of scent per 10 oz. candle. This is more than any recipe I have read but that way the scent is released when the candle burns and I like that. If you are sensitive to scents use less!
When the scent and color are stirred in, it is time to pour the candles! Pour the wax into the container slowly.

While the wax is hardening, I steady the wick between two chopsticks. I have tried rolling it around a pencil or stick but I find it puts too much resistance on the wick and it can lift up when the hot wax is added. Yikes! We don’t want that! Chopsticks work for me!

Once the wicks are steady, I walk away. The wax has to set up. This happens in a few hours. You know the wax has hardened when it turns from translucent to opaque. After the wax has set up, I remove the chopsticks and trim the wick.

That’s it! The only other thing to remember is that the candle has to cure for 24 hours before it is ready to light. We must resist the temptation to light the little beauties until they are ready.

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