candles with perfume

One 9-inch-length wick, primed

1 tablespoon opaque crystals

1/2 pound paraffin wax

2 to 3 drops candle scent or essential oil

Directions:
1. Prepare the mold — you will need a 7 x 2-inch mold. Insert the primed wick in the mold; tie to a tie rod and seal with mold seal.

2. In the top of a double boiler over medium heat, melt the opaque crystals, then add the wax. Melt and mix thoroughly. Heat to 190 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Stir in the candle scent or essential oil and transfer the wax to a pouring jug. Carefully fill the mold and allow to cool 1 hour.

4. Top off the candle as necessary, then leave to harden 6 to 8 hours.

5. Unmold the candle, trim the wicks to 1/4 inch, and level the candle bottom before lighting.

This candle project originally appeared in the book Country Living Handmade Candles.
I have a little bit of a craft obsession. I’m not what you’d consider good at it but I still love cracking out the scissors and glue, colouring in, fabric, stitching, paper, painting – yes I would thrive as a kindy teacher in the craft section (because they all have a special section for crafting right?)

For my Birthday last year, strange one that I am, I asked for some wax and wicks to make my own candles. I was very excited to receive them how to make candles at home be happy but actually forgot about it until a few weeks ago (my Birthday is in 3 weeks so that was nearly a whole year). Spurred on by the excitement of finding a use for my jar collection, one rainy Saturday afternoon I did a bit of Googling of how to make scented soy candles then got straight to candle making.

It was pretty straightforward – melt, pour, leave to set, but what I didn’t realise was that soy wax it a lot easier to work with than parafin wax, which I’d asked for. It made nice candles but soy makes them a much prettier white colour.  

Now come the technical parts. You don’t have to re-use old candles, you can use whatever you like – old jars, a little pot, tea cups – anything that you could microwave safely I’d say would be fine.

First up you have to add the wicks. Measure out the height just by holding it next to your container then add a few centimeters on the bottom and top. To attach the wick at the bottom I was very professional. I used sticky tape. Just fold it around itself to make it double sided then secure it to the bottom of the jar.

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Step Six: Start Sanding

Work diagonally across the boards with the floor sander. If the boards aren't stained and in good condition, start with the medium grade sanding sheets. Otherwise, start with the coarse grade sheets. Work slowly across the room, overlapping each strip and keeping the machine moving all the time to stop ruts forming. Crisscross the room in the opposite direction to remove deep stains. Once you have sanded away the worst of the staining swap to the medium grade sheets and sand in the direction of the boards. Finish off with the fine abrasive again working up and down the boards.

Step Seven: Finish The Room's Edges

To finish off the edges of the room, use the round edging sander. Start with the coarse discs and work through the grades of abrasive in the same way. Work as close to the skirting boards as possible. Use an old chisel for scraping dirt out of the corners.

Step Eight: Clean The Sanded Boards

Vacuum the floor. To remove the finer dust, wipe over the new surface with a cloth dampened with white spirit. This will also remove any grease and dirt left on the surface. Make sure you wear soft-soled shoes at this stage to protect the unsealed floor. heat the acid in the top of your boiler or in a metal bowl over the saucepan, but never directly over a heat source. Add a few shavings of dye from the color block and leave to dissolve. easure out the paraffin wax and add it to the dissolved acid. Once this has dissolved, add a few drops of fragrance oil how to make candles at home depending onThread the wick through the mould and make sure that you leave a good few centimetres sticking out of the hole in the bottom. At the top, hold the wick steady by fixing it to the pin that sits across the top of the mould - either by sticking the pin through the centre of the wick, or tying the wick around the pin how heavily scented you would like your candle. Use a thermometer to check that the temperature of the wax is completely melted at ca. 80ºC (better still, use the au bain marie method to melt your wax, put a small pan containing the wax into a larger pan filled with water, in this way you can never overheat the wax) before taking it off the heat. Pour the wax. Put a tray or newspaper under your mold to stop the wax dripping everywhere. Pour the liquid wax into a metal pouring jug and then slowly pour it into the mold. Add extra wax. Wax contracts as it cools, so you will need to use a stick or pencil to poke small holes in the candle around the wick

Step Nine: Seal The Boards

It's essential the boards are sealed with either a clear wood finish or paint. Make sure the varnish you choose is flooring grade. Brush or roller on at least two coats (three for hard-wearing areas such as hallways) in the direction of the grain. Leave to dry overnight.

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Traditional clay working or pottery techniques work perfectly when dealing with air-dry clay. Pinching, rolling and coiling traditional methods, as well as some non-traditional possibilities such as stamping impressions, or embedding beads and other objects allows for a wide variety of creative possibilities. Thin wire can be used to strengthen air dry clay figures. Once dry, the wire is undetectable but helps the figures to stand without a wide base.

Before beginning work on an air-dry clay project, make sure to knead the clay until its soft and easy to work with. With hands slightly wet, this clay will be easy to handle. If the clay starts to dry out, add a touch of water while modeling the clay. Make sure the clay is stored in an airtight container. If it starts to dry out in the packaging, add a little water and microwave how to make candles at home  it for just a few seconds until warm. Do not overheat it. Kirstie takes the couple to Shepton Mallet Antiques Market in Somerset, and gets antiques expert Tony Geering involved in the search for a mirror.

They meet tile maker Richard Miller, to learn how to make some truly unique tiles of their own.

There's also a spot of wood turning to make some candlesticks for the dining room, while John and Amanda head to Hastings for a lesson in copper beating.

And in her latest master class, as voted for by viewers, Kirstie learns how to transform recycled material with a spot of rag rugging.

Most of the air-dry or paperclay comes in a variety of colors. Again, this allows for many possibilities. Mix new colors of clay by kneading colors together, make figures or projects using the colors available, or even paint or stain the clay after it is dry. Kirstie meets Amanda and John Pearce and learns about rag rugging.

Amanda and John moved into their Surrey home seven years ago, and have since had three children. John is a self-confessed hoarder, so Kirstie not only needs to revamp their aged interiors, but also persuade him to de-clutter. Alpesh and Sharon moved into their home three years ago. But before they could really settle in the children came along. Kirstie's here to help. She takes the couple shopping at an antique's fair where she finds them a mirror. She meets expert potter Abigail Simpson, and introduces Alpesh and Sharon to Annie Sloan, who has over 30 years of experience reviving furniture.

Standard pottery and clay working tools can also be used with air-dry clay. Some basic tools most beginners and professionals use include a potters rib, steel scraper, needle tool, loop, sponge, wire clay cutters and wood modeling tools. In much the same way as they are used with regular clay, they can be as effective with air-dry, creating the same effects depending on the project. Once dry, clay projects may be sanded, carved, drilled, painted, stained or shaded with chalk.

Air-dry clay can also be made at home easily. Mix together 1 cup cornstarch, 2 cups baking soda and 1 1/4 cup cold water in a saucepan. Heat on medium, stirring constantly until thick. Remove from heat and place on sheet of waxed paper. Allow to cool then knead for 5 minutes. Please note that this mixture will not dry as quickly as other brands available, taking anywhere from 48 hours to 1 week to dry.

jars candle making at home

And Kirstie goes back in time and embarks on a bit of rag and boning for the local Women's Institute's bring-and-buy sale. She also does a spot of gilding.After a candle's been poured, air can become trapped inside, so over the next few hours the skin must be regularly broken to release any bubbles. Use a fat needle or cocktail stick to do this. Releasing the air bubbles will eventually make the candle sink, so you will need to top it up with more melted wax.Step Six: Remove From The MouldIf you don't have a double boiler, use an empty coffee can to hold the wax. Place it in a saucepan that leaves at least 1 inch all the way around the can.

For a lacy effect, fill the mold with small ice cubes or chunks before pouring in the wax. As the ice melts, the wax is left with tunnels and holes that make an unusual design.

Episode 3 - Aylesbury

Kirstie meets Gabi and Luke, who want to transform their home near Aylesbury.

Gabi Stallard and Luke Delahunty want to transform their first home near Aylesbury into a decorative oasis. To help out, Kirstie tries her hand at pewter making to craft something special for their home. She takes Gabi and Luke to Ardingly Antiques Fair in West Sussex for a master class in second hand shopping, and sends them to Colchester to see mosaic artist Anne Swegman-Fielding.

Kirstie also enlists the help of gardener Simon Steel to help with designing the garden.

And the show also features carving in limestone and Kirstie doing a spot of cros

Paulette and Gerry Crow and their three children are stuck living in a bland 'box' in Surrey that just doesn't suit them.

Kirstie begins by revamping their living room by transforming the French doors with some handmade roman blinds, expertly stencilled with the help of interior decorator Helen Morris.

Kirstie takes Paulette and Gerry second hand shopping. And bolstered by antiques expert Orlando Rock, Kirstie helps the couple find some chairs with real character.

Twelve-year-old Dan needs a bedroom fit for a teenager. Kirstie decides to make him a new funky bean bag with the help of textile designer Amanda McCrory.

Kirstie meets modern rag and bone trader Chris Carey how to make candles at home runs a fleet of vans and lorries collecting textiles from recycling banks and charity shops to be recycled. 25 tonnes of textiles come into their warehouse each week, with a lot of it being sent abroad to less well off countries.

And in her fourth master class voted for by viewers, Kirstie has a go at the art of glass fusion.

making candles in jar

Episode 5 - North London

Kirstie helps Alpesh and Sharon make their mark on the interiors of the family home they bought three years ago.

Alpesh and Sharon moved into their home three years ago. But before they could really settle in the children came along. Kirstie's here to help. She takes the couple shopping at an antique's fair where she finds them a mirror. She meets expert potter Abigail Simpson, and introduces Alpesh and Sharon to Annie how to make candles at home years of experience reviving furniture Kirstie takes a trip to see Angel Hughes, a leading talent in the art of block printing. She also goes rummaging at her favourite salvage yard and finds a new love in freestyle embroide

Episode 6 - Surrey

Kirstie meets Amanda and John Pearce and learns about rag rugging.

Amanda and John moved into their Surrey home seven years ago, and have since had three children. John is a self-confessed hoarder, so Kirstie not only needs to revamp their aged interiors, but also persuade him to de-clutter.

Kirstie takes the couple to Shepton Mallet Antiques Market in Somerset, and gets antiques expert Tony Geering involved in the search for a mirror.

They meet tile maker Richard Miller, to learn how to make some truly unique tiles of their own.

There's also a spot of wood turning to make some candlesticks for the dining room, while John and Amanda head to Hastings for a lesson in copper beating.

And in her latest master class, as voted for by viewers, Kirstie learns how to transform recycled material with a spot of rag rugging.