floating candles

Set your molds on an old baking sheet. This will protect your countertops from accidental spills of way. In addition to store-bought molds, think of using yogurt or pudding cups, empty condiment jars and paper towel or toilet paper cardboard rolls.

Wrap one end of a wick around a toothpick or chopstick, depending on the size of your mold. Cut the other end of the wick to the depth of the mold. Attach a metal wick holder to the bottom of the wick, if desired. Center the wick assembly over the mold.

Add several inches of water to the lower pot of the double boiler. Add one pound of paraffin wax to the top pot and warm over medium heat until it melts. Stir occasionally with the wooden spoon.

Add approximately ten drops of essential oil or fragrance to the melted way. Stir the wax mixture to blend the scent thoroughly.

Pour the wax mixture into the prepared molds slowly. They will begin to set up rapidly as the wax begins to cool. Allow the candles to harden in the molds for at least 24 hours before removing from the molds.

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, depending onThread the wick how to make candles at home cheap 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

Let the candles cure for at least one week before burning.

Use food coloring or old crayons to color your candles, if you prefer. Add the coloring with the fragrance oil.

Cotton kitchen twine is an inexpensive alternative to commericial wicks. Dipping the string in melted wax makes them easier to place in the mold.

The paraffin will melt faster if you cut it into chunks before placing it in the pan.

If 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.

Use caution if you are making candles around small children. A single drop of wax can cause a bad burn.

Because of the flammable nature of the wax, never leave it unattended.

Step Four: Pour The Wax Into The Mould

Try and tip the wax into the mould quickly, all in one go, to minimise spillage and air bubbles. Keep a little of the wax melting in the pan because you will need it to top up the candle as it hardens and sinks.

after the first pour. This will prevent air pockets developing inside the candle. As the candle sets, the middle will sink as it cools, so you will need to melt more wax and top up the candle. Be very careful when handling acid.