Learn How To Make Soy Candles at Home

How to make soy candles at home. Simple instructions for amazing results. It's Candle Making Time!

Learn how to make incredible soy candles at home. Simple instructions for amazing results. It's Candle Making Time!

How To Make Soy Votive Candles

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So you want to learn how to make soy votive candles? Well, it’s actually pretty simple and you can do it right in your own kitchen! Soy votives make wonderful gifts for any occasion and it’s wonderful when you can make a gift yourself, adding your own fragrance or fragrance blend as a special personal touch. Votives are small and you can make a lovely sampler pack as a gift. For those who are looking to start their own candle business, I have used these same instructions for making my own soy votive candles for my previous business and they were always a big hit!

First you’ll need a few supplies:

  • 8 Votive molds. I use metal votive molds with a wick pin. I bought mine from Candlesoylutions: Votive Molds Wick Pins
  • 8 votive candle wicks. I’ve found the best to use are the P-22 large base wicks from Candlesoylutions
  • Pour Pot, or double boiler setup. I like using the pour pots, but when I started out, I just used a small sauce pan with some water in the bottom and a metal bowl sitting on top that I poured the soy wax into.
  • Rubber Spatula that can withstand heat, or plastic spoon.
  • Glass candy thermometer
  • 1lb Soy Votive Wax (The link will take you to Candlesoylutions, my favorite supplier)
  • 1oz fragrance oil of your choice Candle dye, any color you choose, or you can start with no dye.

 

How to make soy votive candles:

  1. First, set up your votive molds with the wick pins in them on some wax paper on your counter or table. The wax paper will keep you from having to wipe up spills once you’re done making your votive candles.
  2. Put your pour pot, or metal bowl on a scale (preferably a digital one) and 0 it out. Pour your soy votive wax in until the scale says 1lb.
  3. Set your pour pot in the pot with water in it (about an inch or 2) or set your bowl or double boiler pot on top of the pot with water in it.
  4. NEVER put the pot or bowl with wax directly on the stove as it could combust! Always use water surrounding the pour pot, or use a double boiler set up.
  5. Set the stove to med-low heat (aprox. 4).
  6. Put the thermometer in the wax and set your timer for 15 min. so you remember to check on the wax.
  7. Once the soy votive wax has melted and reached 195-200 degrees F. Take the pour pot, or bowl off the stove and set it onto the digital scale. 0 out the scale again.
  8. Once the wax is down to about 185 degrees, pour 1oz of fragrance oil (by weght) and stir a couple times. Then add a couple drops or so of your choice of candle dye according to what color you want, and stir a few more times until everything is incorporated.
  9. By now the wax should be about 175 degrees. This is the time you should pour into your votive molds. You don’t want it to cool like you do with soy container candles.
  10. Once you have filled each votive mold, it is time to wait till they are completely cooled before pulling them out of the metal molds. They should just pop right out when they are cool enough. Usually takes about an hour or two depending on the room temperature.

So that’s how to make soy votive candles, and I hope you have fun making special gifts for family and friends. Contact me if you have any questions or if I left anything out or didn’t make something clear enough.

How To Make Soy Votive Candles
Author: Melissa Hall
Ingredients
  • 8 Votive molds.
  • 8 votive candle wicks.
  • Pour Pot, or double boiler setup.
  • Rubber Spatula that can withstand heat, or plastic spoon.
  • Glass candy thermometer
  • 1lb Soy Votive Wax
  • 1oz fragrance oil of your choice
  • Candle dye, any color you choose, or no dye.
How to Make Soy Votive Candles Instructions
  1. First, set up your votive molds with the wick pins in them on some wax paper on your counter or table. The wax paper will keep you from having to wipe up spills once you’re done making your votive candles.
  2. Put your pour pot, or metal bowl on a scale (preferably a digital one) and 0 it out. Pour your soy votive wax in until the scale says 1lb.
  3. Set your pour pot in the pot with water in it (about an inch or 2) or set your bowl or double boiler pot on top of the pot with water in it.
  4. NEVER put the pot or bowl with wax directly on the stove as it could combust! Always use water surrounding the pour pot, or use a double boiler set up.
  5. Set the stove to med-low heat (aprox. 4).
  6. Put the thermometer in the wax and set your timer for 15 min. so you remember to check on the wax.
  7. Once the soy votive wax has melted and reached 195-200 degrees F. Take the pour pot, or bowl off the stove and set it onto the digital scale. 0 out the scale again.
  8. Once the wax is down to about 185 degrees, pour 1oz of fragrance oil (by weght) and stir a couple times. Then add a couple drops or so of your choice of candle dye according to what color you want, and stir a few more times until everything is incorporated.
  9. By now the wax should be about 175 degrees. This is the time you should pour into your votive molds. You don’t want it to cool like you do with soy container candles.
  10. Once you have filled each votive mold, it is time to wait till they are completely cooled before pulling them out of the metal molds. They should just pop right out when they are cool enough. Usually takes about an hour or two depending on the room temperature.

 

Tilted Layer Candles How To-Candy Cane Christmas Candles

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candy-cane-jar-candle

Layered candles are pretty cool, but tilted layer candles take it to a whole new level. You can make many different patterns using this technique, using 2 or more colors and/or fragrances.

Every year around Christmas the past few years, my dad orders about a dozen candles from me so he can give them to his coworkers as gifts. There are always several candy cane candles among them and I usually make them as chunk candles. Everyone loves them!

This year I decided to try doing tilted layer candles, and not just tilted, but zigzagged.  I had ordered a certain amount of Candy Cane fragrance oil, and had only enough to do the amount of candy cane candles my dad had asked for, so I was hoping I wouldn’t mess them up! lol

They turned out great though! Below you’ll find the instructions. If you’ve never made soy container candles before, you’ll want to go to my Mason Jar Candle Recipe and see the instructions for melting the wax, adding fragrance/dye, and cooling.

How To Make Candy Cane Tilted Layer Candles

Make up two batches of wax. We’ll just do two colors here, but you can do more than two.

We’ll do two 8oz jar candles for this so you’ll want to have two pour pots with 8oz of wax in each (I used Midwest Soy 100% Container Wax).

We’ll leave one batch of wax uncolored, and the other we will dye red.

Start with the uncolored wax pour pot.

Use 1/2oz Candy Cane fragrance oil once you’ve melted the wax to 185 degrees F.

Stir a few times and then let the wax cool to 100 degrees F.

While the wax is cooling, you can set up your jars.

First add your wick. I used CD 16 in these, but Eco 10 or 12 would do well too (you’ll want to test if you haven’t already) I love the long bag clips for this because you can get them on there nice and tight so they don’t move when you tilt the jars. Other wick holders will just slide around.

makeup-wedge-mason-jar

I used a makeup wedge for tilting the jar since I didn’t have anything else on hand and someone in our candle making group suggested it. It worked well, but what would work even better is a bowl or box with some sand in it. That way you could tilt the jars however you want to make different effects, and the jars will be even more stable.

Once you’ve placed your wicks, set the jars on the makeup wedge (or sand).

tilted-jar-candle

When the first layer wax is cooled to 100 degrees F. go ahead and pour the first layer. Set that pour pot aside and wait until the first layer is completely cool. This is important. If you don’t wait till it is hardened, the second layer may bleed into it. (this could give you a cool effect too, though, so feel free to try it if you like)

first-wax-layer

Once the first layer is set and cooled, turn the jar around so that it is tilted the opposite direction.tilt-other-direction

Now melt your second layer wax, add fragrance oil and red dye at 185 degrees F. I used 1 cinnamon red diamond dye (reddi-glo from Candle Science). If you use any dye chips like this, you’ll need to make sure to stir until it is completely melted into the wax.

Let cool to 100 degrees F. and then you can pour the second layer.pour-second-wax-layersecond-wax-layer

Now let that layer cool and you can remelt the non-colored wax to about 100 degrees F and pour the 3rd layer.third-wax-layer

Let cool completely, remelt the red wax and pour the last layer.  Before you pour the last layer, you can take the wedge out from under the candle so the top will be flat.

tilted-layer-last

layered-candy-cane-candles

 

And there you go! Not difficult at all, but it does take time. Be patient, have fun and get creative!

 

 

 

Golden Brands 464 Soy Wax Pour Temp Test-1

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So I decided to stay up and do some candle experimenting a few nights ago (like….after midnight….). I did a review on the Golden Brands 464 soy wax quite awhile ago.

It didn’t turn out very well, so I decided, since it has so many great reviews, that I would try buying it from a different supplier and try again. I purchased 10lbs of 464 soy wax from Candlescience and I made a couple candles right away which turned out much, much better than when I did my original review.

This time I decided to make 2 candles and try pouring them at different temps, just to show how the pour temp can affect the wax once it’s cooled. Some soy waxes do best poured at a very low temperature, and some do better poured at a higher temp.

Here’s what I found with the Golden Brands 464 wax the other night when I poured at 2 different temps.

I used 1lb of wax to make two 8oz candles and 0.7oz Sweet Potato Pecan Pie (Candlesoylutions.com) fragrance oil (There wasn’t quite 1oz left in the bottle, or I would have done 1oz. ) and 4 drops of brown dye. The wick I used in both candles is Eco 14.

I heated the soy wax…..

to 185°F , added fragrance oil and dye, stirred for a couple minutes and let cool to 165°F, then stirred, and poured the first candle. Then I let the rest of the wax cool to 135°F, stirred, and poured the second candle.  As you can see, I didn’t fill the first one up quite enough, so the second candle is filled more than I anticipated.

464-soy-wax-candles-test

 

And here’s what they looked like the next morning after they had set.

As you can see, the candle I poured at the cooler temperature has a slight sinkhole, but no frost on either candle, and neither one had any wet spots (pulling away from the jar in spots on the sides, instead of adhering to the jar)

464-soy-wax-candles

You can see by comparing this test to my first time using the Golden Brands 464 soy wax, that this time turned out a lot better so far. I still need to test burn these of course, but I’m going to wait a few more days so it should be about a week or so cure time.

The candle that I poured at 165 definitely turned out the best with no sink holes at all and very smooth.  Like I said, no wet spots the next day, or the day after that, but I did notice on the 3rd day that they both had pulled away from the jar a bit. It’s not bad, and it’s a larger area that has pulled away so you don’t really notice it much. I think this is because it is getting colder overnight in my house now, and room temperature can definitely affect soy candles.  The one I poured at 135 also had just a few very small spots of frost on the sides, but also not real noticeable.

I plan on doing a couple more temperature tests with this wax. I want to try a higher temp and a very low temp, so I’ll be sure to post about that down the road.

Now I can’t wait to test burn these and let you know how they do!  I LOVE the smell of the Sweet Potato Pecan Pie fragrance, and the cold throw is great.  I’m hoping that, even though I didn’t get to use a whole 1oz like I normally would, it will still throw well. We shall see!

That’s it for now. I’ll post an update once I start test burning them!

Craft Fair Tips-10 Tips for a Successful Craft Fair

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Craft Fair Tips by Candles by Laura

Hey everyone! I hope you are doing well and getting the hang of your soy candle making if you’re new to it.  I haven’t posted anything new for awhile if you haven’t noticed lol  I’ve been so busy with this and that, remodeling the outside of our house (new insulation, siding, windows and more!) and a bit of writers block too.

It’s craft fair/bazaar season and the holidays are fast approaching! I’ve been wanting to do a craft fair post for awhile, but I wanted it to be super helpful, and since I have only done a few craft fairs, I decided I would enlist someone more experienced than myself to answer some questions for this one!

Laura Scheuy, from Candles By Laura,  has been so kind as to offer up her tips on preparing for and having a successful craft fair selling your soy candles!  So check out the questions and answers below, and give her some support by visiting her website and FB page which are listed at the end of the article as well.

If you have any other questions, be sure to leave a comment below too!

 10 Craft Fair Tips for a Successful Show…

1. How do I find craft fairs in my area? In my experience, the best way to find events is by word of mouth. Talk to your fellow vendors, people in your community, participants in your hometown holiday craft fair. Ask them which shows they’ve done and if they have any recommendations. There are a number of Facebook groups that have been started just for this purpose, too.
Eventlister.com is an online resource that is also a great place to find local events. You can search by date and zip code.
Newspaper ads
Internet search

2. How much does it generally cost for a spot? Wide range – anywhere from $10 on up to $350 or more for a weekend event. Most shows I attend average $40 for an indoor 8’ x 6’ spot, but the outdoor farmer’s markets are much less for a 10’ x 10’ space.

3. What research should I do about the event before attending? (Is there a way to know which events would be best to attend?) Again, Eventlister.com is a great resource. For a minimal membership fee, you can read/write reviews for shows. Contact the event planner, ask them about the show’s history. Ask other vendors that have attended before what their experience has been. There are all kinds of Facebook groups as well.

4. How much inventory should I bring with me? It’s been said “A good day of sales is 10x the entry fee”. If the show cost you $25 to get in, bring a minimum of $250 in inventory, I usually double that. That’s a great start. Once you’ve gotten some experience and you return to shows year after year, this will change.

5. How early should I get there to set up? Each show/venue has its own rules, but I recommend no less than one hour to allow for hiccups, changes and it provides a less stressful set up if you’re not rushing. If your display is elaborate or you have a lot of product, you should certainly get there at the earliest time that is allowed.

6. What are some tips on setting up the display?

  • Fill your space whether it be with product, or height in your display.
  • Make it inviting. The more traffic in your booth, the better chance you have of making a sale.
  • The weather is also a factor. If it’s raining, I want to invite people IN my booth to get out of the elements, but on a beautiful day, I set up more in front so passersby can see my product at a glance.

7. Is it good to do sale or bundle pricing? While shoppers are enticed by a deal and it could bring more traffic to your booth, be sure your sale or bundle does not cut into your profit margin. Everyone likes to get something for nothing, but consider your worth. You are handcrafting your product, be sure you’re compensated appropriately.

8. Can I have a candle lit so people can smell it burning? That is entirely up to the venue hosting the craft fair or event, but if it’s allowed, I would encourage it. If open flame is not allowed, but electricity is available, wax warmers are a great way to change out the scents throughout the event.

9. Can I take orders if I run out of items? Sure! However, be sure to explain to the customer about all your shipping/delivery options to be clear that if they are out of your delivery range, you will ship them and that will be an extra charge.

10. What should I pack for the event? Oh my, now this is extensive and depends on the size of your space, but bare minimums:
Tent
Tables
Tablecloths
Chair(s)
Product Displays
Tent Weights
Your inventory, of course,
Cash box (small bills)
Credit card equipment (if applicable)
Business cards
Shopping bags
It’s always good to have a “toolbox” full of office supplies such as tape, scissors, pens, clothespins, clips, price tags, calculator, etc.
On a personal level, be sure to bring water, breath mints, snacks (that won’t get all stuck in your teeth) a bag for your garbage, a sweater or jacket and hand sanitizer.
This is just the short list.

On a final note:

Stand up! Do not sit behind your display on your cell phone and wait for people to come to you!

Engage with the people passing by. A simple “hello” and a smile. Instead of reading a book or making your craft during downtime, talk to your neighbors, walk around when you can! Learn from them! You’ll meet a wonderful group of people that are all in it for the same reasons you are.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Soy Candles-Candles by Laura LLC

Laura Scheuy started her soy candle business, Candles by Laura, LLC, in 2007 out of a simple love for great scented candles. What started more than a decade ago as a hobby, turned into a full-fledged business in just a few years. Now Candles by Laura can be found in several retail shops in New England as well as weekly farmer’s markets, monthly craft shows and always in her online store, www.candlesbylaura.com. Follow Candles by Laura on Facebook at facebook.com/CandlesbyLauraBolton

Candle Supplies Giveaway! Win a $20 Gift Certificate to Nature’s Garden

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candle-supplies-giveaway

Hey everyone! I know I haven’t been posting a whole lot of new stuff, and I’m sorry about that. I do have some more articles in the works, and even a couple videos, I just get so busy with all the other 10 million things on my plate, and my brain gets….EXHAUSTED.  So then I go on a slump where I feel like I have nothing of value to bring to you, even though I know there is plenty, my brain just refuses to process it until it gets recharged lol

Anywho….. so I thought this would be a wonderful time to do a candle supplies giveaway!  And I figured you would enjoy it too 🙂

I’ve decided to do something fairly simple. Gift certificates. To a wonderful candle and soap making supplier called Natures Garden Candle Supplies. Many of you have probably heard of them and probably bought supplies from them before.  They have a huge selection of fragrance oils (oh boy!), and the ones I’ve tried have had a great throw in soy wax. They also have reasonable shipping as well.

And just to be clear, I am not getting any compensation for this from Nature’s Garden. I am purchasing these gift certificates on my own, so there is no bias in this…sort of review/giveaway lol (Just wanted to throw that in there for good measure)

I know $20 isn’t a whole lot, but here’s the thing…..

There are going to be 4 winners!  Yay!

And I will be planning a bigger, single giveaway again in the near future like I did last year.

Here’s what you need to do to enter the giveaway…..

1. Use the contest form below to enter and share this giveaway with as many social media platforms as you can.

2. You can also copy the share link and paste it into an email to send to everyone on your email address book!

3. You’ll get one entry for each thing you do, so rack up those entries!

2. Make sure to leave a comment below as well, and let me know what you would use your $20 gift certificate for if you win!

[contesthopper contest=”1376″]