| Candles have been used for centuries and as a | | | | Remove the wick and dip it again. Do this repeatedly, |
| business candle-making has enjoyed a long and varied | | | | allowing the wax to build up in layers until it reaches |
| history. Despite decades of technological | | | | the desired thickness. When complete, hang the |
| improvements in most industries, the very best | | | | candle by the wick in a cool place to harden. Coloured |
| candles and the most expensive are still made by | | | | candles can be made from pre-dyed wax or by |
| hand. Candle-making represents a very profitable and | | | | giving a white candle a final dip in coloured wax. If |
| enjoyable opening for modern day craftworkers, | | | | beeswax is too expensive or hard to find, use |
| especially as Christmas approaches and candles are | | | | synthetic wax instead. |
| purchased for decorative and functional purposes. | | | | * Rolled Craftwax Candle |
| The best candles are made from beeswax, | | | | Prepare a large clean workspace without bumps or |
| sometimes in their entirety, sometimes with beeswax | | | | ridges. Cover with craft paper. Have all the necessary |
| added to man-made ingredients. Beeswax is | | | | equipment at hand ruler, scissors, pins, decorations, |
| compulsory in church candles, the amount varying | | | | wicks, cutters (biscuit cutters are useful), craftwax |
| between churches and their ruling bodies. Though it | | | | sheets. Lay out the craftwax sheets and leave to |
| gives a better end result, beeswax is generally too | | | | warm to room temperature. |
| expensive for candles designed for home use. Less | | | | For a really simple candle, cut a piece of wick an inch |
| costly designs such as those you see selling at craft | | | | longer than you want your candle to be and lay it |
| fairs and fleamarkets can be created from synthetic | | | | along one side of the wax sheet, about 1/8th inch |
| waxes available from craftshops and specialist | | | | from the edge. Leave the extra inch of wick |
| suppliers. A tiny amount of beeswax added to | | | | protruding at the top of the 'finished' candle. Very |
| artificial wax improves the appearance and fragrance | | | | carefully, fold the edge of the wax over the wick. |
| of your candle. Beeswax can be obtained from most | | | | Smooth into place and give a gentle tug to make |
| local beekeepers' associations and from specialist | | | | sure the wick is properly in place. Keep rolling the |
| suppliers. Candlemaking equipment and synthetic | | | | wax around the wick until you reach the desired |
| materials are available in most craft shops where you | | | | thickness. Cut the wax and smooth out the edges |
| will also find a wide selection of useful instruction | | | | and joins. Store somewhere cool, not cold, and out |
| books. | | | | of direct sunlight. |
| MAKING YOUR CANDLES | | | | * Moulded Candle Using Blocks of Wax |
| Simple designs are easy to make and only when you | | | | Boil some water in a double boiler, adding blocks of |
| begin to experiment with texture, colour and shape | | | | wax to the upper pan. Simmer constantly until the |
| does the task become more difficult. Popular | | | | wax is melted. Stir in 3 tablespoons of stearin to |
| marketable designs including unusual shapes, layers of | | | | every 450g of wax. After the stearin has dissolved |
| different colours, odd textures, chunky designs, | | | | stir in a dye or colouring of your choice. Prepare a |
| candles decorated with sequins and beads, | | | | mould. A simple container is best with a hole added |
| hand-painted types and novelty shapes like Santas at | | | | to the bottom through which the wick is passed and |
| Christmas, eggs at Easter, witches at Halloween. The | | | | knotted on the underside. Spray the inside of the |
| real secret of success in this business is to make | | | | mould with silicone spray to make the candle easier |
| your designs different, hopefully unique. This blueprint | | | | to remove. With the mould standing upright, wrap |
| is designed for the newcomer, who should | | | | the wick around a pencil or rod so the wick remains |
| supplement his knowledge by careful market | | | | taut and centred. Arrange the rod lengthwise across |
| research, noting what the competition is doing, and | | | | the mould. Pour the wax from the pan into a glass |
| what new designs and marketing methods can be | | | | jug and fill the mould slowly to prevent bubbles |
| incorporated into his own business. | | | | forming in the mixture. Leave to stand in a bucket of |
| A FEW SIMPLE DESIGNS | | | | cold water to the height of the wax and use a |
| * Simple Dipped Candle | | | | heavy object to keep the candle stable. After 30 |
| Depending on the size you want your candle to be, | | | | minutes remove the weight and check the wax has |
| take a piece of beeswax and melt it in a bowl over a | | | | set. Remove the candle from the mould and store |
| pan of gently simmering water. Take a piece of wick | | | | somewhere safe. |
| and dip it in the wax up to the required length. | | | | |