I love candles and I love making them at home because there are so many techniques you can use to get effects you normally can’t buy at a store. This series of candle making is to show how easy and affordable candle making can be, especially since most of the items on the list below probably already exist in your home. This technique is called an ice candle and there are several variations you can do with it.
*Be aware: even though paraffin wax is non-toxic, it is recommended not to use anything you use to cook or eat with after melting wax in it.
- Crockpot or heavy pot for melting wax Pound of paraffin wax
- Various containers or paper cups to use as molds
- Cotton string for wicking
- Bamboo skewers or toothpicks
- Crayons for color (optional)
- Utility knife
- Oil for oiling molds
- Flavor extracts or oils, like the ones used for rock candy (optional )
Step 1. Prepare your wax for meltin: For faster melting you can cut it into chunks with a utility knife or shave it with an old vegetable peeler
Step 2: Add wax to Crockpot or pot to melt.
Step 3: Prepare your mold: If using paper cups, poke hole in the bottom with a needle or nail, if using a plastic container heat a nail and use it to make a small hole in the bottom. Rub your mold with a bit of oil on a paper towel.
Step 4. Prepare your wick: Tie your cotton string to a toothpick or bamboo skewer and dip it in the melted wax several times to ensure even burning. Insert your waxed wick through the hole and tape it over to one side with masking tape, making sure the hole is covered completely.
Step 6. Fire and ice: Fill your mold with ice. If you are using a variety of colors pour it slowly and switch colors often. You can use a little color and then fill it with the plain paraffin or simply use one color and fill the mold with that. When the wax sets pour all the water out. Now, there are several options here you can use to get a variety of different results.
You can take the candle out as is, and get a kind of lacy effect.
Or you can fill the mold again with a very lightly colored or just plain wax.
There you have it, making awesome looking candles for your home or for gifts is not only easy and affordable, but you probably already have almost everything you need in your pantry right now! Not to mention, it’s a lot of fun too!
