Candle making has always held a special place in my heart, a cherished tradition passed down from my grandmother and mother. They would make candles while we helped—or, as they put it, “disturbed” them! It was truly a fun experience. My grandmother made candles for our church, and I loved being involved. Back then, we were limited to using paraffin wax, dye, cotton wicks, and a few moulds. Now that I’ve turned this passion into my own business, I’ve discovered more sustainable methods for creating candles with eco-friendly materials. This is where my journey really begins.

I started by asking myself some very basic  questions:

1. What type of wax should I use? Should I stick with paraffin or explore safer options like soy or beeswax?

2. Should I choose cotton wicks or wood wicks?

3. Where can I source my essential and fragrance oils, and how can I blend them to create a unique scent?

4. Will I use dyes, or do I prefer a dye-free, natural look?

5. What kind of containers do I need, and how can I find the best options?

These questions were exciting to explore, and I focused on finding the best answers for my final product.

After I grasped the basics, I faced several challenges in my quest for perfection. I created a few testers, and here are the common hurdles I encountered:

1. Uneven Burning

This issue arose from using the wrong wick size or placement. Initially, I used cotton wicks for larger containers, which led to tunneling—more wax remained while the wick struggled to burn. I learned that it’s crucial to test various wicks with the chosen wax and container to ensure a consistent burn.

2. Frosting 

Frosting is particularly common with soy wax and occurs when the wax appears cloudy. While some consider this a flaw, others appreciate it as a unique characteristic of the candle.

3. Scent Throw Issues  

If my candles didn’t emit enough fragrance, I needed to adjust the amount of fragrance oil used. Each type of wax has a recommended scent load, so thorough research and experimentation were essential, especially since the fragrances I sourced locally didn’t always behave the same way.

MAIN THINGS I LEARNT :

– Experiment with Blends: Don’t be afraid to mix different waxes or scents to find unique combinations. GO CRAZY with your experiments! Learn from others and take note of what works—and what doesn’t. Keeping a journal of your trials will help you replicate your successes down the line.

– Master Your Pouring Technique: The temperature at which you pour your wax plays a significant role in the final finish. If you pour too hot, you might end up with uneven surfaces; too cold, and the wax may not adhere properly. While many issues can be fixed later, it’s best to avoid creating a mess in the first place!

– Personalize Your Designs: Let your creativity shine through by using unique moulds and decorative elements. Consider embedding flowers, herbs, or using layered colors to add that special touch to your candles. Make your creations irresistible!

It’s a fun journey full of trying new things and being creative. From facing early challenges to making beautiful, scented candles, moving from trial to success is very rewarding. Enjoy every step, learn from what you go through, and let your love for candle making shine! Whether you do it just for fun or as a business, there are endless possibilities in candle making. So, gather your materials, spark your creativity, and start this exciting adventure!