How to Make Candles
Part 1 of 2

All of the supplies used in this experiment were purchased from The Candlemaker.  The supplies came within the week.  I was surprised at how fast the package came.

Overall (with the cost of shipping) I spent $71.66 so I can write this article.  I want to start out first by giving some advice in case you've never done this. Making candles is a first for me too so we'll learn together from my own trials and errors.  Safety must always come first.  Don't wear any loose clothing and wear your hair pulled back if it's long.  Don't rush the melting process.  If the beeswax melts to fast you can ruin its consistency and it will leave air pockets during the cooling process.  Also, don't allow the candles to cool too quickly because this will crack the candle and change it's texture.  Beeswax has a high melting point of 145 degrees so find a thermometer you're willing to dedicate to the task of candle making.

It takes slightly less than four ounces of bees wax to fill one taper mold.  I used four scoops of wax beads in a dixie cup to fill my needs.  I should have used five because I was shy of my goal and it was a struggle to get there.  It's better to have more than be short of bees wax.  Upon melting the wax looked like dirty water.  I kept the flame low so that the melting process could take its time.  Don't allow the wax to boil.  If this should happen then bubbles may form as the mold solidifies.  Next month we'll go into the details of putting this thing together.