How to Make Votive Candles at home

Votive candles are relatively simple to make and add a great deal of charm to just about any occasion. The typical votive candle, which is rarely larger than two inches tall or two inches around will burn for approximately fifteen hours. At the end of the fifteen hours, all of the candle wax is usually consumed, leaving a clean candle holder. A votive candle will usually liquefy to some degree while burning which allows the candle wax to release added essential oils and other scents.

Your shopping list for creating a votive candle will include candle wax, fragrance oil, dye, molds release spray, pre-tabbed wicks suitable for votive candles and metal candle molds.

Your first step is to prepare your molten candle wax mixture. Do this according to directions if you have purchased a candle making kit. Heat the candle wax to 175 degrees Fahrenheit in a double boiler. Once the wax has heated, first add your fragrance oil, and then the dye, making sure both substances are mixed well with a wooden spoon. Before pouring the wax into your metal votive candle molds, you might want to spray them with silicone spray or a cooking spray so that the votivecandle pops out easily from the mold.

Fill the candle molds with wax just to the lip of the mold without overflowing. After the candle wax has congealed slightly, float your pre-tabbed wicks, which often have a metal base in the candle wax. Make sure the wicks are straight by nudging them with their finger.

As these votive candles completely cool you will notice a dip or sinkhole in the candle wax. Pour remaining wax on into this dip to seal the tab of wick and create a level bottom to the votive candle. You may speed up the hardening process of your votive candles by placing them in the refrigerator.

Remember that votive candles are not intended to be freestanding candles and should always be placed in a candle holder. No matter how small the votive candle, you should never leave it burning unattended.

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