Craft a sweet Halloween treat for the holiday! Fun and easy to make, votive candles are versatile, everyone loves them, and they’re fun to have around the house or give as gifts. You can make them as sweet smelling as you wish. Add a little festive flair to your creativity with candle making!
Supplies and Equipment Needed
Votive/Pillar Wax (suggestions listed below…)
• KY 133 Versatile Paraffin Wax
• KY 143 Paraffin Pillar Wax
• KY Para-Soy Tart & Votive Blend (used in this tutorial)
Digital Scale
Candy Corn Fragrance Oil (or any fragrance desired)
Orange Liquid Candle Dye
Bright Yellow Liquid Candle Dye
Pouring Pot or Pyrex Glass Measuring Cups
Thermometer
Votive Molds (3)
36-24-24 Zinc Votive Wicks w/self centering tabs (3)
Presto Pot or Double Boiler to melt candle wax
Metal Spoon to stir wax
Safety goggles
Apron to protect clothing
Wax paper, old newspapers or aluminum foil
Step 1
Prepare the votive molds by placing a pre-tabbed votive wick with self-centering tab in each mold. Make sure the wicks are centered and straight. Set these off to the side. The wicks may need to be slightly adjusted during the pouring process to keep them straight.
Tip: Place the votive molds on a cookie sheet to make moving them easier.
Step 2
Melt the candle wax with the chosen method (Presto Pot, double boiler). Make sure to follow the wax manufacturer melting and pouring guidelines for correct temperatures.
For this tutorial, KY Para-Soy Votive/Tart Blend is being used so it will need to be heated to approx 165° F per the guidelines. Use the thermometer to correctly monitor the temperature.
Step 3
Set the pour pot on the digital scale and tare. Transfer needed amount of wax to pour pot – in this tutorial (3) candy corn votives will be created, so 9 oz* total of wax will be needed.
Transfer 3 oz* of wax, and add .3 oz of Rustic Escentuals Candy Corn Fragrance Oil for the first layer. Stir well (approx 2 min), then add 4 drops of Rustic Escentuals Orange Liquid Premium Liquid Colorant. When mixture has cooled to approx 155-160° pour into votive molds. Fill the mold approximately 1/3 full.
Once the first pour has cooled enough that it has stopped shrinking, prepare to pour the second layer.
Step 4
Set the pour pot on the digital scale and tare. Transfer 3 oz* of wax, and add .3 oz of Rustic Escentuals Candy Corn Fragrance Oil** for the second layer. Stir well (approx 2 min). When this mixture has cooled to approx 155° begin pouring the second layer for all three votives. Fill approximately 1/3 more. Allow layer to cool.
Once the second pour has cooled enough that it has stopped shrinking, prepare to pour the third layer.
Step 5
Set the pour pot on the digital scale and tare. Transfer 3 oz* of wax, and add .3 oz of Rustic Escentuals Candy Corn Fragrance Oil** for the final layer. Add 2 drops of Bright Yellow liquid colorant and stir well (approx 2 min). When this mixture has cooled to approx 155° begin pouring the final layer. Save the left-over wax for the final repour. Fill to where the votive mold begins to flare out leaving room for the re-pour. Allow layer to cool.
When the wax has finished shrinking, do the re-pour, if necessary. Fill all the way to the brim of the votive mold making sure not to overfill.
Step 6
Let the candles cool completely. If they don’t fall out by simply inverting the mold, give it a firm, quick tap on a sturdy surface – this should loosen them, and then they’ll fall right out. Trim the wick to 1/4″.
Notes:
*Wax weights are approximate and not exact.
** Wax, fragrance oil, and candle dye selections in this tutorial are for demonstrative purposes only.
All measurements are by weight, not volume.
SOME SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
- Cover counter with wax paper, old newspapers or aluminum foil to make clean up easier.
- Be sure to wear safety goggles for eye protection. You do not want to be splashed in the eye with hot wax! Remember with wax – safety first.
- Waxes used in making candles are very similar to cooking oils – they are flammable and they are poured at high temperatures, but with certain precautions, accidents may be avoided. NEVER HEAT WAX ABOVE 210°F.
- For safety, wax should be melted in a double boiler. Wax should NEVER be heated directly over an open flame or burner. Direct heating can cause wax to explode and result in serious injury.
- Use of a thermometer is advised to ensure proper wax pouring temperature.
- Never leave hot wax unattended. Keep children and pets away from the area where wax is being melted and poured.
- Never pour water in a wax fire. Water will cause the fire to spread. To extinguish a fire in a pan, cover the pan with its lid. Use a dry chemical fire extinguisher.
- Never pour melted wax into the sink or other drains.