Candle Making Jars
Candles are a wonderful creation that adds warmth, pleasing aromas and beauty to the home. Today seven out of every ten homes use candles and they support a two billion dollar industry with over 400 commercial manufacturing businesses in the country. They use 500,000 tons of wax every year and produce 2000 varieties of candles with over 10,000 available scents. Despite the fact that candle manufacturing is a major industry it is still a craft enjoyed by thousands and thousands of hobbyists who make candles in their homes. Candle making jars provide one of the most popular avenues for the home candle maker to pursue the candle craft.
Making candles in jars is a good choice for the beginner because it is very easy to accomplish and it offers many opportunities to express one’s creativity. That is probably one reason many crafters continue making jar candles as they progress up the skill ladder.
Jar candles are actually a sub-category of the container candle classification. They are simply candles in jars and the name generally refers to any glass container including: jars, mugs, glasses, tea cups, etc.. They are popular for many reasons including ease of use, ready availability and they offer all sorts of decorating possibilities.
Obtaining jars to use in candle making is not a difficult endeavor. Jars designated as candle jars are readily available from candle making suppliers but they can be as close by as your garbage container where empty jelly jars are discarded. Garage sales and flea markets are another place where suitable jars may be found or they can always be obtained in a hardware or big box store.
The actual making of the candles is fun and easy. All that is needed in addition to the jars is the wax, a double burner (two pots or pans of varying size), wicks, a good thermometer and colors or scents as desired. There are several types of wax available including the old standby paraffin wax, soy wax, beeswax, gel wax and others. Whichever you chose normally comes with instructions as to temperature requirements and they should be adhered to carefully. The best wicks to work with are those with clips attached at one end. These are little metal disks that can easily be fixed in the correct position in the bottom of the jar with a hot glue gun.
The composition of most waxes preclude them from being melted with direct heat and the double burner overcomes that condition. There are professionally built double burners available but don’t be intimidated by this situation. A double burner is something as simple as a larger pot for heating water and a smaller pot or container for holding the wax. The smaller container with the wax is placed in the water being heated in the larger container and as the water heats it melts the wax. When the wax melts to the recommended temperature colors and scents can be added and then the mixture is poured into the waiting jars. The melted wax pours easily because it has a consistency similar to water but care must be taken because it is very hot and can cause severe injury if spilled on someone. Also a fire extinguisher should be nearby anytime candle are being made.
The next step is to clean up the work area and wait for the candles to cool in their jars and then enjoy the fruits of your labor.
