About Candles

U.S. retail sales of candles are estimated at approximately
$2 billion annually, excluding sales of candle accessories.

Candles are used in 7 out of 10 U.S. households.

Candles generally can be categorized into 11 basic types: tapers, votives, pillars, container(or jar) candles, tealights, liturgical candles, outdoor candles, floating candles, novelty candles, utility candles, and birthday candles.

Manufacturer surveys show that 90% of all candles are purchased by women.

Votives, container candles and pillars are currently the most popular types of candles with American consumers.

Candle industry research indicates that the most important factors affecting candle sales are scent, color, cost and shape.

The retail price of a candle generally ranges from approximately 50¢ for a votive to $30 for a large pillar or jar candle. Highly unusual or embellished artisan candles can be $200 or more.

About the Industry

There are more than 400 commercial, religious and institutional manufacturers of candles in the United States, in addition to scores of small craft producers for local, non-commercial use.

NCA member companies account for more than 90 percent of all candles made in the U.S.

Candles are principally sold in three types of retail outlets:

specialty or gift shops;

department and home décor stores;

mass merchandisers (discount stores, drug store chains, grocery stores, etc.)

Approximately 35% of candle sales occur during the Christmas/Holiday season. Non-seasonal business accounts for approximately 65% of candle sales.

Major U.S. candle manufacturers typically offer between 1,000 and 2,000 varieties of candles in their product lines.

More than 1 billion pounds of wax are used in producing the candles sold each year in the U.S.

It is estimated that more than 10,000 different candle scents are available to U.S. consumers.

Candle-User Preferences

Consumers are increasingly purchasing candles as a focal point for their home décor, and for aromatherapy-like relaxation and stress reduction.

Fragrance is by far the most important characteristic impacting candle purchases today, with three-fourths of candle buyers saying it is “extremely important” or “very important” in their selection of a candle.

The majority of U.S. consumers use their candles within a week of purchase.

Nine out of ten candle users say they use candles to make a room feel comfortable or cozy.

Approximately three-fourths of candle users say they typically burn candles for 4 hours or less per sitting.

Candle users say they most frequently burn candles in the living room (42%), followed by the kitchen (18%) and the bedroom (13%).

Approximately one in five women say they use candles to decorate the yard, patio or other exterior areas, as well as the interior of their home.

Both men and women consider candles to be an always-acceptable and highly appreciated gift for a wide variety of occasions.

Candle purchasers say they view candles as an appropriate gift for the holidays (76%), as a house warming gift (74%), a hostess/dinner party gift (66%), a thank you (61%) and as adult birthday gifts (58%).

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.

Essentially an oil candle is a container of flammable oil with a wick.  That is the basic definition of an oil candle but they are much more.  They are similar to container candles in that they need a container to hold the fuel and the containers can be any object with a concave surface that will not burn.  This includes jars, bottles, tin cans, stones, etc.  They can be a thing of beauty or a practical lighting device.

More than likely everything needed to make an oil candle can be found in the average home.  Here is what the candle maker would need to make an oil candle:

Container -
Includes any glass jar or favorite wine bottle or a treasure found at a flea market.  They can include jar types like jelly, apothecary, mason, oval hex, etc.  An empty vienna sausage can would also work just fine.

Fuel -
It is recommended to use liquid paraffin oil but any oil would suffice.  Olive oil or any liquid vegetable oil works fine.

Wick -
An oil candle wick is anything similar to a kerosene lantern wick.  Wicks made specifically for oil candles are available from suppliers but any absorbable material will work.  Even a cotton ball elongated and wrapped around a tooth pick will get the job done.  Along with the wick a method of suspending the wick in the oil is necessary.

Supplements -
The beauty of oil candles can be enhanced with addition of such things as flower petals, fruit, beads, marbles etc.  Scents can be added also.

The procedure for making a basic oil candle is as follows:

- Choose the container for the candle.

- Fill the container to just below the top of the container(about 1/2 inch) with paraffin oil.

- Insert the wick into the oil and allow 1/2 inch of it to extend above the the suspension device which should center the wick in middle of the container

- Wait a few minutes for the oil to absorb into the wick and then light the         wick.

- Decorations and scents can be added at the candle maker’s option.

This is a description of the basic method of making an oil candle but there are many ways to make these type candles.  For instance another easy alternative would be to fill a wine bottle with 2/3 water first and then pour the oil on top.  Oil and water don’t mix so the oil would stay on top and then insert a lantern wick that has been split down the middle into the oil.   Suspend it at the top of the bottle with simple hardware nuts and washers with 1/2 inch of wick showing above the washer.  As soon as the oil moves up the wick as a result of capillary action it is ready to be lit and provide hours of clean burning comforting candle light.

Oil candles are a great choice as a centerpiece on a dining room table for a special occasion.  They burn odorless and clean without any soot or smoke residuals.  The warmth of glowing candles make them a great gift.  So oil candles are definitely something the candle maker should consider.

Safety is an important consideration in candle making because it involves working with very hot candle wax which can cause severe burns.  The first piece of equipment that a candle maker should have is a fire extinguisher due the fire hazards associated with candle making.

Most candles are made in the kitchen so it is a good idea to divide the production process into three work areas.  They are preparation, melting and cooling.  The preparation area is a small space next to the heating source, usually the stove, where the utensils, thermometer and all necessary supplies for the particular candle to made are laid out in an organized manner.

The melting area will probably be the stove.  It is here that the double boiler will be utilized.  A double boiler is nothing more than a larger pot with water that is heated on the stove and a smaller pot with the wax being placed into the heated water.  This is necessary because direct heat will damage the wax so that it produces undesirable candles.

The cooling area, This is the area where the molds or containers are readied in preparation for receiving the heated wax.  The cooling area should be a flat space near the melting area that can withstand high temperatures and remain undisturbed for the several hours it takes for the wax to cool.  Also it should not be in direct sunlight or in the path of any blowing air.   To set properly the candles need to be allowed to cure in peace and quiet.

A good thermometer is a necessity for successful candle making.  The quality of the finished product depends very heavily on the wax being heated to the correct temperature for the proper amount of time.  There are thermometers designed specifically for candle making available from suppliers but a good food thermometer will suffice.

Even though container candles are popular because of the unlimited design opportunities they bring to the candle maker another key piece of equipment needed is an assortment of molds.  Molds come in all sorts of sizes, shapes and materials and will only enhance the candle making experience.

The most essential element of the candle making process is the wax heating function. Again there are custom built devices available to melt wax but most candle makers do just fine with the kitchen stove along with the informal but efficient two pot double boiler system.

With this knowledge of candle making equipment a new candle maker can start making candles that will amaze and impress everyone.

The equipment needed to make soy candles is the same as that required to make candles with other natural or paraffin based waxes.  For the beginner or hobbyist candle maker that would include a double boiler which is simply a large pot used to heat water and a smaller pot or pan with the wax that is placed in the heated water.  Similar to the other waxes mentioned soy wax should not be exposed to direct heat.  In addition the candle maker would need a good quality thermometer, wicks, dyes, molds and scents.

The key component to soy candles is the wax and that would depend on the type candle to be produced.  There are three main types of candles one might choose from.

Pillars
Pillar candles as the name implies stand alone.  They are formed in molds and must be stiff enough to stand apart and straight while burning and when exposed to sunlight.  It is very important to use the correct wax for this type candle.  When purchasing wax the first consideration is to determine the type wax that is best formulated to make this type candle.

Containers
Again the name describes the type candle.  In this case the heated wax is poured into a container which becomes the permanent home for the candle.  A container can be anything that will hold heated wax.  Many times glass bottles and jars are used but any type material will do the job.  For container candles the wax should be softer than that used with pillar candles.since it will be poured into the container.  The softer wax will adhere to the container better and it will accept heavy doses of aromas.  When making soy candles in a container get the correct wax.

Votives
Votive candles are those thicker ones normally used in religious ceremonies.  They are usually burned while on a tray, plate or other supporting surface.  They don’t have to be as stiff as pillar candles and container wax is definitely too soft for this type candle.  They are formed in molds so the soy wax should be a little stiffer than container wax.  The softness of container wax would cause it to stick to the mold which would make it unworkable for votives.   So specify the correct soy wax for making votives.

Wicks are generally a key component in the production of candles but with soy candles wicks aren’t absolutely necessary.  Wickless soy candles offer a good method of enjoying their aromatic delights where flames are not allowed such as offices, dorm rooms or apartments.  A wickless soy candle on an electric candle warmer produces the same enjoyable fragrances as one with a burning wick.

If one is currently making candles it would be easy to make soy candles.  Except for the correct soy wax all the equipment and supplies currently being used would work for soy candles.

There are significant differences in the process of making gel candles as compared to paraffin candles.  Gel wax is heated to higher temperatures with direct heat and it is placed in permanent containers rather than molds.

Here are the steps to making a gel candle:

1. Melt the gel
2. Add Fragrance*
3. Add Color*
4. Pour into pre-wicked container
5. Add embeds *
6. Wait until cool
7. Light and enjoy
* optional

Melting the Gel

For beginners the best way to melt gel wax is in a heat resistance glass measuring cup or stainless steel pot.   Divide the gel wax into small pieces and put it in the oven at 225 degrees for one hour.  The gel should be heated to 225 degrees and carefully monitored with a good quality thermometer.   Advanced gel candle makers may prefer to use an electric gel wax heater designed specifically for the purpose.  They are similar in design to deep fat fryers and are normally equipped with temperature controls and they can speed up the candle making process.

Adding Fragrance and Color

These two elements are added while the wax is still in the heating vessel.   Fragrance should be added first at the rate of one half of fragrance oil per pound of gel.  The amount used will depend on a little experimentation by the candle maker to determine the amount required for their liking.  It is very important to use fragrances designed for use in gels.  They should  be non-polar and have a flash point of not less than 170 degrees.   Color is added to the gel while it is still hot and just after adding the fragrance.  Since gel candles are clear it important to not add too much color at once.  If liquid dyes are used they should be applied with a toothpick.  Even one drop of dye could be too much.  Color should be added very carefully with just a small amount at first and then more to attain the desired shade.  After the addition of scents and color to the gel it should be stirred with a metal utensil because other type materials will cause bubbles.

Pouring Into Containers

Gel candles are not molded but rather poured into a container that will be the home of the candle.  Glass containers are recommended so that the composition of the gel candle can be observed but any non-flammable repository will serve the function.   Special use wicks should be used.  Zinc wicks are preferred because cotton wicks absorb the gel and will not burn properly.  The wick should be secured in the correct position in the container with a hot glue application.  The heated gel wax should be poured into the container very slowly to minimize the formation of bubbles.  Secure the wick in the center of the container and you are ready to add embeds.

Add Embeds

An embed is any non-flammable object inserted into the gel mix with the purpose of making the candle unique in appearance.  Embeds include such items as glitter, pewter, marbles, seashells, figurines, etc.  They should be placed in the hot gel wax immediately after pouring and metal tongs should be used to place them in the mix.  If embeds are to added it is important to be judicious in making sure not to overload the mix and not leave enough gel in the container to burn properly.  Now you are done.

Let It Cool and Enjoy Your Labor

After the the candle cools trim the wick, light it up sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor and that’s it.

Gel candles are a little different to make but they can be spectacular creations so if you are into candle making you must try gel candles.

Paraffin wax is the most widely used today by the candle making community for several reasons.  It is available, it is economical to purchase and it is easy to work with in making a good candle but soy wax is giving it a run for the money.  Soy candles burn cleaner and they have a very pleasing natural aroma.  They are also 100% natural and soy wax melts at a lower temperature so it is easier to use in the production process.  Generally when a candle maker once uses soy wax they never return to the paraffin alternative.

The procedures for utilizing soy wax to make candles are very similar to those of paraffin wax use. An accomplished candle maker experienced in the utilization of paraffin wax should have no problem using soy wax.  As a matter of fact it will be a little easier.   The equipment and procedures are the same for both waxes.  A double boiler should be used to melt the soy wax.  A double boiler is simply one pot for heating water and another smaller pot for the wax that will be placed in the larger pot with the heated water.  This indirect heating method is necessary because direct heat will harm the wax and cause it to melt improperly.  A good quality thermometer is a necessity for making good quality candles because temperatures are critical.  The soy wax should be heated to 150 to 170 degrees and put into the mold immediately.  Long burn times could cause the candle to have a yellowish hue and if the wax cools too much prior to molding cracks could develop in the finished product.  If scents are to be added they should be applied just prior to putting the soy wax in the mold.  To obtain the optimum fragrance the amount of scenting agent should be be no more than one ounce per pound of soy wax.  Adding more scents will not increase the fragrance and could cause damage to the finished product.  Another tip is to let the heated soy wax in the mold cool slowly.  Speeding up the cooling process with water or refrigeration could also cause the candle to crack.

The two waxes discussed are very similiar.  There are a few differences. One of which is that soy wax is softer and this should be considered by the candle maker when choosing the shape of the candle to be made.  Paraffin wax would be better for novelty, taper and pillar candles.  Floating candles made with soy wax should not be larger than 3 inches in diameter.

The fact is that both waxes make good candles and it is up to the candle maker to decide which meets their particular preferences.  It should be remembered that it is a good idea to learn as  much about a craft as possible so that the doors to opportunity and accomplishment are as wide open as they can be.

For every candle shape there is a corresponding reverse shaped device that creates the form. These reverse shaping devices are candle molds.  The finished candle is a reverse impression of the mold and the final appearance of the candle will depend on the quality of the mold.  Standard candle molds are available where ever candle making supplies are sold but candle mold shapes are only limited by the imagination of the candle maker.

To be effective a candle mold must be able to hold it’s shape while the heated wax cools.   Candle molds are available in an assortment of styles, sizes and materials that cater to the type of candles being produced and preferences of the candle maker.  The following is a review of the different types:

Plastic Molds

These molds are very good for beginners because they are the most inexpensive and the most forgiving.  They are not as durable as other types but you tend to get what you pay for.  They clean easily with a little warm water and soap.  Plastic molds are great for starters but it is recommended to invest in better molds if the candle maker elects to move up in the craft levels.

Rubber molds

These are flexible molds that made from silicone, latex and polyurethane.   Polyurethane molds are frequently used to make pillar and taper candles.  This type mold definitely requires a releasing agent and it has a odor that can be transferred to the candle during molding.  They are flexible but they don’t stretch and they are usually a little cheaper than silicone molds.  Silicone molds are a favorite because they are durable and  elastic which makes demolding much easier and obviates the need for releasing agents.  Unfortunately they are a little more expensive but the added cost is well worth it to serious candle makers.

Aluminum molds

These are probably the most popular candle molds.  They are long lasting and less expensive than rubber molds.  They give candles a professional look because they hold their original shape.  Because of this they are often used to make pillar and votive candles.  Cleaning aluminum molds is easy.  Simply heat them to 150 degrees and any leftover wax will just run off.  Other considerations of these molds is that they require releasing agents to get the candles to part out of the mold.  In addition the mold form of an aluminum mold is rigid and cannot be altered so a different mold is required for each shape candle to be produced.

These are the three main type of molds used by candle makers today.  With this information an aspiring candle maker can confidently move ahead and join the candle maker’s party.

There are several types of scenting agents available to the candle maker and they can usually be obtained at retail establishments that offer hobby supplies or from online suppliers.  It is advisable to use oil scents rather than water or alchol based products because just about every candle making material is characterized as being an oil whether from  natural sources such as plants and animals or from refined petroluem.  The old adage of oil and water not mixing applies to candle wax and water or alchol as well.  A water based scent would only separate to the bottom of the liquid wax and not provide the candle with the desired aroma.

An interesting aspect of scented candles is that they can be enjoyed without being lit. They can emit their aromas continuously while they just sit on a shelf.  This amazing quality makes scented candles excellent gifts especially with the added touch of being handmade by the presenter.

Adding scents to candles requires only one additional step to the candle making process. The scents come in several forms including liquid, solid wax perfume chips and natural herbs and there are seemingly endless choices of aromas.   Different type waxes vary slightly in their application requirements.  There are natural waxes like palm, soy or beeswax and the petroleum based paraffin waxes.  The natural and paraffin waxes are the easiest to add aromas.  The general rule is to add one ounce of scenting agent per pound of wax just prior to adding the heated wax to the mold.  This will minimize evaporation of the scents.  Gel waxes are also easy to work with but they need to be heated a little more than the oil waxes.

The scenting process is conducted after the wax has been heated in the double boiler to around 175 degrees.  This should be carefully monitored with a reliable thermometer.  Just prior to transferring the heated wax into the mold the scenting agent should be added to the wax.  This will capture the maximum amount of the fragrance in the cooling wax.  The process is  similar when using gel wax except the gel should be heated to 200 degrees.

There is a tendency to increase the aromas by adding more of the scenting agent to the mix but in this particular situation more is not better.   Adding too much scenting material will not produce a stronger aroma but rather cause the candle itself to be pitted or mottled and make it harder to separate from the mold.  Too much fragrance could also cause the candle to burn improperly.

Fragrant aromas make candles even more special.  Scented candles become even more meaningful gifts or special additions to the candle makers home.   The addition of scents to candles is a very easy step to add to the production process and well worth the effort.

Paraffin Wax – This is a petroleum based product distilled from byproducts of the  crude oil refining process.  When combined with stearic acid it becomes an excellent product for candle making and it is very economical.  For these reasons it is the most widely used media in candle making today and the best product for a beginning candle maker to use in the learning process.

Soy Wax – A natural product made from the soy bean.   It is a domestically produced product and is very economical.  The most appealing feature of soy wax is that is clean burning and it emits a very pleasing natural aroma.  It is usually less expensive than paraffin wax and it is a pleasure to use in the making of candles because it melts fast and speeds up the process.  This is an excellent wax that deserves consideration by any candle maker.

Beeswax – Is highly desirable as a candle making product.  It was developed in the middle ages in an effort to eliminate the undesirable tallow candle features of smoke and odor.  Beeswax is clean burning and emits a wonderfully sweet aroma.  It is a natural substance that does not degrade over time as demonstrated by the fact that beeswax candles have been found in shipwrecks hundreds of years old that show no signs of deterioration.  Beeswax is more expensive than other waxes but many candle makers prefer it’s use because it is a purely natural product.  And because of the desirable characteristics of pleasant aromas, clean burning and durability that it lends to candles.

Gel - This is the standard clear gel with many arts and craft uses one of which being the making of candles.  It is a little more difficult to work with as a candle wax because it requires  higher temperatures to become workable and therefore necessitates more caution in the candle making process.  The biggest advantage to using gel wax is that it is clear and offers all sorts of creative decorating possibilities and it is odorless so it will accepts any other fragrance selection without interference.

Palm Wax – Another natural product made from a renewable source.  It is also clean burning with a pleasant aroma.

These are the types waxes most candle makers use.  It is up to the individual candle maker to choose the type that meets their preferences.  The next step for the new candle maker is make their choice and start making beautiful candles.