Candlestick Maker

Let’s just preface this post by mutually agreeing that my previous life’s occupation was not candlestick making.

How hard could it be? I thought. But- ugh. This was not fun.

Before I actually started this project, I was ready to full on quit my day job and make freaking candles all day. Seriously, I was completely delusional.

But I learned three things during my warp-speed time spent candle making:

1. Wax takes LITERALLY FOREVER to melt. Forever and impatient don’t coexist peacefully in my universe.

2. It is not fun, and is nearly impossible, to clean wax off of bowls, spoons, counters, floors etc. Impatience kicks in…forever starts taking over… It’s bad. And annoying. And will probably make your Dad mad if you’ve set up shop in yours parents kitchen.

3. No matter how cute recycled wine bottles are, or little vintage teacups may seem- these are worth your time and money to buy off of Etsy. Screw DIY.

But just incase you are not convinced- here’s my quick tutorial:

1. Ask brother/dad/uncle/neighbor/husband (but really ask husband last because he will think you are ridiculous for wanting to make candles)/friend/grandpa etc. to cut your wine bottles down to whatever size you want. My brother, Nick, scored these in a vice, then ran them under cold and hot water to get a clean break. He’s a patient engineer. Are we really related?

2. Gather materials: wax block or flakes, candle dye, and candle scents if you want them. And candle wicks with the little silver flat thing at the bottom. I’m a technical candle-term expert.

3. Add flakes or chopped up pieces of wax, coloring, and essential oil to a glass bowl. Using a double boiler, melt the wax over simmering water. You could do this in the microwave. Better yet, have your patient engineer brother do this for you.

4. Pour molten wax into tea cup or wine bottle. Immediately insert wick and scramble around trying to find something to hold the wick in place. We settled on wooden skewers but even they did not do a perfect job.

5. Wait for candles to harden, cry, then repeat melting process to fill in the large crater like hole that will inevitably appear in your candle. It’s some scientific issue. That giant hole.

6. Avoid looking at husband who’s face tells you that he knows he was right about how dumb candle making was.

7. Check out these great tutorials from more experienced (or more patient?) candle crafters: click bolded text after each picture for links.