Candle making is a fun, easy and affordable hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Whether you are a beginner or experienced candle maker, the right supplies are essential for crafting beautiful candles.
This guide will help you find the best supplies to create your desired results. So, whether you want to make scented candles, soy candles or even hard wax candles, read on for everything you need to know about candle making supplies!
What Sort Of Projects Can I Make?
Check out this brilliant article which lists 11 Unique Candle Craft Projects! To get you inspired and crafting right away.
When it comes to candle making, there are a few key supplies you will need in order to get started, and lots of optional extras to make your life easier. We will start with the candle making essentials:
1 . Wax Or Candles (Of Course!)
Wax is obviously the key ingredient in any candle. There are many different types of wax available on the market, and it really comes down to the type of candle you want to create. The most popular choices for beginners are soy wax and paraffin wax. Both of these waxes are relatively easy to work with and provide good results.
If you are looking for a more eco-friendly option, soy wax is a great choice. It is made from renewable vegetable resources and has a low melting point, making it easy to work with. soy wax also burns slowly and evenly, giving your candles a long life.
Paraffin wax is a petroleum-based product, so it is not as eco-friendly as soy wax. However, it is less expensive and has a higher melting point, making it easier to work with for beginners. Paraffin wax also holds colour and scent well, so it is a good choice if you want to add these elements to your candles.
2. Wicks
You have a couple of main choices when it comes to wicks, you can go for the most common type of cotton wicks or experiment with wood wicks which create a more rustic look.
Cotton wicks are the most popular type of wick as they are easy to use and provide good results. They are also widely available and relatively inexpensive.
Wood wicks are less common, but they are becoming more popular as people look for alternatives to traditional candles. Wood wicks provide a more natural look and also create a crackling sound when they burn, which can be very soothing.
3. Jars/Containers
The type of container you use for your candles will depend on the look you are going for. You can use anything from mason jars to teacups, as long as they are heat resistant. If you want to get really creative, you could even up-cycle an old wine bottle! (Click here to check out wine bottle candles)
4. Candle Making Tools
When it comes to candle making tools, there are literally hundreds of options available on the market today. So to keep it simple we have only included the essentials, there are a few optional tools which we recommend further down this article which simply make your candle making a lot more efficient.
The first tool we recommend is a double boiler, there is alternatives but in our opinion this is essential for melting your wax without burning it. If your new to candle craft and don’t want to buy a double boiler just yet, you can easily make your own by filling a pan with water and placing a heat-resistant bowl on top.
Top Tip: If using a Bowl be sure to get one with a spout, this will make pouring your candles much easier!
Our pick for the best budget friendly double boiler for home use is the Marsheepy 1000ml Double Boiler.
The second tool which is truly an essential is a good thermometer, this will help you to achieve consistent results with your candles. The ideal temperature for pouring wax is between 60-70 degrees Celsius. If your wax is too hot, it can cause your candles to tunnel (burn down the middle) and if it’s too cold, your candles will be weak and difficult to light.
The Ideal Candle Thermometer from Thermometer World Store is our top pick for a good quality thermometer which wont break the bank.
The third and final essential tool we recommend is a wood or silicone spoon/spatula, this is for stirring your wax as it melts and also for pouring the wax into your containers.
Get a really good quality set here.
5. Fragrances
If you want to add scent to your candles, there are many different types of fragrances available on the market. You can use essential oils, but the scent can be very strong. Or you can use synthetic fragrances specifically designed for making candles, we recommend these as you will get the perfect scent without it being overpouring.
There are many fragrances available on the market today, but we found this really good set that’s perfect to get you started. Check it out here.
That’s it for the essentials, now lets take a look at a few optional extras to make your candle craft super easy.
1. Candle Dye
The first optional extra is candle dye, this makes it easy to get beautifully coloured wax to match your chosen scent.
You can buy candle dye in both liquid and block form.
– This is the easiest form of candle dye to use, and allows you to easily achieve bold colours simply add a few drops to your melted wax and stir well.
– This form of dye is best used if you want a more subtle colour, as you can grate the block into your melted wax to get the perfect shade.
2. Candle Moulds
If you want to get really creative with your candle making, then candle moulds are a great way to do it. You can use moulds to create just about any shape or design you can think of!
There are loads of silicone moulds on the market suitable for candle making here’s a link to a few that we love.
3. Candle Wick Holder
Now this one is optional you can always use chopsticks of pencils, but the biggest benefit to a wick holder is that you get a perfectly cantered wick every time. Which may be essential if you plan on selling your creations.
Another way to achieve a perfectly cantered wick is to glue your wick to the bottom of your container with a small amount of hot glue. Allow it to dry and then proceed to fill with wax as normal.
4. Scales
A good set of scales for weighing out you wax is always going to be useful, especially if you want to recreate the same candle. You can use your scales for weighing colour blocks too to get the exact colour every time.
We recommend these Salter scales as they are really accurate and easy to use.
5. Heat Gun
A heat gun is a great tool for candle making as it allows you to melt the wax evenly without having to worry about it burning. This is especially useful when working with large blocks of wax.
Heat guns are perfect for tidying up unwanted wax drips and repairing small cracks.
You can pick up a good quality heat gun at most hardware stores, or alternatively you can find one here.
That’s it for our guide to candle making supplies! We hope you found it helpful and that you’re now armed with all the knowledge you need to get started on your candle making journey. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below. Happy candle making!
If you enjoyed this article we are sure you will like our other articles on candle craft click the button to check them out!
A Few Commonly Asked Questions
Why Candle Craft?
Crafting your own candles is a great way to save money and get exactly what you want out of a candle. It’s also a fun activity to do alone or with friends, and it’s a great way to relax.
Candles also do really well at craft fairs and as gifts, so if you’re looking for a new hobby that could make you some extra cash, candle making could be it!
I personally know someone making a full time income from candles, crafting centre pieces for weddings and events so there are opportunities to turn your hobby into a business if that’s something you wanted to do!
What Are The Best Fragrance Oils For Candle Making?
The best fragrance oils for candles are those that are specifically designed for candle making. Candle fragrance oils are different from essential oils in that they are already diluted, so you don’t have to worry about them being too strong.
Some of the best candle fragrance oils on the market come from companies like Natures Garden and CandleScience.
You can check out our favourite oils by clicking the button below.
