For a perfect thoughtful gift no matter what the occasion, try giving a loved one a handmade pillar candle with only a few simple supplies. Purchase wax as well as wicks and molds, if desired, at a local craft store. You can buy these supplies in Harrisburg at Joann Fabrics on Jonestown Road.
Choose and set up your candle mold. You can use an empty aluminum can with the bottom cut out or you can purchase a mold at the same place where you purchase your other supplies. For a special occasion, consider using metal cookie cutters in appropriate shapes – such as hearts, Christmas trees or a graduation cap – for one-of-a-kind candles. Spray the inside of the mold with vegetable oil before adding the wax so that the dried candle may more easily be removed. Place the wick precisely in your mold by laying a pencil across the top of the mold, setting the wick inside so that it reaches the bottom and taping the top of the wick to the pencil so that it stands upright.
Use a double boiler or a homemade makeshift double boiler to melt your wax to 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Add oil-based fragrance if desired; follow the instructions on the oil’s packaging to determine how much to use. Mix the fragrance in with your melted wax.
Sort through discarded or broken crayons – or purchase a new set – to find those which will combine to create the hue of your choice for your candle. Toss pieces of your selected crayons into the double boiler along with the wax so that they may melt and mix with the wax. When you’ve achieved the color of your choosing, transfer the mixture to your mold. Wait 24 hours before moving the candle so that it may set, then remove it from the mold and trim the wick to approximately a quarter of an inch.
You can easily customize your homemade candles even further according to your tastes. Mix up different colors separately and add them to your mold in layers, waiting for each layer to set before adding another. Toss glitter into your mixture for a sparkly candle, or insert small objects for someone to find when burning the candle. Use seashells or any other non-flammable items to embed in the candle.
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