Introduction
Pillar candles have a long history, with evidence of their use for religious ceremonies and decoration going back centuries. Today, pillar candles are still widely used in rituals and celebrations, but also serve an important purpose as a decorative item for the home. With proper care and maintenance, long-lasting pillar candles can be made that not only provide warmth and light to any room but also create a stunning visual effect at the same time.
In order to make quality pillar candles that are safe to use, it is important to follow some key tips. Start by selecting the right type of wax for the project. Waxes such as beeswax or soy wax provide better results due to their low melting points, giving you more control over candle size and shape. For best results, use wicks specifically designed for pillar candles so that the flame is properly fueled. Once the desired shape has been obtained and the appropriate amount of wax has been melted, wait until the candle cools before cutting off excess wick length or trimming away any blemishes on its surface. Finally, avoid overcrowding excess wick when full burning conditions are in place as it can lead to sooting along with possible fire hazard.
Candle Materials
In addition to the tools needed to make a pillar candle, you will also need wax, a container for melting it (such as a double boiler), an appropriate wick (or two if you plan to make multiple candles at once) and color or essential oils. You may want to use pre-colored wax or add crayon shavings or dye chips to enhance the color of your candle. Before you get started, make sure that you have all your supplies laid out in front of you.
Once everything is ready and laid out in front of you, begin by measuring your wax into the double boiler. Make sure that when it begins to melt that it does not get too hot; otherwise, it can cause the oil smells of your wax to evaporate! Using a spoon, stir your mixture until all the pieces are melted down before lowering the heat and adding any color or scenting oil.
After adding any extra ingredients and stirring thoroughly once more, slowly fill each candle mold with your cooled wax mixture using either a small spoon or pouring pot. Make sure not to overfill the molds – level them off with a spoon if need be – then attach wicks into each one. It is important to leave some excess wick sticking above each candle as this will help ensure even burning later on.
Preparing the Wax
To melt and pour wax for pillar candle making, one should first add the clean wax pellets to the double boiler. Set the heat at medium-heat and wait until all of the pellets have melted. A thermometer can be used to ensure that it reaches a temperature of around 160-170 degrees Fahrenheit. Once melted, carefully remove the boiler from heat and slowly stir in any dyes, fragrances or additives desired. To avoid air bubbles, slowly pour the wax into each molded vessel a few drops at a time. Allow the candles to cool completely before removing them from their molds. Let them sit overnight before burning so they can adhere more strongly in their container and achieve a smoother surface.
Adding Color and Scent
When it comes to adding color and scent to your pillar candle, the possibilities are endless! To mix colors, start by heating up two separate vats of wax. One should remain pure, while you can experiment with different combinations in the other vat. Once you have achieved a desired color in your second vat, pour it into molds or containers and allow it to cool before pouring into the pillar candle mold. When pouring multiple colors of wax, work quickly so that the colors hold true and don’t run together.
When adding scent to a pillar candle, you will need to experiment with various amounts of scent oil until you have achieved the desired level of aroma in your wax. Make sure to never exceed the manufacturer’s suggested amount for fragrance oils as this may cause overheating and cracking. Start by adding a small amount of oil at a time and always let the candle fully cool before adding more fragrance oil. Once you find the perfect combination of scent and color for your pillar candles, stick with it for consistent results!
Finishing Touches
Finishing touches are an important part of pillar candle making. After the candles have cooled and hardened, you can add decorations such as wax shavings, sanding stones or other items for texture. Embossing is a popular choice for adding a personalized touch to your pillar candles. Embossing involves etching letters, numbers or words directly onto the sides of the pillar with heated tools such as a stylus. With wax dyes, you can also add color or tinting to further personalize your creations. To finish your candle off nicely, consider some of the different wax coatings available to give it shine and protect it from dust and dirt. While not every candle will require all of these finishing touches, it’s always a good idea to consider how you can best use them in your designs.
Burning Tips
Ventilation is essential when burning pillar candles. Without proper air flow, the candles may become smoky and create a buildup of soot which can affect the scent and appearance of the candle. It is important to never leave the candles unattended while they are burning and always keep them away from flammable materials, children, or pets. Additionally, you should avoid grouping too many pillar candles together to help ensure proper air flow around each candle. Always make sure the wick size and length are appropriate for the type of wax used in order to maximize the burn time for your pillar candles. Lastly, trimming the wicks regularly between uses will help prevent excessive smoke or soot buildup as well as promote an even burn. With a little extra care and attention taken when lighting and burning your pillar candles, you can enjoy beautifully scented room decor pieces with minimal risk or mess for years to come!
Conclusion
One creative way to use pillar candles is to turn them into centerpieces. A nice centerpiece can be made by placing a tall, wide-based pillar candle in the middle of a dish of rose petals or some other decoration. This can be used as a focal point for the table setting, or just as part of the decor in any room. Pillar candles can also be used to create an ‘altar’ for rituals and ceremonies. For example, individuals might place several pillar candles in a circle around an object meaningful to them, such as a photograph or family heirloom. Additionally, pillars are also great for making decorative lights around a garden space or deck/patio area. Pillar candles placed into sturdy holders allow you to have beautiful lighted areas around your outdoor areas that won’t easily blow away! Finally, one more creative way to use Pillar Candles is in ‘floating’ centerpieces for special events. This involves placing scented floating tealights on top of floral foam, suspending them inside glass cup type containers with water inside – and then adding one or two larger pillar candles along the sides of the containers surrounding the tealights. It’s a really stunning look that will provide interesting conversation pieces and superior illumination when lit up!
Welcome to my candle making blog! In this blog, I will be sharing my tips and tricks for making candles. I will also be sharing some of my favorite recipes.
