The nights are getting darker, I will be watching Lord of the rings (at least twice a week) with a glass or two of wine and lots of candles burning!! I'm starting to think about candle making because it's getting dark and some cosy nights in are on the way - I have NEVER made a candle in my life and was wondering where to start - I do have some ecowax, local beeswax (alot) some wicks and plastic moulds - is it a case of melt the ingredients and put in a mould or is it ALOT more complicated than that...sorry to be bit ignorant and I'm sure I will become hooked on candle making once I get going - but just need some tips please!!

I wish I could help but I have no idea, never made a candle before. I have seen some really gorgeous candles in glass containers though, some country style ones in those lovely pot bellied lidded jars, or very modern square glass containers, with different coloured and scented waxes poured in layers, some straight, some at angles.... looked fab. Really looking forward to seeing your efforts, I am sure you will be just as good as that as everything else.

Keillys   ---You are a Human Tornado. You make all this amazing stuff and will make wonderful candles too. I am just in awe XXXXXXXXXXX

I think PS makes candles, Soheila does.

Until someone come along take a look here

Thanks girls xx When I get an idea in my head - thats it....it has to be done - I can be a bit obsessive like that, my friends all laugh and say "oh no what she making/doing now" - I must be a nightmare to live with!! But I do love trying to be creative!!
Just had a look at the link EJ and it's quite good!Thanks!
 Does anyone know anything about the beeswax and ecowax? Wondering if I could mix them?

We have discussed candles fleetingly on and off but I will certainly be watching this thread with interest 

I've been planning to make'em too! It suddenly occured to me that it is something I can do anywhere, not necessarily in the UK and I dont need a SA. So thats my plan for the long cold winter.

AW's newsletter says that candle prices are rising rapidly - oil prices filtering through so best et your materials stocks in if you're thinking of selling and keep your eyes on a few candle websites re current prices.

I made many a candle back in ze day.  Depending on where you are, I found I saved a mint on molds and so forth by saving juice cartons and the circular frozen juice tins from the supermarkets in the states.  All you have to do is tear them off and you're set!

Beeswax is the hottest wax - unlike paraffin or other conventional waxes, this has to get rather hot before it melts and if you get it on your skin, it's agony.  So be CAREFUL.  However, beeswax lasts longer. 

I haven't had a whole lot of experience with molds as I was often too skint to buy them - but as my son drinks plenty of juice, I just used that, or milk cartons, provided they're no wider than about three inches in diameter (what is that, the one litre cartons here?  something like that).  What you'll need then is a big pan, some proper wicks and if you're so inclined, the "wick savers" (those metal bits that go on the end of the wick).  I never bothered - I'd just put a small hole in the bottom of the carton, put the wick in, tie a knot in the wick so it's bigger than the hole, then put a bit of tape over that.  Sometimes it does leak a bit so be warned - I tended to place them on a flat baking tray or something similar.

I cut the cartons down to about five inches high (you can vary the height for interest), then wrap the other end of the wick around some skewers, chopsticks, or whatever will rest over the top of the carton.  Make sure the wicks are straight and centred, or your candles won't burn properly.  You can tape the wicks in place, but I often would just come back and tug them a bit to make sure they straightened out.

Melt your wax - I did this on the stove in a castoff pan I would only use for candles, as there's a goodly chance you'll never get all the wax out of it, ever.   You could do this with a microwave and a pourable glass container, but you want to be careful not to overheat the lot as beeswax will smoke if it's too hot.  Normally I heat it until there's still a small lump floating about in the melted wax, and I give a stir with a skewer until it's fully melted - that way it's not too hot.

Pour your wax into your prepared "molds" - be careful not to knock the wicks to one side.  You are going to want to reserve a bit of wax in your pouring jug, because wax has a tendency to "tunnel" around the wick when it cools - top up by remeling your reserved wax as needed.  You want an even surface.  You may notice your molds tend to distort a bit and become more "diamond" shaped.  I've rectified this sometimes by placing them in plastic cups to hold them steady...and then found myself using the plastic cups to make candles (but I'd invert these candles as they burned more nicely that way).  After several hours, unmold by tearing off the cartons, trim your wick, cutting it even with the bottom, and leave about 2cm at the top, no longer.

When you burn a candle, burn it till the wax pool is within about .5 cm away from the rim of the candle - it's about a hour for every inch (those American measurements again!).  Wax has a "memory", and you might have noticed your pretty pillar candles never burn right if you blow them out too soon the first time you lit them!  But burn them for a good steady period the first time round and you'll be fine.

These aren't fancy candles but they are functional - candles are actually a lot cheaper to buy these days than to make, but if you've already got the supplies, go for it!

WOW.. thanks for that SG! Am off right now to have a go...anyone want some piccies

Why on earth would we want piccies Keilly 

Right then...am back! Thats was quite quick and painless ....melted my two waxes together added ginger & grapefruit EO blend to be a bit christmassey and added orange slices - BUT will wait until dark to do the real test - but for you piccie lovers here's some for a taster.....

More... more.... we want more!!!!  The slices are really effective.  They would look great with an orange, clove and cinnammon flavoured one. 

Is that the eco wax?  What is eco wax?  Is it a blend of different waxes or just soya wax 

P.S.  Blimey... that was quickety quick!! 

Not quite sure what eco wax is...could be soya wax - I will have to go back to where I brought it from and check!! Well they are setting nicely BUT the orange slices have become a bit hidden in the wax - but I will be patient!! I will, I will!! The smell is divine though - a blend of grapefruit, ginger, cedarwood and geranium...umm!!Given me an idea for soap!!

Bet the room smell gorgeious - waiting for pics in the dark!