anyone know anything about making candles?

Question

I want to start making candles, just as a hobby. But the thing is I know nothing about it. So I have a few questions:

-What are all the supplies that I'll need?
-Are any supplies better than others?
-Can I get everything I need at AC Moore?
-Can crayons be used for coloring?
-What can be used for coloring and scenting?
-What are different types of candles that can be made (different techniques, etc)
-Anything else I need to know?

Thanks so much to anyone who answers..I have no clue what I'm doing here! =D

AC Moore is a craft store.

Answer 1

It is a pretty extensive hobby to get in to.
Supplies, good heavy pot. We used a hot plate to heat the wax, took 3 hours to heat several pounds (12- 18 lbs)
Decide on what kind of wax. Parafin is cheaper but it is an oil by product. Soy is renewable, but more expensive. Beeswax is very expensive.
You will need molds and wicks, wick centering tool, a pouring can.
Yes, crayons can be used to tint a candle. For scenting, you need essential oils, you can find them at the arts and crafts store or online. I have bought molds from E Bay.
Different techniques?? Besides molding candles? You can dip them, like the old fashioned tapers, can pour into a glass container and leave them, roll up flat beeswax candles.
If you do a search on the internet, you will find all of the info that you ever wanted to know... and Pix, too!!!

Answer 2

I don't know what AC Moore is but many hobby and craft stores will have all of the supplies that you will need. When I was a kid we made candles. We used an old coffee pot to melt the wax. We did use crayons for colors because there were more colors than what the hobby store had.
You will probably want some molds. You can buy the wax at the hobby store or we found it was actually cheaper to buy paraffin at the grocery store. As for scents you can use many things. Even extracts from the spice aisle like mint or vanilla. Hobby store should also have oils for scenting. Thdey should also have books with different ideas.

Answer 3

()You will need paraffin, wicks, coloring, fragrance oil, mold(s), heat source, wax container, water pan
(2)Some oils r better than others
(3)??? - this a craft store? craft store will have supplies and booklets on candlemaking.
(4)most use dyes, might take a lot of crayons to get a strong coloring
(5)see above
(6)There r dipped, molded, and rolled candles

(7)DO NOT put the wax container directly over the heat source - this makes wax easy to overheat and cause a boilover resulting in a KITCHEN FIRE or at least smell of wax in house. "Buffer" the heat by putting the wax container in a pan of water and heating that.
The molded r most common and have secondary treatments that give them variety - ice cube, peeled, fancy outer shells
Rolled candles r often made of beeswax sheet

Answer 4

Why not begin with a kit from Michael's Crafts or craft supplies as a test run and beginning lessons?
I'll bet Michael's even has a free or low cost lesson, too!
If you do decide to continue, it can be expensive and the one place I used a lot was GloryBee.
http://www.glorybee.com/glorybee/Index.html
They have all the supplies and books and Great prices for most.
I did end up finding a different oil scent supplier, but only because I got into bath/shower items, too!
ADDED: I used a slow cooker with a thermstat to melt my wax; it was fast and safe. I didn't burn myself as much.

Answer 5

Try going to a crafts store. They sell a lot of cheap paperback books on how to do that. They also may have free or low-cost one-day courses.

Courses might also be available at local adult ed places. Call them and ask.

Answer 6

all you need is a large wick and alot of wax melt the wax dip the wick and repeat every 2 minutes soon it will make a layer of way then it will be a whole candle

Answer 7

i recommend http://www.candlesupply.com/instructions.html. They sell supplies and the instructions are good. They make candles and the forum provides plenty of information for users of all experience levels.