Back to the Basics:
Candle Making 101

       Welcome to "Back to the Basics". This regularly featured section gives you tips and ideas on how to make some of your own basic goods, such as candles, soaps, oils, and potpourri. This section was created for those who wish to get "back to the basics" and simplicities of life. Also in making your own goods, you can choose your own colors, and fragrances to add to them; thereby adding a touch of your energy and creativity to it. We hope you enjoy the articles and have fun creating your own household goods.

       This issue's tip is for creating your own candles. Many people use candles when praying, or meditating, or just to add light, fragrance, and atmosphere to a room. Whatever your reason for using candles, I'm sure you'll find this article useful and informative.

       Before electricity and gas lamps were invented, candles were the main staple in every household. Because of that, candles were generally made in the home. Though you could purchase them it was quite expensive.

       Candle making was a home craft done during the fall or autumn season so that a fresh supply of candles would be ready for the early darkness of winter. Candles were mostly made of tallow. tallow is the liquefied fat of an animal. All year round families would save fat from cows, pigs, geese, bears and other animals and keep it in a large barrel.

       When fall arrived the fat would then be boiled in huge outdoor kettles and skimmed time and time again until only a clear liquid remained. Then a wooden rod hung with lengths of cotton was dipped repeatedly into the molten tallow. They were then hung on a rack to cool and harden. The process was repeated until the dipped cotton or wicks fattened into candles. The candles were then carefully stored in a wooden chest, safe from mice and other pest that were fond of eating them.

       Making candles in this way was a time consuming task, fortunately today we can get already prepared wax and wicks at hobby and craft shops. Or we can use our own wax ends from old candles to make new ones.

       Simply melt the wax then add your desired scent in the form of essential oils, or add a handful of dried herbs to the liquefied wax before dipping or molding.To color your candles, simply add crayon pieces to melted wax. Make sure to mix the color thoroughly into the wax.Once the wax is in a liquefied state and you have added your color and scents simply take a wick and tie it to a pencil then dip the wick into the wax, wait a few minutes between dips. Continue the process until the candle is at the desired thickness.

2nd Method

       If you don't have the time to dip your own candles, molding them might be easier. for this you will need the following.

Written by Sacredwriter1