Candle DIYs

Teaching beginners how to DIY their own beautiful candles

Candle Making for Beginners: ONLY What You Need to Know (Video Included!)

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Do you love candles? Yes? Do you love MAKING candles? Not sure? Did you know that making candles is actually REALLY easy? Read on to learn all about candle making for beginners, and be sure to watch the video tutorial to see candle making in action.

Nine tea lights on a white background

It’s human nature to avoid things that seem complicated or that we’re unsure about. That’s exactly how I felt when I first became interested in candle making. I’m a pretty crafty person who’s also obsessed with LIGHTING candles…but MAKING candles?!

It seemed scary and complicated. Well, I’m here to tell you that it’s NOT!

If you’re reading this, you’re probably in a similar boat to where I was before I started. Not to worry—I’m here to be your candle-making-for-beginners guru and guide you step-by-step through the process.

Candle Making for Beginners Supplies

Candle making can be a very intricate art form involving scents, colors, techniques, etc.

However, this is a basic list for beginners—only what you absolutely NEED to get started making candles.

  • Wax – There are a few different kinds of wax, but soy wax is one of the best waxes for easy DIY candle making, so this post will focus on soy wax
  • Wicks – You can’t light a candle without a wick!
  • Wick stickers – These are small, double-sided stickers to help your wick stick to the bottom of the jar while the wax is drying. These may not seem necessary but they are very helpful and are often sold together with the wicks.
  • Wick holder (sold with the wick stickers) – This will help hold the wick(s) upright as the wax is drying in the jar.
  • Candle jars or tins – There are SO many ways to make fun and unique candles using various types of containers. As this is a beginner candle-making post, I’d suggest using some basic jars or tins.
  • Candle wax stirring spoon – To stir the wax as it’s melting
  • Double boiler – Or you can make your own with a pot and a heat-safe container.
  • Stove – Or a hot plate with a heat-safe container if you don’t have access to a stove and double boiler.
  • Oven mitts and heat protection – You’ll be working with boiling water and hot wax.

You can purchase all of these candle-making supplies items separately as needed, or you can purchase them all together in a kit. (Read about my favorite candle-making starter kit here!)

Lit candles on a white background

Candle-Making Safety Tips

You are working with heat, hot wax, boiling water, fire, flames, etc.—basically all dangerous stuff. I can’t stress this enough. Candle making is fun but you must use caution and be vigilant.

These are some safety tips to help guide you, but it is YOUR responsibility to ensure the safety of you and those around you during the candle-making process.

Group of yellow candles on a white background
  • Use necessary heat protection, such as oven mitts. An apron can also help provide protection from accidentally splattered wax. Also, consider long sleeves for your arms.
  • Only use supplies that are heat resistant or meant for candle making.
  • If you make your own double boiler, make sure you are using the appropriate safe items to do so.
  • Always keep a clean workspace.
  • Minors should be accompanied by an adult during the candle-making process.
  • For hobby candle makers, a respirator mask isn’t typically necessary, but you may choose to wear one if you have health issues. I have no medical knowledge when it comes to this, but am mentioning it for the purpose of covering safety basics.

For more on candle safety, see my post on candle-making safety tips for beginners.

three lit candles on a tan background

Step-by-Step Candle-Making Instructions For Beginners

  1. Prepare your jar. Clean it and make sure it’s ready to be used.
  2. Add your wick. Stick one side of a wick sticker to the bottom of a wick, then stick the other side of the sticker to the bottom center of the jar.
  3. Feed the top of the wick through the wick holder and set the holder down across the top of the jar.
  4. Melt your wax using a double boiler or hot plate. Stir the wax as you go to help it melt.
    • There are formulas online for exactly how much wax to melt for different-size candles, but to get started, you can just estimate and then melt more as needed. Melting wax is a very quick process so you can easily melt more to keep filling the candle before it solidifies.
  5. Pour the wax into the container. Remember to use heat protection as you’re working with the double boiler or hot plate and wax.
  6. Allow the candle to solidify for a few days before lighting it.
    • Note that if you’re making a SCENTED candle, soy candle wax needs more time to “cure” (this means allowing the fragrance oil to disperse throughout the candle). This typically takes one to two weeks. This timeline also varies between different types of wax.
  7. Cut the wick to 1/4 an inch before lighting your new candle. You should cut the wick to this height throughout the candle’s life, too.

You’re done! It’s not as complicated as you thought, right?

Now that you’ve got the basics down, put your skills to the test with these quick candle-making projects for beginners. And, if you’re on a budget, I’ve got you covered with these budget-friendly candle-making ideas!