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Candle Pixie > Making Votive Candles
Making Votive Candles
Most people find that making presents themselves and not just buying something in a store is a very good idea, but they don't know what to make and where to start. Why not surprise someone you care about by presenting them with votive candles you made yourself.
Whether your candles are colored or not, you can always decorate them and in that way add a personal touch to each and every one of them, or send a special note with every candle.
If you have never made candles before, making votive candles is a good place to start because votives are one of the easiest kinds of molded candles to make. So lets get crackin', one step at a time.
1. Set up a double boiler to a temperature of 175° F, or check the manufacturers information on the wax to see which temperature is optimal, because candle wax melting point and flashpoint can vary by manufacturer and batch. Melt your wax completely and then, if you want, you can add additives, then fragrance oil and at the end, the dye you have decided upon. Be sure to mix thoroughly, but try not to introduce air into the mixture.
2. Put the votive molds on some old newspapers or waxpaper in order to protect your surfaces and ease in cleaning up. Then fill your votive molds, trying to get the wax just up to the lip of the mold without over flowing. Save about 20% of your wax, you'll need it later.
3. The next step is to take pre-tabbed wicks, straighten them a bit, and insert them into the center of each mold. When the tabs have stuck to the bottom of the molds, wait for a while for them to form a stronger bond with the base, and then you can straighten the wicks more easily. Leave your votive candles to cool completely, for at least 3 hours.
4. You will find that the wax has shrunk, and this is when you take the rest of the wax, heat it to about 185-190° F, and fill the molds to a level just slightly above the lip of the mold. Then you again leave your votives to cool.
5. After your votive candles have completely cooled down, you will easily get them out of the molds. If you should have any trouble with this, try putting them in the freezer for 5 minutes first.
That's it! Your votives are done. All you need to do is put them in a votive candle holder, and enjoy!