Home Candle Making Kits

What are Home Candle Making Kits?

If you are new to this craft, a kit with all of your candle making supplies will make it easier for you to create the perfect candela. Kits allow you to choose exactly what you want in a candle down to the wax and type of wick. Companies offer either prepackaged sets or ones where you pick specific scents, colors and styles.

Prepackaged Kits

These home candle making kits come already prepared with most of your supplies in one box. You can purchase kits to make votive, pillar or pretty much whatever kind of candle you want. Prepackaged kits usually come with the following:

• Candle molds
• Wax chips
• Wicks
• Dyes
• Scents
• Instructions

While each of the sets come with a few supplies, you may still need to purchase some others from a craft store including stirring sticks and a thermometer. The prepackaged sets also are limited to what scents and dyes you receive.

Create Your Own Kits

For the more experienced crafter, putting together your own home candle making kit can be fun. Many companies offer a large variety of scents and dyes, as well as wicks, molds and types of wax.

Candle Scents

Picking the right scent for a candle can be as important as choosing the style. The fragrance tells a little bit about the person who created the candle. Some online stores offer more than 100 different fragrances to choose from, including:

• Bamboo
• Banana nut bread
• Carrot cake
• Fresh cut grass
• Orange cranberry
• Sunflower

Candle Dyes

Candle dyes come in chips, blocks or liquid, but all create colorful candles. And remember, a little bit also goes a long way, so you don't need to buy a lot. Some of the colors -- which of course can be mixed to create other ones -- are:

• Colonial blue
• Fushia
• Lavender
• Sunshine yellow
• Teal
• Salmon

Candle Wax

There are many choices in the type of wax used in a home candle making kit. Each has its advantages and it's important to understand the differences. My Craftbook.com offers descriptions of the different waxes, which include:

• Paraffin
• Beeswax
• Bayberry
• Soy
• Gel
• Jelly
• Starburst
• Microcrystalline
• Wax crystals

Candle Care and Storage

Since candles will fade over time in color and fragrance, proper care and storage will ensure they last as long as possible. Here are some ways to keep your candles looking and smelling their best:

• Do not place in direct sunlight.
• Remove carbon buildup on wicks after burning.
• After cooling, place in sealed plastic bags or containers and place in refrigerator. The candles will burn more slowly and evenly.
• When burning multiple candles, place them at least three inches apart.
• Do not stack candles on top of each other to prevent them from bending.
• Do not freeze candles. It will cause them to crack.

Where to Buy

Many places online offer a variety of home candle making kits:

• Cajun Candles sells beginning candle making kits with simple instructions. You will also find several tips and tricks to easy candle making.
• Crafter's Touch has a variety of kits including votive and tealight candle making kits, as well as sets for Easter egg candles and aromatherapy.
• Nu-Scents Candles sells various candle making sets, as well scents, molds and dyes.
• Cierra Candles lets you choose from hundreds of fragrances and colors on this Web site, which also offers a variety kits including starter sets.
• Peak Candle Supplies is an Arizona-based company that offers many supplies, as well as simple instructions to creating the perfect candle.