How to get started with candle making? A list of necessary accessories and ingredients.

Want your home to smell like your favorite café or the forest after a rain? And do you also enjoy crafting with your own hands? You've come to the right place. Making soy candles is a hobby that combines relaxation, creativity, and a very practical result. In this guide, I'll show you how to start making candles , what accessories and ingredients you really need, how to make a soy candle step by step , and how to avoid common mistakes. It's simple, to the point, and jargon-free – so you can get to work right away.

Why is it worth making candles yourself?

Imagine the scent in your living room as a mood-altering switch. One click of a match and you're "in the mountains at dawn" or "at the bakery just after opening." A handmade candle is just that switch—only one that's 100% tailored to you.

The most important advantages:

• Personalization : Choose your own fragrance notes, color, container, and embellishments. Create a boho-style jar candle or an elegant glass candle.
  

• Ingredients : You know what you're putting in. Natural waxes (e.g., soy, rapeseed, coconut) and certified fragrance oils ensure cleaner burning and a more pleasant aroma.
  

• Ecology and budget : you'll use jars from your kitchen, reduce waste and... often pay less than for a ready-made premium candle.
  

• A gift with a heart : nothing says “I made this for you” like your own fragrance and hand-picked decorations.
  

Basic candle-making accessories (with homemade substitutes)

You don't need a lab. A simple kit is all you need to get started:

Must-have:

• Pot + metal/heat-resistant bowl (water bath) or wax melter .
  

• Thermometer (kitchen or confectionery) - temperature control is half the battle.
  

• Stirring rod (spoon/spatula), kitchen scale , scissors .
  

• Wicks (cotton or wooden) + plates and stickers for attachment.
  

• Candle molds or jars /vessels (ideal for starters).
  

• Clamps for centering the wick (clothespins or sticks can be used).
  

Additionally useful:

• Wax jug (facilitates precise pouring).
  

• Gloves and cloths (cleanliness and safety).
  

Substitutes: instead of a jug, use a metal cup with a spout; instead of a clamp - two sticks fastened with a rubber band.

Ingredients needed to make soy candles

This is the heart of the project. Well-chosen ingredients = beautiful appearance and scent.

Wax

• The easiest one to start with: soy wax (granules/pellets). It provides a smooth surface, burns long, and has a natural character.
  

• Other options: rapeseed wax , coconut wax , and blends (e.g. soy-coconut) to improve appearance and "heat scent projection."
  

Fragrance oils

• Choose candle oils (heat-resistant) rather than regular “fireplace” essential oils.
  

• Look for information about the maximum concentration (so-called "fragrance load") and compatibility with wax.
  

Extras

• Candle dyes (liquid or chips). Start with pastel shades – they're easier to control.
  

• Herbs, dried flowers, spices (e.g., lavender, rose petals, cinnamon sticks) - for delicately decorating soy candles . Note: add in moderation and not close to the wick.
  

• External decorations : jute twine, labels, stickers.
  

A common question: how much oil to use for a soy candle? Typically, 6–10% of the wax weight (e.g., 10g of oil per 100g of wax). Always check the wax and oil product information.

How to make a soy candle step by step (starter recipe)

Want a ready-made workflow? Here you go. This is a recipe you can easily replicate.

What to prepare (for 1 candle ~180–200 ml):

• 160 g soy wax
  

• 12–14 g fragrance oil (approx. 7–9% - a safe range to start with)
  

• 1 wick (selected to suit the diameter of the vessel; for a 7–8 cm jar, choose a stronger wick)
  

• Oven -safe jar/dish
  

• Thermometer , jug/melter , water for a water bath
  

Step 1. Prepare the vessel and wick

• Degrease the jar (e.g. with alcohol).
  

• Glue the wick plate to the bottom (with a thermal sticker or a drop of melted wax).
  

• Position the wick perfectly centrally and support it with a clip/sticks.
  

Step 2. Melt the wax

• Pour 2–3 cm of water into the pot, place a bowl/jug with wax (water bath).
  

• Heat to approximately 70–75°C , stirring. Do not overheat or allow to boil.
  

Step 3. Cooling and Fragrance

• Remove from heat and wait until the temperature drops to approximately 60–65°C .
  

• Add the oil (12–14g in this example). Stir gently but thoroughly for at least 1–2 minutes – this helps bind the scent to the wax.
  

Step 4. Color and accessories (optional)

• If desired, add food coloring (start with a minimal amount). Mix.
  

• Add the herbs/dried fruit to the surface after pouring , or very gently on top just before it sets.
  

Step 5. Pour

• When the mixture is approximately 50–55°C , carefully pour it into a jar.
  

• Leave 0.5–1 cm of slack from the edges. Make sure the wick is centered.
  

Step 6. Setting and curing

• Allow the candle to harden without moving it (at least a few hours).
  

• Trim the wick to ~5–7 mm .
  

• For the best fragrance, wait 3–7 days (curing). Soy candle making requires patience—the scent develops in fuller form.
  

Short formula for fragrance:
oil (g) = wax (g) × % fragrance
E.g. 160 g wax × 0.08 = 12.8 g oil.

How to Make a Candle in a Jar - Questions and Mini-Tips

• A jam jar? Yes, but wash and degrease thoroughly. Check that the glass is thick and even (thin glass can crack).
  

• Two wicks or one? If the vessel is >8–9 cm in diameter , consider two wicks for an even surface.
  

• Cracked surface? Pouring temperature too low. Increase by 2–3°C.
  

• "Wet spots" on the walls? Naturally found in plant waxes. Warming the jar before pouring helps, allowing it to cool more slowly.
  

The Most Common Mistakes When Making Soy Candles and How to Avoid Them

1) Tunneling (burns downwards, leaving edges)

• Causes : wick too small, first burn too short, draft.
  

• Solutions : choose a larger wick; let the first burn last until the wax melts to the walls (usually 2–3 hours).
  

2) Faint smell when burning

• Causes : too little oil, inappropriate oil, too short curing, insufficient mixing.
  

• Solutions : Check how much oil the soy candle allows (usually 6-10%); stir for 1-2 minutes; let the candle rest for a few days.
  

3) Burning too fast

• Causes : too large wick, drafts, very small vessel.
  

• Solutions : smaller wick; place away from window; use containers ≥150 ml.
  

4) Rough or frosted surface

• Reasons : feature of natural plant waxes plus rapid cooling.
  

• Solutions : Pour the mixture a little warmer, warm the jar before pouring, and let it cool slowly. If necessary, apply a gentle "top-off" —a thin, even second layer.
  

5) Smoking and soot

• Causes : wick too long, dirt on the wick, draft.
  

• Solutions : trim the wick to 5-7 mm before each burn; keep it clean; avoid drafts.
  

Soy candle decorating inspirations

Your candle is your canvas. A few simple tricks:

• Color layers : pour in stages (e.g., light pink → beige → ecru). Pour each layer after the previous one has lightly set.
  

• Surface decoration : a pinch of lavender, jasmine, orange peel . Remember to be safe – keep accessories away from the wick .
  

• Ombre : tint the same base gradually stronger (1 drop, 3 drops, 6 drops…).
  

• Rustic jar : jute string, simple craft tag, handwritten fragrance name.
  

• Minimalism : clean surface + elegant, legible label.
  

Production of natural candles - requirements, safety and good practices

Even if you're just creating for yourself, it's worth following a few rules. And if you're thinking about selling, it's a must.

Work safety

• Melt the wax in a water bath , not directly over heat.
  

• Do not leave melted wax unattended. Keep away from children and pets.
  

• Always use a thermometer and a stable surface.
  

Labels and warnings

• Each candle should have pictograms and safety instructions (e.g. trim the wick, do not burn for more than 4 hours, do not leave unattended, keep away from flammable materials).
  

• If you are using specific fragrances, please refer to the safety data sheets and manufacturer recommendations.
  

Combustion tests

• Do a test: light the candle for 3–4 hours, observe the wax surface, wick, smoke and smell.
  

• Note: wax type, wick, container, and oil percentage . This is your "roadmap" to consistent quality.
  

Storage and curing

• Give candles 3–7 days (sometimes longer) before gifting or selling. This is crucial for the fragrance.
  

• Store in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight.
  

Mini-FAQ (quick answers to frequently asked questions)

How to make your own candle quickly?
The easiest way: a soy wax jar candle . Melt 160g of wax, add 12-14g of fragrance at 60-65°C, pour at 50-55°C, wait, trim the wick, and you're done.

How much oil for a soy candle?
Start with 6–10% by weight of wax (e.g., 10g per 100g of wax). Check the limits for your specific wax and oil.

Why is my candle tunneling?
The wick is too small or the first burn session is too short. Choose a larger wick and burn the first time to a full sheet.

Can I use pure essential oils?
Not all oils tolerate heat and burning well. Choose oils designed for candles or mix essential oils with a candle base according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

When is dye added to wax?
After dissolving, usually before adding fragrance - this makes it easier to control the color.

Your plan for your first weekend of waxing (a simple checklist)

1. Choose a container (180–200 ml jar).
   

2. Select soy wax and wick according to the diameter of the vessel.
   

3. Plan your fragrance (12-14g per 160g of wax).
   

4. Prepare a water bath , thermometer, scale, and stirrer.
   

5. Make the infusion according to the recipe (stir the fragrance for 1–2 minutes).
   

6. Let the candle harden , trim the wick, wait a few days.
   

7. Do a burning test : 2–3 hours, observe the surface and smell.
   

8. Evaluate and take notes - small improvements = big progress.
   

Finally: start small, take notes, play with the scents

Making candles is a bit like baking a cake: the recipe is important, but the magic happens when you customize it. Over time, you'll learn which waxes produce the smoothest surface, which compositions smell the strongest, and which soy candle-making mistakes you'd like to avoid.

Use this guide as a starting point. Then experiment, mix, decorate—and enjoy the light you've created yourself.