ecobites.com

Making your life greener - one bite at a time.

Paraffin candles are made from petroleum residues so neither do your health or the environment any good. Soy, beeswax or natural vegetable-based candles are better because they biodegrade, are smoke-free, and so more eco-friendly.

Candles, fresh flowers, ribbon, greenery, organic fruit and vegetables are the perfect ingredients for your Eco - friendly celebrations!

Eco celebrations and candles are inseparable. Candles are used not only for illumination or for religious purposes, but also for decorations. Of all the aspects that go into creating a decorative candle, perfuming them or scenting them is followed these days.

Aromatic candles are widely popular owing not only to their beautiful hues, but also for their smell. These candles are scented either by adding drops of perfumes or oils for a more natural smell.

Caution

• Please do not leave boiling wax unattended.
• Do not involve children in candle making as it is strictly not for children.  

Things Needed For Making Candles

• 1 lb soy wax
• 1/3 lb Beeswax
• Chosen crayons for colouring or candle dyes
• Candle moulds or Dixie cups
• Fragrant oil or perfume
• Pencil or a stick

• Thread a piece of wick at the bottom of the mould, Dixie cup or the container that you are using as the mould and wind the excess thread to the pencil.
• Rest the pencil horizontally across the mould.
• Melt soy wax and beeswax in a double boiler. Boil it up to only 180 degrees and not more.
• Once the wax is melted, add shavings of crayons or candle dye into the wax. More crayons added will produce the smell of crayon when the candle is made.
• Add the fragrant oil into the wax and blend
• After blending pour the wax into the mould and allow it to set for 24hrs for best results.
• Peel the mould off when the candle is ready.

• If you do not have a double boiler, put some water in a wide vessel on a low flame and put an empty can inside the vessel. Put the wax chunks in the can. As the wax melts add more wax. Then the colouring and the fragrance can be added and the other steps can be followed.
• It will be good if there is a relation between the colour and the fragrance used. For example lemon grass will go with yellow, lavender oil will go with mauve any herbal oil will go with green, clove and patchouli with a deep reddish brown etc.
• Always use natural organic essential oils for fragrance, as they are not harmful to health.

Soy candles are great because they're all natural, they're made from 100% soybeans, and also easy to clean up, just use soap and water.

Soy candles
soy wax
wicks
mould or containers
melter
organic fragrances
dyes
putty for moulds

Spread newspapers around the candle making area. Next melt your soy wax in a double boiler. Usually you place a large pot that is about half-filled with water on a burner over low-medium heat, place a melter in the water, then gradually place soy wax pieces into the melter. When the wax has melted, you can add colouring or fragrance as desired. Don't let it stand for too long after adding fragrance, as the perfume will escape! 

Moulded candles

Cut the wick two inches taller than the desired finished candle, thread  through the hole at the bottom of the mould, plug the outside of the hole with putty. Place a pencil or similar item over the top of the mould and tie the top of the wick,with the wick in the centre. When the wax has completely melted, lift the melter by the handle and slowly pour the wax into the mould. Let cool for twelve hours then refrigerate for a further twelve hours, then remove the candle.  

Votives

Using pre-tabbed wicks by simply placing them in the centre of the votive candle moulds or containers, pour the wax mixture over and stand for twelve hours, refrigerating the votives.

Dried Flower Candles

scissors

pencil

several pieces of white paper

ruler

double boiler

hair dryer

large candle (your choice of colour)

white candle

paint brush (approx. 1 – 2 inches)

several pressed flowers, petals, leaves, herbs etc   

Measure the length and width of your desired dried flower candles with a  piece of paper, marking the length and width.

Trim the paper to cover the candle’s circumference completely, making sure that there are no overlapping edges.

Place the trimmed paper on a flat surface and arranging with the pressed flowers, petals and leaves. This will be the design of the dried flower candles that you will make. Try not to make too many corrections to your original design, since overheating the candles will cause them to lose shape.

Heat one part of the candle and place on your design, when the wax is slightly melted, stick the pressed flowers directly onto the candle. Do this repeatedly until your whole design is integrated onto the large candle. You can also roll your candle on a piece of paper to make sure the pressed items are well adhered.

Break up the white candle into smaller pieces for better melting in the double boiler. Once the wax has liquefied, take off the double boiler ,dip with paintbrush, brushing over the dried flower candles, working quickly to use the melted wax.

Leave the dried flower candles standing whilst brushing and drying,and try not to handle too much as fingerprints will ruin the end result. Leaving for 10 minutes to have a beautiful candle great for wedding favours or for part of your table arrangements.

Soy Aromatherapy Candles - Alternative to paraffin and beeswax