Basic Pillar Candle

Pillar candles are great for that extra decor at home and special occasions.

Supplies:
– Wax
– Candle Molds
– Wick Bars & Straight Pins
– Mold Seal
– Wicking
– Stirring Stick
– Candle Color Dyes
– Scent
– Burning Instruction Labels

STEP 1
Prepare your work area, gather your materials, wear old clothes, set your electric griddle at 200 degrees or fill a pan large enough to hold your melting pot with 2” of water.

STEP 2
Measure 4 cups of granulated wax and dump it in the melting pot, clip your thermometer to the side of the pot and place pot on heat source. Heat wax to 180 degrees Fahrenheit (82 degrees Celsius).

STEP 3
While your wax is melting you can prepare your molds for pouring. Keep in mind that the open side of the mold is the bottom of the candle.

• Put your wick through the hole in the bottom of the mold. If the wick frays and is difficult to thread through the hole, dip it into your melted wax and flatten with your fingers so that it passes through the hole in the mold. Leave about 1” of wicking outside of the mold.
• Cut a ¼” piece of the mold seal from the strip and work it between your fingers until it is soft and squishy like gum. Place the mold seal directly over the wicking hole on top of the wicking. Press gently to secure. Place a piece of duct tape over the wick and mold seal to keep it in place so the mold will not leak once the wax is poured inside.
• Flatten the duct tape and mold seal if necessary so that the mold sits up straight when turned over.
• Thread the other end of the wick through the hole in the wooden wick bar.       Pull any slack out of the wick and push the straight pin directly through the wicking flush on top of the wick bar to keep the wick from moving while pouring the candle.
• Now your wick is secure at the top and the bottom of the mold. Make sure the wick is centered in the middle.
• You can place your mold into a disposable pan or container when pouring so that just in case the wax manages to find its way around the mold seal and duct tape and leak, it will be contained and not go all over your work area.

STEP 4

When the wax is melted, add 1 ounce of scent per pound, color and stir until the candle dye is melted and dispersed. Keep in mind that the wax in the pot will look very dark and your finished candle will cool to be lighter in color.

STEP 5
Pour the wax into the mold slowly and evenly being careful not to pour onto the wick bar. Fill the mold to about 1/4” from the top. Save some leftover wax in the pot for later. Gently tap the sides of the mold with your stirring stick to allow any air bubbles to rise.

STEP 6
Let mold sit and cool until a firm crust has formed on top of the wax for about 45 minutes. Poke wax with stirring stick, making sure not to scrape the sides or bottom of the mold. This will release any air that may have been trapped under the crust. As the wax cools, it shrinks and creates a “pit” around the wick pin – this is normal. In 4 to 6 hours when the outside of your mold feels cool and there is a pit around the wick you are ready to “top off” the candles. Reheat saved wax to 200 degrees and refill candle. DO NOT POUR ABOVE ORIGINAL POUR.

STEP 7
Allow the candle to cool completely for an additional 1-2 hours before attempting to remove from the mold. First remove the straight pin from the wicking and slide the wick bar off. Turn the mold over and remove the tape and mold seal from the bottom. Carefully slide the candle out of the mold. If the candle does not easily slide out of the mold, tap it gently on the counter or place it in a refrigerator (never the freezer) for five to ten minutes then try removing it from the mold again. Never pry or scrape the wax out of the mold.

STEP 8
Trim the wick to ¼” at the top of the candle and attach a burning instruction label to the bottom. Place your candle in the cello bag and tie closed with a ribbon or jute.  For best results, let the candle “cure” for 24 hours before burning.

I hope that you have had fun making your candles – I know I enjoy making candles more than just about anything! If you have any questions or need any supplies, feel free to contact me at any time!

Your Friend,
Cindy Novack