The Philippine Online Chronicles

Candles have become a big part of different occasions and traditions through the years.  The light from a candle often stands as a beacon of hope that spreads comfort and sense of peace.

In the 1990’s, scented and personalized candles became popular gifts. The popularity of candles as gifts widened the door of opportunity for a candle-making business. Today candles are created for different occasions and themes.  Candles can also be made in different forms. Aside from traditional pillar types, candles can also be formed into different shapes.  There are also gel candles that can be placed in glass jars.  There are so many possibilities in making candles.  Different scents can also be added to candles.  In fact, scented candles are used for aromatherapy. The demand for candles usually peaks during the celebration of two special occasions – All Saints Day and Christmas season.

Here are some positive aspects of candle making business:

• Candle making business is an ideal home business.
• It just needs a little start-up cost because supplies are inexpensive.
• You just need a bit of creativity to make different candle designs and themes.
• Demand for candles is high so there is a favorable return on investment.
• Selling candles can be done at home, through order basis or even on the Internet.
• Profit is often quick and easy.

On the other hand, there are some things to consider before jumping into  candle- making :

• Candle making requires certain techniques and skills.
• It is a good idea to enroll in a basic candle making class or watch video tutorials before attempting to make candles.
• Beginners should be prepared to make mistakes. Candle-making often takes trial and error before you can produce good candles.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) offers candle making livelihood programs.

Tel:   (02) 887-7777
SMS: 0917-4794370 (Globe)
0918-2738232 (Smart)
Email: tesdacontactcenter@gmail.com

Materials for candle making

Here are the essential equipment and supplies for candle making. These materials can be found in a number of specialty stores in Divisoria.  According to PinoyBusiness.com, initial expense for a small candle making business is P5,000.

1.      Source of heat – It could either be a hot plate or a stove.

2.      Double broiler – If you don’t have one, you can use a large pot to boil water and a small can or saucepan inside where you can melt the wax.

3.      Wax – There are different kinds of wax to choose from namely:

• Paraffin wax – It is one of the most common and adaptable waxes used today. Paraffin wax has different melt points and can be used in making votives, pillar candles, and molded ones. A lot of commercially available candles are made of paraffin wax.
• Beeswax – It is considered as the oldest candle-making wax. Beeswax is a byproduct of honey-making.
• Soy wax – This was developed in the early 1990s as an alternative to petroleum-derived wax.  Soy wax comes from all natural soybean oil.
• Gel wax – It is a combination of resin and mineral oil.
• Palm wax – It is produced from natural palm oil.

4.      Scale – This is for weighing the wax.

5.      Pour pot – This can be used to pour the hot wax into the mold.

6.      Thermometer - Monitoring the temperature is important in making candles.  It is vital to have a thermometer to measure the temperature of melting wax.

7.      Ladle and spoons – Metal ladle or spoons can be used in stirring hot wax.

8.      Wire whisk – This can be used to mix colored dye in the wax.

9.      Mold or Container – This will be used to hold the melted wax. Molds now come in different shapes and sizes.

10.  Fragrance – This can be added when you want to make scented candles.

11.  Color dyes – Candles now come in different colors. Dyes can be used to produce specific colored candles.

12.  Wick – There are different types of wick to choose from. The most common type of wick used today is made from braided cotton. Wicks are often treated with some kind of chemical to improve the quality of burning.

Basic candle making steps

1.      Melt the hard wax in a double boiler or makeshift double boiler. Use a thermometer to keep the temperature at around 165 to 185 degrees.

2.      Once the wax is completely melted, the dye can be added slowly (if making colored candles). Stir the dye using a wire whisk for at least 2 minutes to allow the ingredients to bind.

3.      For scented candles, add scented oil and stir for at least 2 minutes. Use a wire whisk to blend the fragrance with the wax.

4.      Use a pour pot or glass to pour the hot wax into a mold or container.

5.      When putting the wick in the candle, wait until you see a thin layer of skin to appear on the top portion of the wax while it cools. Push the wick in the center of the candle until it reaches the bottom.  Hold the wick in place until it is stable.

6.      For big candles, it is sometimes necessary to drill holes after the first pour in order for bubbles to be released.

7.      When the wax cools down, it normally recedes and condenses so wax is poured over the candles. Leftover wax can be reheated to about 10 degrees hotter compared to the first pour. This way the waxes can bind together.

8.       When the wax hardens, hold the mold or container on both sides and gently pull to loosen the mold and separate it from the wax. You can also use a butter knife on the edge of the mold but be very careful not to cut or chip the candle. Another technique is putting the wax inside the refrigerator for about 5 minutes.  This will shrink the wax in size to allow the candle to easily break free from the sides of the mold. For small candles, the mold can be turned upside down but make sure you put a hand under to catch the candle as it comes out.

Here is video of basic candle making process:

JavaScript is disabled!
To display this content, you need a JavaScript capable browser.

Adobe Flash Player not installed or older than 9.0.115!

1.      Keep a fire extinguisher within reach.

2.      Do not use water to extinguish fire caused by wax. Liquid wax acts the same way as oil.

3.      Do not leave melting wax unattended.

4.      Closely monitor the temperature of the wax using a thermometer.

5.      It is better to use a double boiler because it prevents dangerous temperatures.

Photo: “candles and wick” by , c/o Flickr. Some Rights Reserved.

Video: “Home and Hearth Magic 2 – Basic Candle Making” c/o Youtube.

-----------------------------

Rachel Yapchiongco, also known as Rach to her friends, is a Psychology and Marketing Management graduate of De La Salle University.  She took up MBA at the same university.  Rachel is a full-time mom to a charming young boy and married to an entrepreneur with a passion for cooking. She shares parenting experiences and slices of everyday life on her personal blog called Heart of Rachel.