Why Your Next DIY Project Should Be Candle-Making
- Kimmy
- Apr 25, 2022
- 3 min read
Like many Filipino kids, my earliest memories of candles involved the cemetery — more specifically, my childhood visits to my great-grandparents’ graves on All Souls Day.
I would wait for the lit candles to melt over the marble gravestones, and then mold the collected wax with my hand into balls. The reincarnated candle was a fascinating mishmash of colors, with a stick for a wick. Of course, it never lit up properly, but it did spark an interest in me that lasted long after the adults had finished up on their rosary and their chismis. I’m now in my 30s, and those memories are always embedded in my candles, which are rainbow-colored cloud candles with a bubblegum scent. Aside from the extra income, candle-making gives me a unique sense of accomplishment when I am able to gather and wield ingredients into visual and aromatic creations.
And throughout these years of researching, experimenting, and enjoying my work, I’ve learned that candle-making has helped me in more ways than one.
Candle-making is Therapeutic
If it’s your first time researching how to make your own candles, it may come as a surprise that it takes at least 2 weeks to create one. At this point, you may be asking why that is. It’s just melting wax, mixing-in scents and colors, and then pouring the mixture into a jar, right?
Well, it basically is. But creating candles that are perfectly formed and aromatic takes more than just a few steps. Essential ingredients involve precision, and lots of patience. Strict measurements of weight and temperature are needed during preparation and execution of candle-making. Even a 0.1g excess of fragrance or 2 degrees too high a temperature when pouring can ruin a whole batch. Pure Soy Wax, for example, can hold up to 12% of fragrance (i.e. 12g of fragrance oil to 100g of wax). Any more than that and it’ll get overloaded, and the oil will not bind properly with the candle. Plus, letting your candles “cure” for at least 2 weeks will really test you.
But despite all these challenges, there is something about creating your own candles at 11 pm, smelling your concoction as you pour them into your vessels, and hearing that crispy sound as you trim your wicks that is so fulfilling. Seeing that smooth top and perfect melt pool makes all that your hard work more than worth it.
This is why the process of DIY candles is long, arduous, and ultimately, fulfilling — it’s a journey to yourself and your inner peace.
Candle-making is Educational
A basic function of candles is to bring light and warmth to an area. When added with scents and colors, candles create a unique ambiance and serve as décor in any room. The mood that candles make when lit is just as influential as it is during making it.
To have someone enjoy a coffee-scented candle, for example, the candle-maker needs to find the best materials, measurements and temperatures, molds or vessels. In my case, the Gourmand Fragrance Oil in Brewed Coffee has a distinct smell of my favorite Starbucks drink. As mentioned earlier, the amount of time dedicated to R&D to find the right scent and get good feedback is never-ending — and so is your education about the craft.
Candle-making is Economical
If you do the math right, candle-making could be cheaper than candle-buying. I have grown a list of affordable candle-making supplies that I have happily shared with my Kimistri family. My preference in aesthetics and scents was faster and more affordable when I made candles for myself rather than buying from various stores with their many choices. Not to say that theirs were no good — there are truly good quality candles out there! — but it was important for me to find my own perfect blend.
Moreover, candle-making opened a new door of opportunity for me. In some weird, yet perfect, combination, it became a source of income as well as a cure for my anxiety over joblessness during the pandemic. Overall, I was able to bring more cha-ching in my pocket, and saved me a trip to my therapist.
Candle-making Is For You
More than just a new hobby, candle-making should be a part of your life if you’re looking for an outlet to express yourself and a way to make and save money on the side. Finding your personal style and technique, your market, and most importantly, yourself through candle-making is truly an exciting journey.
Kimistri Lab's DIY Candle Making Starter Kit is a good starting point if you have no to little experience with the craft. My team and I did our best to put together a beginner-friendly package that gives straight-forward but exhilarating experience to any individual considering candle-making as a hobby.
Have you already tried candle-making? Share with us what you love most about the experience! Sound off in the comments or tag us on Instagram @kimistrilabs!
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