Make beautiful candles with our 8 easy steps to make candles!

Candle-making is a creative hobby that has seen a resurgence in popularity recently due to being incredibly easy and fun. Not only is creating a candle a relaxing way to create something beautiful, it also allows you to make custom designs that are perfect for your home or as gifts for friends and family.

Here at NZ Candle Supplies, our goal is to share our passion for candle making and show our customers how to make candles, creating their own personal oasis.

We know creating a candle can be a great experience and a much cheaper way to add fragrance into your home. That's why we offer candle making kits, which include all the supplies you need to get started making personal, custom candles that express your creativity in all its forms.

At NZ Candle Supplies we are here to inspire you to try your hand at producing candles. No matter if you’re a seasoned candle maker or a beginner, we offer an extensive array of candle ingredients, from wax to fragrances to help you prepare the perfect custom candles that you desire.

To get started making candles, you'll need a few key supplies, including candle wicks, candle wax, fragrance oils, and a candle mould or container. To make things a little easier, you can check out our available equipment here.

When choosing your candle wicks, you’ll need to consider the type of wax you'll be using and select a wick that is appropriate for that wax. If you're unsure which candle wick to choose to make effective candles, use a wick size calculator.

Then comes the fun part, picking your fragrance oils! Here you can select from a wide range of scents and choose the ones that best fit your preferences and let your creations truly shine.

Step two for making excellent candle products considers the choice of wax. The wax is your base, so it’s important to consider the type of candle you want to make and choose a wax that will work best for your project.

There are numerous different types of wax available to make amazing candles, each with its unique wax properties.

Paraffin wax is a popular choice to use as you make custom candles, prized for its affordability and easy availability. Soy wax is eco-friendly and biodegradable, making it a great wax choice for those who are environmentally conscious when they make candles. Beeswax is another popular wax choice for its natural scent and long burn time.

The first step when making the candle is heating the wax so it’s malleable to your jar or container.

To do this, place the wax in a double boiler or in a heat-resistant container set in a pan of simmering water. Keep stirring the wax until it has fully melted.

It is important to melt the wax slowly to avoid overheating and making the wax break down, which causes wax to become useless - Which is the last thing you want as you make your candles!

Once the wax is melted, it is time to add fragrance oils.

You can add fragrance oils to your desired scent strength, but most of our fragrance oils come with a recommended usage rate as you create candles. Too little and your candle will have a low scent throw, too much and it can become overpowering.

Stir the oils well into the melted wax to ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the wax. Keep in mind that some fragrance oils may start making the wax crack or discolour, so be sure to research the compatibility of the fragrance oils with your chosen wax before adding them to the melted wax as you're making custom candles.

Having worked out the proper wick you’ll need for your size of container, cut the candle wicks to the appropriate length.

It’s recommended that you first secure the wick to the bottom of your mould or container using a wick sticker or glue. Making sure the wick is centred and straight will ensure an even burn for your candles.

Now your wax is all melted and your wick is secure, carefully pour the melted wax into your mould or container, making sure not to disturb the wick.

Pour slowly and smoothly to avoid air bubbles from forming in the wax. If air bubbles do form, you can gently pop them with a toothpick or chopstick, making an aesthetically pleasing candle.

Leave the wax to cool for several hours or until it is solid. Avoid the desire to put the candle in the fridge to cool down quicker as this can cause cracks in the wax.

You may need to gently remove any air bubbles that form on the surface of the wax. Avoid disturbing the wax during this time, as this could serve in making the wick shift and the candle to become misshapen.

The very last thing you’ll need to do once the wax is solid, is to trim the wick to the appropriate length. If you make a wick that is too long, it can cause the candle to burn unevenly or even cause the candle to tunnel.

We recommend you trim the wick to about 5mm to ensure a clean, even burn.

With these steps illustrating how to make perfect custom candles, you'll be able to make your own candles with confidence. Check out our wide range of candle making equipment at NZ Candle Supplies today to find all the supplies you need to get started on your candle-making journey!

Whether you're a seasoned candle-maker or just starting out, you'll find everything you need to make your candles at NZ Candle Supplies. From wicks for your candles to fragrance oils, and wax, our store has everything you need to create custom candles that are perfect for your home or as gifts for friends and family.

So why wait? Start exploring the world of candle-making today and find the supplies you need at NZ Candle Supplies!