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Candle Making Tip
These votive candles are easy to make and are very popular, they are best used in the votive glasses that are available in the accessories section, sub section glassware - tins.
UK Candle Making Supplies - Making Votive Candles
The votive candle is a very good selling product as people enjoy
having a candle in a container such as a glass. The main problem
with container candles is that once the candle is finished you have
the glass left over and it seems to be a waste. The beauty of these votive candles is that once you have finished one candle you can
just clean out the glass and replace it with another.
Picture One
Picture Two
Picture Three
Picture Four
Picture Five
VAT NO: 897784729
Make Votive Candles
This is a guide to making votive candles it has been written by a craft candle maker working at Gentil Sayre Limited. It has been written for first time candle makers and no liability is accepted by any individual or Gentil Sayre Limited for any "incidents" that may occur whilst making votive candles. Candle making becomes a very individual thing and candle makers have their own little procedures and ways that they have picked up through experience, if anyone has anything to add to this guide please email us with your suggestions. This guide to making votive candles will at least give a begginer to candle making a feeling of confidence and a starting point.
Something is needed to melt your wax bearing in mind that you cannot melt candle wax with direct heat you need a double pan or a specially made wax melting pot, more information can be found in the melt wax safely guide. A thermometer is a must so you can check the temperature of the candle wax as pouring the wax at a specific temperature is very important, even if you have a melter with a thermostat there is no harm in being extra safe by checking the temperature of the candle wax with a thermometer. You will need a pouring jug plus obviously the votive moulds and wick pins, a slim pencil or metal rod is needed for the method shown. If you want to colour and fragrance the candle then you will need candle dye and scent on hand. Covering your worksurface with paper or cloth may be a good idea as well as wearing some working clothing.
Candle wax first pour
When you have your wax up to melting temperature which is 80°C if you are using the blended wax (which is recommended for votive candle making as it has all the additives needed) add your dye and fragrance and bring the temperature back up stirring well. Transfer the hot candle wax into your pouring jug and pour into the votive moulds which should already have the votive wick pins inside, fill the moulds up to within a few milimetres of the top of the votive mould or level with
the flare on the top of the mould if you are using the flared votive moulds.
Now you can leave the wax to cool it is best to move the votive candle to a cooler place as soon as the top of the hot wax has developed a skin or if you want a quicker process you could try the water bath method. When the candle is nearly set as in picture one you should reheat your remaining candle wax and do a second pour.
Fill candle second pour
Candle wax expands when it is heated so when it cools it has to shrink which leaves a well in your candle this has to be filled by pouring more wax. Some people just pour a second lot of wax level with the top of the first pour and leave it to cool and are happy with the sunken look to the finished votive candle. With three candle wax pours you can eliminate most of the sunken look, just pour your second lot of wax as in picture two without the second pour reaching the level
of the first pour.
A good idea when the second pour is just beginning to harden (still soft but no liquid wax left - takes approx 10 minutes) is to use a pin or rod and push it into the second pour at a 45° angle as in picture three. Do not force the pin in and try to get the pin into the first pour as-well this will key the first and second pours together and leave a hole for the third pour to attach to.
Finish votive candle third pour
The third pour can be done usually within 10-15 minutes of the second pour just heat and pour the remaining wax up to the first pours level (heating the wax up to around 82° will help it to key to the other pours) as in picture four. Now you leave your candles for a good few hours overnight if possible, then the candles should easily be removed from the moulds though if they prove to be a bit stuck ten minutes in a fridge should solve the problem. The pins are best removed by
pushing the candle - pin first - against a piece of wood or stone (not a work surface or you may damage the veneer) the pin should then slide out to a point when you can grasp the bottom disc of the pin and pull again a short time in a fridge can help. You can now fit your waxed votive wick (V45/SPC-60 is recommended and is available on the votive wick page) and that's it you now have your finished votive candles as in picture five, put the candle in an appropriate glass and light and enjoy.
Question: How much wax is needed per votive candle? Answer: Calculate for 65g per candle will be sufficient
Question: What are the black marks on your moulds? Answer: Ignore them they are a mark for when I make smaller votives
Question: Is keying the pours together necessary? Answer: No I suppose not but without it the candles may break apart