How to Make Homemade Candles: A Simple Guide for Beginners

Making your own candles at home is not only fun and relaxing, but it also lets you customize scents, colors, and containers to match your mood, decor, or season. Whether you're crafting candles for yourself or as thoughtful handmade gifts, this hobby is a great way to add a personal and cozy touch to your space.

I started making candles recently and was surprised at how easy and satisfying it was. In this post, I’ll walk you through what you need, how to do it step by step, and some ideas for scents and decorations that will make your candles feel extra special.


🛍️ What You’ll Need to Get Started

You can find all of these supplies online or at craft stores. I’ll be adding an affiliate link to my favorite candle-making kit soon if you'd like an all-in-one option.

  • Soy wax flakes (or beeswax or paraffin)

  • Wicks (pre-waxed with tabs are easiest)

  • Containers (glass jars, tins, teacups, etc.)

  • Fragrance oils or essential oils

  • Candle dye (optional)

  • Wick stickers or hot glue

  • Thermometer (optional but helpful)

  • Wooden skewers or chopsticks (to hold the wick in place)

  • A pouring pot or double boiler

👉 Candle Making Kit on Amazon (affiliate link)

🕯️ Step-by-Step: How to Make Candles at Home

Step 1: Prepare Your Container

Clean your jar or tin and attach the wick to the center using a wick sticker or a dab of hot glue. Use a chopstick or skewer to hold the wick straight and centered at the top of the container.

Step 2: Melt the Wax

Measure your wax based on your container size. A good rule is to fill your container with wax flakes twice to get the right amount. Melt the wax slowly using a double boiler or a pouring pot placed in a saucepan with water.

Step 3: Add Scent and Color

Once the wax is fully melted, remove it from the heat. If you're using a thermometer, let it cool slightly to around 130 to 140 degrees before adding your fragrance oils and dye. Stir gently but thoroughly.

Step 4: Pour the Wax

Carefully pour the melted wax into your prepared container, leaving about half an inch at the top. Keep the wick centered and upright as the wax cools.

Step 5: Let It Set

Let your candle sit undisturbed for at least 24 hours. Once it has fully hardened, trim the wick to about one quarter inch before lighting.

🌿 Fun Add-Ins and Decoration Ideas

Get creative and try adding the following touches to your candles:

  • Dried herbs or flowers: Lavender, rose petals, or chamomile

  • Citrus peels: Thin slices of dried orange or lemon for a fresh look

  • Crystals or small stones: Just make sure they are safe and heat-resistant

  • Glitter or mica powder: Adds a little sparkle (use only candle-safe versions)

Tip: If you add dried items, keep them close to the sides of the jar and use only small amounts to avoid fire hazards.

🌸 Popular Candle Scent Combinations

If you are not sure which fragrance to use, here are some classic combinations people love:

Combination Name Scents Included Vibe or Mood
Cozy Cabin Cedarwood, Vanilla, Cinnamon Warm and comforting
Fresh Linen Cotton, Lavender, White Tea Clean and relaxing
Summer Breeze Lemongrass, Coconut, Mint Fresh and energizing
Fall Harvest Pumpkin, Clove, Nutmeg Spicy and seasonal
Floral Meadow Rose, Jasmine, Lilac Romantic and light
Woodland Walk Pine, Eucalyptus, Sandalwood Earthy and grounding
Sweet Treat Vanilla, Sugar Cookie, Caramel Sweet and cozy

📝 Simple Wrap-Up

Homemade candles are easy to make and offer so much room for creativity. Whether you're looking to add a calming touch to your home or make personalized gifts for friends and family, candle-making is a relaxing and rewarding hobby.

If you enjoyed this project, you might also like exploring my other craft posts.

What kind of candles have you made? Share in the comments.

Sensibly and simply yours,
Kat

👉 Enjoyed this post? Subscribe here to get weekly updates straight to your inbox.

Location: Michigan, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Polish Cucumber Salad Recipe (Mizeria) | Easy Creamy Dill Side Dish

Image
This Polish cucumber salad recipe (called Mizeria in Poland) has been one of the simplest and most refreshing dishes in my kitchen. It's a traditional creamy cucumber salad with sour cream and fresh dill that my mom used to make. It’s cool, creamy, and lightly tangy. It is just perfect for hot afternoons or as a side for grilled meats or hearty casseroles. This recipe is very close to the one my mom used to make, and it always brings back warm memories with every bite. 🥒 What is Mizeria? (Traditional Polish Cucumber Salad) Mizeria is a classic Polish side dish made with thinly sliced cucumbers in a creamy sour cream dressing with fresh dill. It's served cold and pairs perfectly with grilled meats, pierogi, or hearty summer meals. This easy cucumber salad takes less than 20 minutes to prepare and tastes even better after chilling in the fridge. 📋 Recipe Info: Prep Time: 10 minutes Chill Time: 30 minutes   Total Time: 40 minutes Servings: 4-6 people Difficulty: Easy 🧂 Polis...
Read more

Best High-Yield Savings Accounts 2025 | HYSA Rates Compared

Image
Looking for the best high-yield savings accounts in 2025? This guide compares the top FDIC-insured HYSAs with rates up to 4.66% APY. I've researched the best high-interest savings accounts to help you find safe, flexible options that earn more than traditional banks offer. 📘What is a High-Yield Savings Account? A high-yield savings account is an FDIC-insured savings account that pays significantly higher interest rates than traditional bank savings accounts. While traditional savings accounts might pay 0.01%-0.50% APY, the best HYSAs currently offer 3.5%-4.66% APY. These accounts are typically offered by online banks with lower overhead costs, allowing them to pass savings to customers through better rates. 🥇Quick Comparison: Top 3 HYSAs Best Overall Rate: Axos ONE® Savings (up to 4.66% APY)  Best for Goal-Tracking: SmartyPig (3.90% APY + visual savings tools)  Best for Easy Access: EverBank Performance Savings (4.30% APY, no minimum) 🐖 SmartyPig High-Yield Savings Acc...
Read more

Growing Herbs in Michigan: Beginner's Guide to a Simple Herb Garden

Image
When I started my first herb garden two years ago as a complete beginner, I knew next to nothing about growing herbs. Now, after two seasons of trial and error in my Michigan (Zone 6) garden, I've learned which herbs are easiest to grow, which ones struggle in our climate, and practical tips for beginners starting their own herb garden. This post is all about herbs, specifically the ones I’ve grown myself and how I’m learning to make the most of them, one season at a time. 🌿 Best Herbs for Beginners to Grow Based on my experience growing herbs in Michigan, here are the easiest herbs for beginner gardeners: Easiest (Nearly Impossible to Kill): Peppermint - Grows aggressively, thrives in most conditions Chives - Hardy perennial, comes back year after year Thyme - Drought-tolerant, low maintenance Moderate (Pretty Easy): Basil - Easy to grow but sensitive to cold Parsley - Grows well but needs consistent moisture Challenging: Cilantro - Bolts quickly in heat, prefers coo...
Read more