I decided to go with soy candles. I followed the directions here to make the wick. I recommend the directions for wick number 2. Leaving the unbleached cotton twine in the borax solution overnight caused crystals to form that I had to remove before dipping the wicks in wax. Use unbleached cotton twine to keep this a "clean" candle without any harmful chemicals being released into the air as you burn them. I chose not to add any dyes to my candles for the same reason.
I followed the directions here to make the candles. I put together some instructions on how to burn a soy candle and attached it to my gift. Here are some similar instructions. As you read them note how important it is to do a memory burn, how to center your wick after prolonged burning, and how to extinguish your candle without causing smoke. After making your candles allow them cure for a few days before burning them... I know... it is so hard to wait!
I made a summer scented candle using:
1/2 pound soy wax
1 T. jasmine essential oil
1/4 t. grapefruit essential oil
I think the above fragrance combination makes a nice perfume. Just use beeswax instead of the soy and add equal parts sweet almond oil to make a solid perfume. Directions here.
I made an Autumn scented candle using:
1 pound soy wax
2 T clove bud essential oil
1/2 t. vanilla essential oil
I have been burning the Autumn scented candle all week and I love, love, love it. Some commercial candles smell too sugary sweet for me. However, I'm very happy with these!
Posts
