Making layered candles is not that difficult, but they look nice in any decor and are great gifts and you can make them yourself with these tips and instructions.
An easy way to jazz up homemade candles is to make layered candles, where several different colors of wax are used in a single candle. You can pour the wax so that the layers are distinct or allow them to blend into each other for a different look.
You can use different shades of the same color to make a sort of ombre effect, or use all the colors of the rainbow for a great colorful candle for a child's room (as long as he or she does not burn the candle unattended).
Once you have decided on your colors, you need to choose a mold. Layered candles can be made in any mold or container, but they look nicest in tall, skinny shapes such as cylinders or tall cubes. You can find molds at craft supply stores on many places online. When you buy your mold, make sure you buy wick that corresponds to the size of your mold so the candle will burn evenly (the store likely will offer recommendations).
If necessary, prepare the wick by running it through a pan of melted wax (wax should be melted in the top part of a double-boiler used just for non-food crafts) and allowing it to dry. Some wicks come pre-waxed; this step helps the wick stand straight in the mold and makes it a little easier to deal with.
Do this with plain wax and, once it has hardened, you can thread the wick through the hole in the bottom of your mold and attach it to the bottom of the mold with mold sealer (being careful to completely and securely cover the hole) and to the side of the mold at the top. An easy way to do this is to wrap the wick around a wooden skewer, which then rests across the top of the mold, and then attach the end of the wick to the side of the mold with more mold sealer or a piece of tape, making sure the wick is straight and centered in the mold.
If desired, you can spray the mold with mold release spray at this point. There are products made particularly for use with candles, but you can also use whatever kind of nonstick cooking spray you have in the house. Spray on a light layer and your candle will come out of the mold with ease.
Now it is time to melt the wax. How much wax you need for each layer will depend on the size of your mold and how many layers you want there to be. You will learn a lot from doing this the first time, so take a guess and if you find your first layer is too large or too small, you will do better the next time. That's why it's important to take notes (and use a scale if you really want to be accurate). It is recommended, if at all possible, that you have all of your different waxes melted before you begin pouring. This isn't feasible for people with small work spaces or only one melting receptacle, though, and it's not really the end of the world if you can't have everything ready when you start working, but you will need to work fast.
When the wax for the first layer is melted (if you're one of those crafters who likes taking your wax's temperature, shoot for 160 to 190 degrees, using the higher temperature if you're going for more blended layers) pour it slowly and carefully into the mold. You don't want to get any wax on the sides of the mold beyond where this layer will form, because that will make your layers messy. You also might want to pour over a sheet pan lined with aluminum foil as extra insurance against spills. If you didn't have your mold sealed all the way, the wax will pour out onto the foil and you can just let it harden and melt it again.
Allow this layer to cool slightly while your wax for the next layer melts. If you want the layers to be distinct, you will want to allow more time for the wax to harden. It should not be completely cooled. If you allow it to cool too long it will pull away from the side of the mold, allowing the next layer of poured wax to seep in between. If you want the layers to mix a little, allow the wax to cool less and pour the next layer at a higher temperature. It should be apparent that this stage requires a bit of trial and error. But if your candle doesn't come out perfect the first time, you can always remelt the wax and try again (or just use it anyway, your friends will never know it was a "mistake").
Continue this process until the mold is filled. Leave a little bit of the wax used for the last color unpoured so that you can remelt that wax and top off the candle after it has cooled and the cold wax has pulled away from the wick.
Allow the candle to cool again after doing this final pour. Unmold the candle by removing all the mold sealer and turning the mold upside down. You may need to squeeze the mold gently to get the candle out, or you can put it in the freezer for about 10 minutes and it should release easily.
If necessary, place the candle in a warm pan over a double boiler to flatten the bottom so it will stand up properly. If you have frozen the candle to remove it from the mold, allow it to return to room temperature before performing this step. Place your candle in a holder or on a candle plate and enjoy.
Candles are a great way to personalize any décor, they make great gifts and are fun, easy and relatively inexpensive to make at home.
