Diamond Enthusiast
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Which kind?
I usually use paraffin (Can be bought at any craft store) it is the white wax, used to be used a lot in capping off preserves.
I have also used honey comb, and tallow.
A few things I have done in past include molding soft wax sheets, rolling them up around the wick (this is used mostly with bees wax, this method lets you have the honeycomb pattern)
Dipping, this method is taking a wick, dipping it in hot wax, pulling it out, letting the wax cool, repeating, until you get the desired thickness of candle. It is a long process and requires that you keep the pot of wax hot for a long period of time. It also requires a lot of wax, since you have to be able to submerge the whole length of candle in the wax time and time again.
I have had some success with mixing colors with this method, the core could be red, with a surround of green - this makes for an interesting drip.
Poured candles can be done in just about anything - I have found that taking the top of a coke can, snipping it down to below the ridge so the widest part is all the way open - provides a good base mold for candles. I use a small nail to pierce the bottom for the wick, then I seal it with a piece of duct tape. It usually takes more than one pouring to fill a candle, wax shrinks when it cools, so you will have to top off the candle.
Adding scents, color, etc means following the directions on the particular product you use. I tend to use essence oils - they are strong and burn clean.
You can add things like flowers, leaves, etc to a mold candle. Be mindful when you do so that most of these items will burn when the candle burns, so try to keep them toward the sides, away from the wick, and do a series of pours, letting each layer cool - this lets you push the items you have added to the sides without being burnt.
Other things you can use for molds:
Milk cartons (not the gallon or half gallon jugs) These come pre-waxed, and readily peel off the candle.
You can use a pint (say what 1/2 and 1/2 comes in) to make a cube candle - I have filled the container half way with one color wax, topped it off, laid a wick across it (using a thick needle to pierce two opposing sides, again more duct tape to seal the hole) then pouring a second color and topping it off.
After peeling I have had to do some shaping with a putty knife to get clean sides.
Tuna tins: the candle is kept inside, but the tin can add interest to the candle, being low, you get a wide candle.
Sand: Yep, you can use damp sand. I have found that using damp sand (to where it can hold its shape) allows you to use glasses, cans, small flower pots, blocks of wood, etc. to make a mold in the sand. Stick the wick in the sand, pour in the wax, and when it cools you can pull out the candle, you can either lightly brush off the loose wax (adds an interesting texture to the candle) or you can scrape the sides with a dull knife, putty knife, or similar.
If you are planing on using clear glass as a candle holder, make certain it is the type that is tempered for heat.
OLD WAX: Many save the old wax from their candles, mind, if you mix the colors and the scents, you will have a muddled mess of a candle.
I have several coffee cans with lids, each clearly marked for the color/smell of candle wax I am collecting. I have discovered that it is necessary to strain the old wax, bits of old wick, dirt, dust, etc may be in the wax.
Double boiler method is the best method for melting wax. Though it can be done in the oven set at 200 to 250 F.
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LOL