Have you ever wished you could make your own candles? I started making them a while ago, and I enjoy in so much. But I learned a few things along the way, one of them being ITS NOT EASY.
There is alot more to candlemaking than just heating a little wax till its liquefied and pouring it into a jar! here are some tools and tips to help you get started.

Tools:

You are going to need a few things to get started
Double boiler:  You cant just heat wax in a pan, it gets clumpy and burns easily.  You need a double boiler system. To make your own, just get a large pot, and a smaller pot that sits steadily and comfortably on top of the large one.   Fill the larger pot with water. It doesnt have to be brimming full, but never let your water boil completly away.

Pourer: you need a container, preferably metal, with a pouring spout to pour wax evenly and slowly into your container.  It also needs to have a short handle.  wax is HOT, so dont try to just wrap your hand around the container ok?

Oven mitt or leather glove: this will give you added protection. you dont want third degree burns, after all.

Wax:  there are many different types of wax. Gel wax is easy to work with, and bubbles only add to the fun. Parafin wax is the least costly, and is great for coloring and scenting, there are just more problems with bubbling and air pockets if not heated and poured correctly.
Beeswax are a fragrance all their own, and make lovely, smokefree candles.
Soywax is softer, absorbs color and scent quickly and esily, and is in the mid range when it comes to price.


Color dye: you can either use powdered or block dye, either one colors nicely.  Dye in chip form is easiest to measure. ONe small chip per pound of wax is plenty!

Scent oils: make sure all the scent you use is OILBASED, as waterbased scents will cause many probems in your wax.  Essential oils can be mixed to create your own scents.  With most candle scents, a half ounce per pound is all you need.  If you are using solid scent, one square per pound is plenty.


Containers or molds: if you are making a container candle, make sure you heat the container slightly in warm water (DONT get water IN the container) and pour the wax sloooooowly, tap the side gently to release air bubbles.
If you are using a Mold, make sure you coat the inside of the mold with commercial mold release OR the secret mold release, a little vegitable oil! it works. its cheap. just a little though or it will cause imperfections in the wax and add a yellow hue to the candle.  You will need to triim the edges with a scalpel or shrp knife after it is completly set.


Embeds:  Objects used as embeds MUST be fire safe. no plastic, fabric, or wood.  metal,glass, stone, wax, or any EARTH material can be used.  Make sure you know what the object looks like under glass before you pour your wax though, becuase glass can cause a magnifying or distorting effect.

Knife: you need a sharp object to trim your molded candles, and your wicks

Wicks:  make sure your wick is trimmed to give a medium sized flame. too short, and your candle wont burn right, too long and its a fire hazzard and smokes really bad.
  You can buy pre-treated wicks and wicktabs, or, you can buy a roll of cotton wick and treat it yourself. Treating is just dipping the wick in wax so it has a thin stiff coating.  tabs are good, they fasten your wick to the bottom of your container so it doesnt FLOAT before its set.

Thermometer: A long glass wax thermometer can be purchased at any craft store. You need to make sure that your wax is heated to the right temperature. Every manufacturer has different instructions, so make sure to read carefully before starting

Most things are just trial and error with candles. Even i havent created the perfect candle yet. Just remeber, little flaws can be endearing but BIG flaws can be unattractive, so follow directions as close as you can, and dont forge to cool those candles SLOWLY. dont put em in the fridge guys. thats a no no.

For the easiest candles you will ever make, try Bead Wax.  there is no Muss and no Fuss!  you just set your pretreated wick down in your container, pour the beadwax in, maybe a drop of scent oil if you'd like (JUST A DROP OR TWO, DONT GET CRAZY!!!!)  and trim your wick to size. VOILA, a greatsmelling, interesting looking candle you made yourself.
And finally, as in all crafts, just have a good time, but be SAFE!!!!!!