Get Creative With Candle Making Molds

Candle making is a creative art that requires many different supplies. Wax is obviously the most important. After wax, the candle making mold is a very important supply. Candles such as votive candles and pillar candles utilize molds of varying shapes and sizes.

Molds are used to make candles of different heights and shapes. Some molds can be made out of items that may found around the house. A tall cylindrical container (such as from Pringles chips) can be used to make a pillar candle. Molds can also be purchased at many craft and fabric stores. Votive candles are typically two inches tall and about cylindrical (round) in their shape.

Votive candles are great for decorating with because their diminutive size adds subtle spots of light wherever they are placed. Their small size makes them very versatile -- they can be used anywhere from the bathroom to the dining room table. Though small, they can have fragrance added to them that can fill a room. Votive candles can also be made into different with items that can be found around the home -- such as muffin tins, tart molds, small cups, etc. Small votives are fun to use as floating candles that can be placed in swimming pools, bowls of water, or bathtubs.

Another type of votive candle is the tea light. These are made from molds which are short and round. Tea lights are tiny and easy to group for a dramatic effect. Pillar candle molds also come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Pillar candles require a firmer wax, compared to votive candles, because pillars must resist melting. The firmer candle wax makes it possible to create larger candles that can keep their shape.

Making any type of molded candle uses the same general process. After the candle wax is melted, dyes and fragrances are added, then wax must be cooled to 150 degrees, finally the wax is poured into the mold. Molds must be heat resistant (or the hot wax will melt them) and be smooth on the inside so that the candle can be easily removed after cooling.

If a proper candle making mold is used, the candle will easily slip out with a gentle tug on the wick. After the candle has been removed from the mold there is nothing left to do but enjoy your beautiful creation.