Why I make Soy Candles
If like me, you're a candle person who prefers to create a more natural and healthy atmosphere in your home, these scented soy candles will be the perfect alternative for you. Soy candles don't give off any soot like paraffin wax candles do which means they won't increase the CO2 levels in your home. Soy candles are also long-lasting and have a gorgeously smooth and creamy look about them. They are quick and easy to make and if you give them as gifts, no one will suspect that they didn't cost a fortune or come from a swanky high street store!
Every home magazine I pick up lately seems to feature shots of gorgeous glass candles like these. I see them on coffee tables, placed on stacks of books, or in beautiful trays next to a steaming cuppa. It seems, no bathroom or bedroom is complete without at least one of these versatile decorating accessories, gracing the bedside or burning away on a rustic wooden bathtub tray.
Burning scented soy candles is one of my favorite ways of creating a sense of warmth and comfort in my home. There's something about that soft flickering candlelight that instantly makes you feel all warm and cozy on the inside too.
On the rare occasions, I'm 'home alone', I love to put on my favorite music, grab a book and a glass of wine, light one (or more!) of my scented soy candles, snuggle up on the sofa and enjoy a relaxing evening to myself – pure bliss! You can read more about how I use my soy candles in the post How to welcome Autumn into your home.
Free Soy candle Labels
Before we start with the tutorial, I'm sure you know by now, that I never make anything like this without creating some lovely freebie labels for you too. I haven't included any particular scent on these so that you can use them on any candle, whichever scented oil you choose to use. The labels have already been uploaded to the free subscriber library and if you've forgotten the password it's at the bottom of the weekly newsletter as always. If you're not part of our amazing creative community yet but would love to join us, you can sign up for the weekly newsletter through the form below – we'd love to have you on board 🙂
OK, so here's the bit where I have to tell you about the peanuts I may receive if you decide to purchase any of the things you'll need for this project through one of my links 😉
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AND here's the bit where you have to get a little crafty 🙂
How to make calming, scented soy candles
Ingredients for making scented soy candles
Soy wax flakes – (Whichever votive you use, you will need to fill it with soy wax flakes twice which will give you the right amount for one candle).
Organic Essential oil of choice – Here is some to try from Organic Aromas or Etsy. I used lavender (Hence, calming, scented soy candles)
Water
Tools for making scented soy candles
Candle wicks – you can also use wooden wicks to change up the look
Candle adhesive buttons (to keep your wick in place - see below)
Printer sticker paper (plain sheet) or
Normal printer paper with either double-sided sticky tape or Pritt-stick (If using my free labels)
Bain-marie – I used a pyrex jug with a handle and hooked it over the side of a
Saucepan
spoon
Clothes-peg
Scissors
My lovely printable labels 😉
Instructions for making scented soy candles
STEP 1
If you have a bain-marie, I recommend you use that to melt your wax. You can also melt the wax flakes in a bowl over a saucepan of simmering (not boiling) hot water. Don't let the bowl touch the bottom of the pan otherwise, the wax may burn. For this reason, I usually use a Pyrex (glass) jug with a handle and hook it over the side of a small saucepan which creates the double boiler effect. I don't recommend melting the flakes in a microwave simply because you can't control the temperature well enough and again, you might end up burning the wax.
STEP 2
As explained above, you will need to fill your glass jar with soy wax flakes twice which will give you the right amount for one candle. (Soy wax flakes melt to half the volume).
STEP 3
It will only take a few minutes for the soy flakes to melt completely. If you are melting your flakes in a glass bowl or jug like me, take it out of the saucepan and place it on a cooling rack. If you are using a bain-marie you can pour the melted wax into a clean glass jar first if you like.
STEP 4
Once the wax has cooled slightly you can add the essential oil(s) and stir thoroughly. Be sure to add the oil(s) before the wax starts to harden again. In most of my natural products, you'll see I usually only add a maximum of 20 drops of oil. For these scented soy candles, I up the ante a little and use around 100 drops. I find that natural essential oils are not as strongly perfumed as synthetically made, commercial brands that can be very highly perfumed. You may have to experiment a bit until you find the right amount of fragrance for you. I find that using 100 drops gives me a gorgeous hint of scent without being totally overpowering.
TIP: Essential oils can be very powerful but it's important to know how to use them safely. I recommend taking a look at 'Essential Oils Safety' at Organic Aromas before you start.
STEP 5
Soy candles with buttons
If you are using the wax buttons, place one of these in the bottom of your glass jar so that it's centered in the middle. Press the metal part of the wick into the wax button. This will keep it in place whilst you pour in the wax. Keep the wick upright and centered by clipping it with a clothes peg placed across the top of the glass.
Soy candles without buttons
Here's what to do if you don't have any wax buttons to hand. Pour a small amount of the soy candle wax into your jar (enough to cover the bottom of the glass). Place a wick into the wax in the center of the jar and either hold it in place until the wax hardens or hold it in place with a peg. Fill up the jar with more melted wax almost but not quite up to the top of the jar to allow for the melted wax to pool when the candle is burning.
STEP 6
Leave your lovely scented soy candles to harden overnight. Don't be tempted to light them beforehand because I can tell you now, they won't burn properly if you do – impatient person right here! Don't try to speed up the process by putting them in the fridge either unless you want cracks all over your candle - yes, I tried that one too!
STEP 7
Once you've allowed your scented soy candles to harden overnight, they should look smooth and creamy on top. Now you can cut the wick if it's a little long and attach my lovely labels. If you print them out on plain printer paper you will need to use some double-sided sticky tape or Pritt-stick to attach the labels to the glass.
The candles are set and are creamy and smooth on top!
If you use printer paper for labels, I recommend using a plain sheet and cutting the labels out separately so you don't have to worry about lining them up.
STEP 8
Enjoy!
Of course, it will be tempting to keep these gorgeously scented soy candles all to yourself but I recommend spreading the love and making someone's eyes light up with joy when they receive this beautiful gift! Why not round it up with a custom-made matchbox or jar too? Buy some matches, place them in a jar, and tape a piece of striking paper (sandpaper will do) to the side – Voila!
Have you tried making your own candles? If so, what are your favorite fragrances to use? If not, do you think this is something you would try?
If you liked this post, maybe you'll like these too:
How to make a Zero Waste Autumn Tablescape
How to make beautiful pressed flower lanterns – Easy DIY
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