Introduction to making chunk candles

Chunk candles offer a creative alternative to the standard pillar candle. They are aesthetically pleasing, yet they are very easy to make. It could even be argued that they are easier to make than regular pillars. Surface blemishes that are common with standard pillars are generally a non-issue with chunk candles. Also, chunk candles cool faster than standard pillars and often do not require a repour. So, if you are looking to try something different that looks perhaps a little more sophisticated than a standard pillar, but will consistently yield attractive results, look no further than the chunk candle.

We will be making chunk candles in two phases. Phase one will be making the chunks. Phase two will be using the chunks to make the candle. The nice thing about doing it in two phases is that, for those of us with a day job, you can carryout the separate phases on separate evenings. One night you could make a ton of chunks (maybe even a variety of colors), and another night you could make a ton of candles with those chunks. You could purchase ready-made chunks from four to eight dollars per pound. But, why bother when they are so easy to make.

With the objective of keeping these instructions as brief as possible, I am assuming that the reader has made standard pillars before. If not, please review the pillar instructions. I should also mention here that while the procedure illustrated here is for chunk pillars, it could easily be adapted to making votives or containers.




Using a double boiler and a thermometer, melt your wax and bring it to a temperature of about 190 degrees F. Add any additives, dye and fragrance oil that you have chosen and mix well.

You can scent and dye the chunks, the overpour wax, or both.

For this project, I selected IGI 1343 to make the chunks as well as the overpour. If no additives are used, this wax is somewhat translucent and results in brilliant colors that have some depth to them. If you are using this wax and you intend to add fragrance oil, then the addition of vybar 103 or Universal Additive will be required. These additives will increase the opacity of the wax. In this project, I elected to forgo the use of any additives so that I could achieve a finished candle that would glow nicely from within and allow the colors to show through the wax to some degree.

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Get Started Making Your Own Candles
From hollowed-out stones filled with animal fat, to early oil lamps...from dipped tapers made from tallow, to the wonderful candles of today, humans have always sought out ways to add light to their homes. Before electricity, candles were a necessity. Now, though a necessity no longer, candles can still be abundantly found in most homes. They are decorative, useful, and help make a home more comfortable and cozy.
Making your own candles is an exciting craft that's easy to get started with. A few simple ingredients and some basic tools and equipment that you probably have in your kitchen or garage are all you need to begin making beautiful, fragrant candles.

Do you love burning beautiful, scented candles? And do you know
that you can easily make them yourself? It is exciting and not
at all difficult. Here are 12 easy steps to creating unique
candles that you can burn at home, give as gifts, or even sell.

Materials for gel candle making

You will need:

- gel
- zinc wicks (cotton wicks can’t be used for gel candles
because they absorb too much gel)
- essential oil for fragrance
- liquid color dye
- embeds (optional)

All these materials can be obtained online from candle making
suppliers. It is important to use essential oils and colors
specially made for gel candles; fragrance oils you can buy in a
cosmetic shop are not suitable. Also, you can buy a gel candle
making kit. Getting a kit is the best solution for a beginner,
because it will include everything you need to make your first
few candles.

And of course you will need a container. The best container for
a gel candle is glass, so people can see the embeds you put
inside the candle, but any non-flammable container would do.
You can use any glass, wine glass, or even a small wide vase,
but your container should be at least 2 inches in diameter.
Garage sales and second hand stores are gold mines, when it
comes to candle containers.

For embeds you can use anything non-flammable - colored
aquarium gravel, marbles, glitter, sand, sea shells, pebbles,
crystals, polished stones, artificial jewels or pearls.

Steps to making a gel candle

1. Place a little bit of hot glue in the center of the
container bottom. Stick the wick in it and let the glue set.

2. Cut the gel into small pieces so it melts faster and more
evenly. Melt it in a stainless steel pot over a medium heat.

3. The trickiest part is the temperature - you should get it to
exactly 200°F, because overheated gel looses its clarity. For
that, you will need a suitable thermometer.

4. Maintain the temperature at 200°; all the gel should melt
and become smooth, like syrup.

5. Add color dye to the melted gel, a little bit at a time,
until you get the desired color - remember, you can always add
more dye to make the color stronger, but you can’t take dye
away. For a candle with embedded objects, you should use only a little color, so the objects remain visible

6. Add the fragrance - 1/3 teaspoon for each glass of melted
gel will give it a nice scent. For a stronger scent, add a bit
more fragrance.

7. Heat the container in the oven or microwave to about
150-160°F. This will help to reduce the appearance of bubbles

8. If you want to use embeds, dip them in hot gel first and
then arrange them in the container as you like. It is better to
keep the objects closer to the sides of the container - they
will be easier to see, this way.

9. Now it is time to pour your gel into the container. Place
your container on a level surface and pour the gel slowly and
carefully down the side. If it is your first time, you will
probably get a few bubbles; to avoid that, the gel should be
still very hot.

10. Pull the wick up. Roll it on a pencil to keep it straight.

11. Let the candle cool. Trim the wick and you are done! You
have a beautiful, unique gel candle, made by yourself