DIY Hand Dipped Candles
Our son, John, loves making candles and he’s sharing his fun and easy DIY Hand Dipped Candles today on the blog.
I was trying to get this post done before the holidays because I thought it would be great for your holiday tables BUT this is a great winter craft and candles are special any time of the year!
We actually eat by candle light EVERY night.
These candles are fun to make and they look so pretty on a table. I love how the natural bees wax is a warm white not stark white. Another thing I love about them is how drippy they are! I love drippy candles. Is there anything more romantic?
We made you guys a little video…
I thought I’d break down the step by steps, too. There’s a printable craft DIY (at the end of the post) that you can save for your files, too.
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How to Make DIY Hand Dipped Candles
Materials
- Natural Bees Wax (we order 10 pounds)
- Natural Bees Wax Wicks
- Double Boiler to Melt Wax (we use an old lobster pot and a popcorn tin)
- Water Container
- Nuts (to add weight to prevent the candles from floating and sticking together)
- Off cuts of wood with grooves to hold candles in place while dipping
- Mitre Box
- Saw
Method
Time needed: 3 hours
Melt Bees Wax for Dipped Candles
- Melting Bees Wax
Create a double boiler to melt bees wax. We bought a lobster pot and popcorn tin at Savers just for making candles. DO NOT use your regular pots and pans as the wax will ruin them.
Special Note – Don’t put too much water in the lobster pot. This step takes a LONG time. We waited 1 1/2 – 2 hours for wax to melt.
- Measure Wicks and attach nuts
While wax melting, measure wicks to the desired length. Remember to add a little extra so you have room to tie your nuts on. The nuts weigh down the wicks for dipping.
- Create Wick Holders
With old off cut pieces of wood, make wick holders. We used a mitre box and saw to create the grooves. Place wicks in holders.
- Dipping Candles
Once wax is completely melted, dip your weighted wicks in wax and immediately dip into a bucket of water. Continue dipping in wax followed by water until the candles are the thickness you want.
Special Note – the candle length is dependent on the depth and amount of wax. - Prep Candles
Remove the nuts from your candles and trim the wick top before use.
Special Note – you can peel the wax off the nuts after, and you can re-use that wax for your next batch. - Enjoy your candles
Your candles are ready to use!
Now your ready to use your candles!
Answering Your Questions About Hand Dipped Candles
Yes, it’s a messy process. Wax drips everywhere when John makes these, but I’m able to remove the wax drips with a plastic paint scraper.
I would say our candles burn for a few hours.
No, bees wax candles drip but I like the romance of that. Watching the rivulets of wax drip down is mesmerizing!
Yes, but we haven’t tried that yet. To naturally change the color you can add spices. Otherwise, you can add melted wax crayons.
Yes, you can but it doesn’t hold the scent as well as other waxes.
If you enjoyed reading about these DIY Hand Dipped Candles then you might also like these other DIY candles we did with soy wax:
Let us know if you have any questions about this tutorial! We’d love to see your hand dipped candles or the other types above. Please tag us when you share photos!
They look beautiful on your table. Good job, John. I love the drippiness of them…so classic looking!!! Great video too!!….you make it look so easy.
Thanks, Josette. I’m so glad you enjoyed reading the post. LOVE the drippiness of them, too. So romantic! xx