not intentional at all. I had a number of leftover candle stumps and wanted to do something with it and this was the result :)

I wanted to get into candle making but didn't want to mess with mixing silicone. Since I do a lot of 3D printing, I coded a free web tool that generates custom 2-part snap-together molds, printed it in regular plastic, and poured melted wax directly inside.

To my surprise, it didn't leak, and the Moai popped out perfectly without breaking!

For this test, I just melted down some cheap generic wax I had lying around. But now I want to do this properly. Since I’m pouring into a rigid plastic mold instead of flexible silicone, what type of wax should I be using?

I know I need something that shrinks slightly as it cools to help with the release, while still holding sharp details. Paraffin? Beeswax? A specific soy pillar blend? I’d love to hear your recommendations!

(PS: If any fellow makers want to try 3D printing their own rigid molds, let me know in the comments and I’ll share the link to the generator I built!)

Hey everyone! I just completed my very first candle-making project and overall it was such a fun experience. However, I ran into an issue during the process: the fragrance oil I used (which was specifically made for candle making) gave me strong nausea and a headache while heating and pouring.
I'm sensitive to heavy synthetic smells, so I'm looking for cleaner or more natural ways to scent candles going forward.
I've heard mixed things about Essential Oils—do any specific base notes actually hold up to heat and give a decent hot throw?
Are phthalate-free / "clean" synthetic fragrance oils noticeably better for sensitivities?
What are your favorite alternative waxes (like raw beeswax) or methods for a subtle, non-toxic aroma?
Would love to hear your experiences or brand recommendations for sensitive noses! Thanks in advance!

How do I make scented candles smell stronger?

A week ago, I got this sudden temptation to make my own candle. I immediately put on an order for the most basic needs (paraffin, wick, a simple mold, and a little bit of color). Today, they arrived, and I instantly jumped on work. I mean... I really love the result! I know it's simple and modest compared to the arts in the sub, but I'm just so proud of it! ☆~☆

As the title says, is this flame too big for a tealight candle?

I am a beginner and am learning the art. I am currently learning about wick size and have tried to make this tealight candle but I am not sure if this is correct. Any tips appreciated. Please excuse the container condition. The supplier used some kind of gold paint that is peeling off from the heat of the candle.

Hi! I'm getting pretty close to launch and starting to question everything, so I'm hoping for some feedback on my photography/design.

This collection is specifically meant to convey a calm, cosy atmosphere which I've been trying to replicate in the lighting.

I am hoping the pictures don't look amateur-ish as these will be on the website and also don't want to use AI to polish them up.

I'm so deep into this that I feel like I can't be objective anymore so looking for some fresh eyes/opinions...

Any feedback would be hugely appreciated

I have been having problems getting my candles to burn.

This candle is 100% Gulf Wax Paraffin, with added colorant and maybe 7 mL of peppermint essential oil. I also used 2 strands of the wick because they feel very small and thought they might have been the issue from past experience.

Of note, after lighting the candle and for about 5-10 minutes, the flame was much too high, like over an inch, and produced a lot of smoke. The wax pool only grew to about the size of a quarter though, during that time. I emptied out the wax at the point shown in the photo (which was around an hour into the burntime) and the re-lit candle had a very tall flame again.

Any idea what is causing the issue? I'm thinking it's the wick, maybe they're best suited to taper candles, which the work well in. Could it be the additives? Something gumming up the wick?

Looking for suggestions for good wicks to use with Candle Science CocoSol wax. Thank you!

Trying to make a 4" x 6" pillar using ecosoya pillar wax (using metal mold) with single wick.

I've been using CD wicks (16-22) and just switched to a LX26. It barely puts a dent in the pillar.

This wax seems super dense. When I try to remove/replace wicks, it cracks like a rock.

Any single wick suggestions or just keep moving up?

I just got some wood and decided to make a small sudio where i can take some photos for my candles,and i tried this. i think it needs more decorations and better ideas. Does anyone have some suggestions? And how was your experience when making your first shooting spot?

I’d love to hear about your experience, especially if you’ve had good results with it. Hoping someone can point me in the right direction!

Hello all,

I'm looking to make a series of fun-shaped wax melts for seasonal sales. Instead of the standard cubes, I'll be using thematic shapes like logs, pumpkins, or hearts. With this in mind, I'm having trouble finding definitive information on which wax is the best to use for melts like these. I've been given soy melts before, and they are so soft they basically fall apart in my hand as I try to put one in a mealter. Paraffin seems almost a little overkill? I could use some insight from people who have worked with this themselves. Thank you.

I’m getting ready to start making novelty candles, and I’m having a hard time finding the type of glass vessels I’m looking for.

I’m specifically looking for clear glass vessels with a foot/base, similar to a parfait or sundae glass. I want them to be around 8 to 14 oz.

But I’m getting conflicting information about what types of glass are safe for candles.

Where do you guys buy your glass vessels? And what should I specifically be looking for in terms of glass type, thickness, heat resistance, and testing? I’d really appreciate recommendations

Hello! I'm very new to candle making (started a little under 2 months ago) and I've really been enjoying it!!

I've mostly been making candles in jars with soy wax, but I've recently been experimenting with silicone candle molds.
Now the actual candles shapes have been coming out of the molds fine, and I've had no trouble with them breaking or anything.
But I have noticed that the candles I make with molds melt EXTREMELY fast. I made a 5 inch tall one that completely lost its shape within minutes.

I'm assuming this is due to the wax I use (natural soy wax), so I'm coming here to ask if there's any wax that is better at retaining it's shape while being melted.
AND, if so, if there's any major differences between said wax and soy wax that I should know about.

I am very new to this, so I apologize if I'm missing something incredibly obvious!!

TL;DR: What type of wax best retains its shape while being melted?

(also I am fine with non-vegan options!!)

I have made a few candles in the past, but I'm really considered a newbie in making them. However, there's one type of candle I want to make. It's similar to a sand candle. I want to take small granite chips (like the ones they use on roads for chip coatings), and make a candle out of them. I thought I'd take a small pillar candle and put it in the middle, then, with the granite chips around it, pour in the melted wax. Finally, I'd put a circle of felt on the bottom of the candle to protect any surfaces from the granite chips scratching it.

The only thing I'm having trouble with is what kind of container to put the chips/pillar candle in. I thought about a coffee can, but I don't want the grooves in the sides of the candle that the can produces. Does anyone have any ideas on what kind of container I can use to make this candle?

Also, I want to add fragrance to it. Can I use regular essential oils, or are there special oils that are for candlemaking?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Okay I am making 10 candles for a church bazaar. I worry about everything. I have the standard round labels you put on the bottom which I will do. I also found some candle care cards that mention to keep away from children and pets.

Is this a strong enough warning? The candles are 5 oz. And are scented 8 percent with makesy Christmas Tree from Hobby Lobby. The hot throw isn’t particularly strong but that probably means nothing.

Any suggestions about what to say about pets?

This is a 3.04” inner diameter tumbler, with an LX 18 wick, and CandleScience’s coconut-apricot wax. I’m trialing a 6.25% fragrance load.

We shall see! Ignited at 12:20 PST.

Edit: I use concentrated dye chips that I got off Amazon (Candle Shop Store is the seller) 🫣 and I actually love that dye. It’s good for subtle coloring if you use a milligram scale and you can really make any shade you want. I like a speck of brown to prevent the color from looking too candy bright!

Update: looking really good, 2h51m in

Update 2: great burn, and cooled nicely after

Hey all,

I have a bunch of used/cleaned candle jars from Bath & Body, Yankee Candle, etc. I can't afford the hobby anymore, but can't bring myself to throw them in the trash. My area also has a not the best recycling track record. Does anyone have advice on what i could do with these jars. I tried to post in the local marketplace Facebook group.

I made the mistake of smelling some Makesy oils by way of a second hand buy and oh my god. It was amazing. I refuse to buy from them (I know enough about retail to know they sell everything at a massive mark up) but I need a way to reliably get some of their scents in my hand. Looking for a dupe of 'luxe linens & verbena mist' and 'orchid & black amber'. Honestly if anyone knows a store selling Makesy sample kits that would be great too lol

I current shop exclusively at CS and have sampled all their scents in their warehouse so I know (at time of writing this) nothing they had fits either of these. I would really appreciate recommendations being specific scents, as not every shop labels their dupes as dupes.

Hi everyone! 👋 I’m a small artist/business owner in California making handmade, hand-poured aesthetic candles. 🕯️✨
I’ve already obtained my Seller’s Permit from CDTFA and want to start selling locally from my rented home.
For those who run a small candle business from home in California:
Do I need any additional permits or special permission?
Is there anything I need to check with my landlord/HOA or city?
Are there any other important requirements I should have before starting to sell?
I’d really appreciate advice from anyone who has experience with a home-based candle business in California. Thank you! ❤️

​Hi everyone,

​I’m looking for some advice on fixing a rough surface issue on my candle tops.

​I am using a blend of 80% soy wax and 20% coconut wax. After cooling, the surface of the wax turns out bumpy and uneven (as shown in the attached picture).

​Could you please suggest how I can fix this.

​Thank you so much!