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Chemical reactions happen when two substances are combined and a change occurs in the resulting mixture or chemical reactions occur when you use the product you make, as in the case of candles. This project is as much a research project as it is a hands-on inquiry project. You will present your research findings as well as video clips of you making the product & showing the final product, and presenting a conclusion of the outcome, using Flipgrid.

This project may be done individually or with a partner, or up to three maximum in a group. Choose one of the products listed below. Share your choice with your parents/guardian & get approval before you commit to your project. Your Flipgrid presentation must be 3-5 minutes in length. It will be shared with the rest of the class. Go to flipgrid.com. Tips from other students for using flipgrid is to use clips or imovie to create the video, and then upload that to flipgrid.

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How to make scented soy candles quickly & easily. A how-to guide to homemade candles using pure essential oils.

How to make scented soy candles

I have a little bit of a craft obsession.

I'm not what you'd consider good at it but I still love cracking out the scissors and glue, colouring in, fabric, stitching, paper, painting - yes I would thrive as a kindy teacher in the craft section (because they all have a special section for crafting right?)

For my Birthday one year, strange one that I am, I asked for some wax and wicks to make my own candles.

I was very excited to receive them but actually forgot about it until a while later.

Spurred on by the excitement of finding a use for my jar collection, one rainy Saturday afternoon I did a bit of Googling of how to make scented soy candles then got straight to homemade candle making.

It was pretty straightforward to make candles at home - melt, pour, leave to set, but what I didn't realise was that soy wax is a lot easier to work with than parafin wax, which I'd asked for.

It made nice homemade candles but soy wax makes them a much prettier white colour so that was what I tried next.
Disclaimer: When I originally wrote this post I didn't know about the potentially harmful health effects of artificial fragrances (which you will see in some of the original images). These days, when I make scented soy candles I use 100% pure essential oils.
What you need to make your own candles

Wax

Obviously, one of the essential ingredients of homemade candles is wax.

Make sure you get pure soy wax flakes and try to get non-GMO if possible.

There are lots of places to buy them online just do a Google or check out my resources below ( contains affiliate links).

Containters

You will need something to make your candles in.

Glass jars, ceramics and even shells make beautiful candles just make sure that your item is heat-proof up to high temperatures.

Generally if something is oven-safe then you're ok.

You can also re-use old candles.

How to get the wax out of old candles to reuse them

My homemade candle making started with seriously dead little glass votives that I'd had sitting in a drawer looking like this for years.

I never knew it was an easy task to clean them up like new but after reading a Pinterest tutorial, I was in the know.

The first step is to fill them with boiling water.

When I told mum about this after I'd done it, she warned that the glass can break if you pour the water straight into the glass jars.

Maybe heating them a little in some warm water would prevent this but mine didn't break.

Leave the water to cool and the wax should lift to the top of the water.

Some of mine stayed at the bottom but a little nudge with a fork and they popped right out.

To get rid of the black soot marks I just gave them a little scrub with dishwashing liquid and warm water and they were as good as new.

I seriously can't believe I didn't do this sooner. They were destined for the bin in my mind.

Wicks

You can use cotton or wooden wicks. I've worked with both. It depends on the look you are trying to achieve.

Essential oils

Make sure you're using 100% pure essential oils. Using artificial fragrance will give you a nice dose of some potentially nasty side-effects that are best avoided.

Glue or tape

This is to hold the wick to the bottom of the container.

Scissors

Scissors are to trim your wick.

Heat-proof container

This is for melting the wax in. You can use a pot or I prefer to use a pyrex, microwavable jug and do it in the microwave.

Stirrer

I used a paddle pop stick so I wouldn't have to worry about cleaning it after.

Measuring cup

This is to measure your wax.

Workspace cover

It's best to cover your work surface to make clean up a little easier. A big sheet of paper works perfectly.

How to make scented soy candles

Now come the technical parts of how to make soy candles.

Step one - the wicks

First up you have to add the wicks. Measure out the height just by holding it next to your container then add a few centimeters on the bottom and top.

To attach the wicks at the bottom I was very professional.

I used sticky tape. Just fold it around itself to make it double sided then secure it to the bottom of the jar.

Use a skewer to press the wicks down and stick it to the bottom.

You can get fancy little things to hold it there but sticky tape works so I'm not wasting money on something else.

A word of warning though - don't try using a hot glue gun.

The glue will melt when you add the hot wax and the wick will float up from the bottom (yes I'm telling you this from experience).

Once it's attached to the bottom you will need something to hold with wick taut and centered. You can wrap it around a skewer.

My bag clips were the perfect size to fit over the jars so I used them.

Alternatively, if you can get your hands on wood wicks they come with a little weighted stand that will hold the wick in place.

Step two - the wax

For the wax, you'll need to work out the capacity of your jars then use double the amount of flakes.

For example, if you jars hold 1 cup of liquid then you will need to measure out 2 cups of wax flakes.

Pour them into a heat-proof jug and then microwave for 1 minute. Take them out, give them a stir and microwave again for 1 minute and stir.

I used a paddle pop stick for the stirring.

If they're not melted then continue the microwave-stir 20 seconds a time until all the flakes have melted. Make sure you use an oven glove to take the jug out because it gets mighty hot - safety first!

Step three - scent the candles
How to choose your essential oils for homemade candles
When it comes to choosing your essential oils for your candle it can help to know a little of the science stuff.

Don't worry it's not too technical. In basic terms, include an oil from each of these families Top notes, Middle notes and Base notes.

Top note essential oils

These are the first oils you will smell when you smell a candle and they diccipate into the air first.

They're also usually the less expensive of the oils. Just remember this is the smell you'll get most when you sniff the candle before lighting it.

Here are some essential oils that are part of the Top Note family:

Basil (Top - Middle)

Bergamot (Top - Middle)

Cinnamon

Clary Sage (Top - Middle)

Eucalyptus

Grapefruit

Lemon

Lemongrass (Top - Middle)

Lime

Mandarin

Neroli (Top - Middle)

Orange

Peppermint

Petitgrain

Tea Tree (Top - Middle)

Middle note essential oils

These oils are a bit of a softer scent and give the creation the heart. You might not smell it at first but once the top note starts to evaporate their scent will come through.

Some middle note essential oils:

Base Note essential oils

Essential oils that are categorised as base notes last a long time and evaporate very slowly.

They slow down the evaporation of the other oils in the scent mix too so are good to create a more lingering scent.

Some base note essential oils:

Cedarwood

Cinnamon (Can be top, middle or base)

Clove

Frankincense

Jasmine

Myrrh

Neroli (Can be top, middle or base)

Patchouli

Rose

Sandalwood

Vanilla

Ylang Ylang (Base - Middle)

How to create your blend

My personal recommendation is to write down which oils from each of the top, middle and base note lists that you like and then start mixing until you get a scent that you like.

Make sure you do an initial sniff, a sniff a few minutes later and then again about 15 minutes later. This will give you the full profile of top, base and middle notes.

Alternatively, there are a lot of resources out there on the emotional benefits of essential oils so if there is a particular emotional benefit you are after, for example, calming then search for 'calming essential oils' and create a combination that you like from there.

Make sure you keep track of how many drops you add of each as you add them.

I also recommend using ceramic or glass container for mixing the oils as plastic can absorb the scent.

Once you've stirred in your fragrance, pour the wax into your containers then leave them to set for at least 12 hours.

You will notice that some of mine have little cracks. That is because I wanted them to set quickly so I could write this post.

I popped them in the fridge when they were nowhere near set so I'm guessing the bits around the outside set first then the inside sank a little as it set.

The moral of the story - be patient.

Then it's time to marvel at your perfect little creation. I was marvelling even more after an afternoon of shopping.

I saw a candle nearly exactly the same as this for $19 in one store and in others, bigger versions were selling for more than $50. I'm thinking maybe I should go into business.

How to make scented soy candles - video

They make a lovely gift especially considering you can tailor the container and 'flavour' to suit the person you're giving them to.

Happy candle making!

What about you? What would you make a candle in and what's your favourite candle scent?
Connect with Claire K Creations!
Be sure to follow me on my social media, so you never miss a post!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and tag @clairekcreations so I can see all the wonderful Claire K Creations recipes and creations YOU make!

I created a fun little group on facebook and I'd love for you to join in! It's a place where you can share YOUR favorite recipes, tips, tricks and tools for making life simpler, more natural and more connected and see what's new around here (so that you never miss a new recipe, tip or trick)! If you'd like to check it out, you can request to join HERE.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to make scented soy candles - homemade candles with essential oils

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How to make scented soy candles quickly & easily. A how-to guide to homemade candles using pure essential oils. I have a little bit of a craft obsession.

# data[].attributes.body
I'm doing the candle

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How to make scented soy candles quickly & easily. A how-to guide to homemade candles using pure essential oils.

How to make scented soy candles

I have a little bit of a craft obsession.

I'm not what you'd consider good at it but I still love cracking out the scissors and glue, colouring in, fabric, stitching, paper, painting - yes I would thrive as a kindy teacher in the craft section (because they all have a special section for crafting right?)

For my Birthday one year, strange one that I am, I asked for some wax and wicks to make my own candles.

I was very excited to receive them but actually forgot about it until a while later.

Spurred on by the excitement of finding a use for my jar collection, one rainy Saturday afternoon I did a bit of Googling of how to make scented soy candles then got straight to homemade candle making.

It was pretty straightforward to make candles at home - melt, pour, leave to set, but what I didn't realise was that soy wax is a lot easier to work with than parafin wax, which I'd asked for.

It made nice homemade candles but soy wax makes them a much prettier white colour so that was what I tried next.
Disclaimer: When I originally wrote this post I didn't know about the potentially harmful health effects of artificial fragrances (which you will see in some of the original images). These days, when I make scented soy candles I use 100% pure essential oils.
What you need to make your own candles

Wax

Obviously, one of the essential ingredients of homemade candles is wax.

Make sure you get pure soy wax flakes and try to get non-GMO if possible.

There are lots of places to buy them online just do a Google or check out my resources below ( contains affiliate links).

Containters

You will need something to make your candles in.

Glass jars, ceramics and even shells make beautiful candles just make sure that your item is heat-proof up to high temperatures.

Generally if something is oven-safe then you're ok.

You can also re-use old candles.

How to get the wax out of old candles to reuse them

My homemade candle making started with seriously dead little glass votives that I'd had sitting in a drawer looking like this for years.

I never knew it was an easy task to clean them up like new but after reading a Pinterest tutorial, I was in the know.

The first step is to fill them with boiling water.

When I told mum about this after I'd done it, she warned that the glass can break if you pour the water straight into the glass jars.

Maybe heating them a little in some warm water would prevent this but mine didn't break.

Leave the water to cool and the wax should lift to the top of the water.

Some of mine stayed at the bottom but a little nudge with a fork and they popped right out.

To get rid of the black soot marks I just gave them a little scrub with dishwashing liquid and warm water and they were as good as new.

I seriously can't believe I didn't do this sooner. They were destined for the bin in my mind.

Wicks

You can use cotton or wooden wicks. I've worked with both. It depends on the look you are trying to achieve.

Essential oils

Make sure you're using 100% pure essential oils. Using artificial fragrance will give you a nice dose of some potentially nasty side-effects that are best avoided.

Glue or tape

This is to hold the wick to the bottom of the container.

Scissors

Scissors are to trim your wick.

Heat-proof container

This is for melting the wax in. You can use a pot or I prefer to use a pyrex, microwavable jug and do it in the microwave.

Stirrer

I used a paddle pop stick so I wouldn't have to worry about cleaning it after.

Measuring cup

This is to measure your wax.

Workspace cover

It's best to cover your work surface to make clean up a little easier. A big sheet of paper works perfectly.

How to make scented soy candles

Now come the technical parts of how to make soy candles.

Step one - the wicks

First up you have to add the wicks. Measure out the height just by holding it next to your container then add a few centimeters on the bottom and top.

To attach the wicks at the bottom I was very professional.

I used sticky tape. Just fold it around itself to make it double sided then secure it to the bottom of the jar.

Use a skewer to press the wicks down and stick it to the bottom.

You can get fancy little things to hold it there but sticky tape works so I'm not wasting money on something else.

A word of warning though - don't try using a hot glue gun.

The glue will melt when you add the hot wax and the wick will float up from the bottom (yes I'm telling you this from experience).

Once it's attached to the bottom you will need something to hold with wick taut and centered. You can wrap it around a skewer.

My bag clips were the perfect size to fit over the jars so I used them.

Alternatively, if you can get your hands on wood wicks they come with a little weighted stand that will hold the wick in place.

Step two - the wax

For the wax, you'll need to work out the capacity of your jars then use double the amount of flakes.

For example, if you jars hold 1 cup of liquid then you will need to measure out 2 cups of wax flakes.

Pour them into a heat-proof jug and then microwave for 1 minute. Take them out, give them a stir and microwave again for 1 minute and stir.

I used a paddle pop stick for the stirring.

If they're not melted then continue the microwave-stir 20 seconds a time until all the flakes have melted. Make sure you use an oven glove to take the jug out because it gets mighty hot - safety first!

Step three - scent the candles
How to choose your essential oils for homemade candles
When it comes to choosing your essential oils for your candle it can help to know a little of the science stuff.

Don't worry it's not too technical. In basic terms, include an oil from each of these families Top notes, Middle notes and Base notes.

Top note essential oils

These are the first oils you will smell when you smell a candle and they diccipate into the air first.

They're also usually the less expensive of the oils. Just remember this is the smell you'll get most when you sniff the candle before lighting it.

Here are some essential oils that are part of the Top Note family:

Basil (Top - Middle)

Bergamot (Top - Middle)

Cinnamon

Clary Sage (Top - Middle)

Eucalyptus

Grapefruit

Lemon

Lemongrass (Top - Middle)

Lime

Mandarin

Neroli (Top - Middle)

Orange

Peppermint

Petitgrain

Tea Tree (Top - Middle)

Middle note essential oils

These oils are a bit of a softer scent and give the creation the heart. You might not smell it at first but once the top note starts to evaporate their scent will come through.

Some middle note essential oils:

Base Note essential oils

Essential oils that are categorised as base notes last a long time and evaporate very slowly.

They slow down the evaporation of the other oils in the scent mix too so are good to create a more lingering scent.

Some base note essential oils:

Cedarwood

Cinnamon (Can be top, middle or base)

Clove

Frankincense

Jasmine

Myrrh

Neroli (Can be top, middle or base)

Patchouli

Rose

Sandalwood

Vanilla

Ylang Ylang (Base - Middle)

How to create your blend

My personal recommendation is to write down which oils from each of the top, middle and base note lists that you like and then start mixing until you get a scent that you like.

Make sure you do an initial sniff, a sniff a few minutes later and then again about 15 minutes later. This will give you the full profile of top, base and middle notes.

Alternatively, there are a lot of resources out there on the emotional benefits of essential oils so if there is a particular emotional benefit you are after, for example, calming then search for 'calming essential oils' and create a combination that you like from there.

Make sure you keep track of how many drops you add of each as you add them.

I also recommend using ceramic or glass container for mixing the oils as plastic can absorb the scent.

Once you've stirred in your fragrance, pour the wax into your containers then leave them to set for at least 12 hours.

You will notice that some of mine have little cracks. That is because I wanted them to set quickly so I could write this post.

I popped them in the fridge when they were nowhere near set so I'm guessing the bits around the outside set first then the inside sank a little as it set.

The moral of the story - be patient.

Then it's time to marvel at your perfect little creation. I was marvelling even more after an afternoon of shopping.

I saw a candle nearly exactly the same as this for $19 in one store and in others, bigger versions were selling for more than $50. I'm thinking maybe I should go into business.

How to make scented soy candles - video

They make a lovely gift especially considering you can tailor the container and 'flavour' to suit the person you're giving them to.

Happy candle making!

What about you? What would you make a candle in and what's your favourite candle scent?
Connect with Claire K Creations!
Be sure to follow me on my social media, so you never miss a post!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and tag @clairekcreations so I can see all the wonderful Claire K Creations recipes and creations YOU make!

I created a fun little group on facebook and I'd love for you to join in! It's a place where you can share YOUR favorite recipes, tips, tricks and tools for making life simpler, more natural and more connected and see what's new around here (so that you never miss a new recipe, tip or trick)! If you'd like to check it out, you can request to join HERE.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to make scented soy candles - homemade candles with essential oils

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
How to make scented soy candles quickly & easily. A how-to guide to homemade candles using pure essential oils. I have a little bit of a craft obsession.

# data[].attributes.body
the wick
the wax
100% pure oil
glass container
tape