First, gather all the necessary materials you will need to make candles. These include a double boiler, a Popsicle stick, some cotton string, some wax paper, and a mold for your candle. When preparing a mold, look for a used container, such as a milk carton or a tin can, and coat the inside with oil. Next, decide on what kind of wax you will be using for your candles. There are basically 3 kinds to choose from: paraffin wax, beeswax and soy wax. Of these, paraffin is most commonly used.

Step 2: Melt the wax.

Now that you have everything you need, you can start making the candle proper. Never heat wax directly; always use a double boiler. You can also make an improvised one, by placing a coffee can inside a pot containing some water. Place this set-up on the stove using high heat and start warming up the water. When you start heating, don’t let the water dry out; there should always be some water inside the pot. Cut the paraffin wax into small pieces and place it into the coffee can. Stir this mixture using a Popsicle stick or an old spoon. At this point, you can add scents or coloring if you want.

Step 3: Insert the wick.

Use some thick cotton string for the wick. Make it approximately 2 to 3 inches longer than your candle. Make a small hole at the bottom of the mold and thread the wick through. Plug the hole with a small piece of wax paper. Tie the opposite end of the wick to a pencil to help it stay in the center of the mold.

Step 4: Mold the wax.

Once the wax has melted, remove the coffee can from the pot. Allow the wax to cool down for several minutes. Next, pour it slowly into the mold, carefully leaving a small space at the top. Allow the wax to cool down for about a day.

Step 5: Remove the candle.

When the wax has hardened, slowly and carefully remove the candle from the mold. Ta-da! You have your very own candle!