Making homemade candles is fun and easy. Figuring out where to go from there is a bit harder. While many of the big, national craft stores sell candle making supplies and kits, their offerings are not always of the best quality, and their selections tend to be very limited. A large part of learning the craft is trial and error.
First, decide what kind of candles you are going to make. The most important thing to keep in mind is to buy only the supplies that you will be needing. With as many supplies as there are available, it is tempting to want to buy anything and everything that looks appealing.
Keep in mind that you are most likely going to make adjustments in your supplies and techniques as you get going. While bulk buying may offer significant cost savings, we advise you to purchase in smaller quantities when you are just getting started. It doesn't make much sense to purchase fifty pounds of something that ends up not working to your satisfaction.
Shop around for your supplies. You may find better prices or widely different offerings from one supplier to another. Suppliers in your area may save you substantial money on shipping so see what you can buy close to home when possible.
When it comes to making candles, cheaper is not always better. You pay for quality. As you will quickly learn, you do get what you pay for. This becomes very apparent as you start working with your different waxes and fragrances.
Below is our favorite candle making books. You may want to consider purchasing a book on the subject because it covers more than we do here for you. Don't be afraid to experiment, and most of all, have fun in your new endeavor.