DIY Crystal Candle Tutorial

Learn how to make your own soy candles with crystals! These are great for setting an intention for yourself, or for giving as a gift! Try out these two ways of creating a crystal candle. 

METHOD 1: Make a candle from scratch!

Materials Needed:

• Candle Making Kit (or: soy wax, candle container, wick, double boiler/heatproof measuring cup)
• Crystals (you can choose to research what kind of crystals you want, as each has its own properties)
• Dried herbs/petals (optional)
• Essential Oils (if you want a scented candle)
• Scissors
• Candy thermometer
• Hairdryer (optional)
  

Disclaimer: Always use a thermometer when melting wax, and be careful when handling the hot wax. Always keep an eye on your candle when it is burning and don’t let it burn for more than 4 hours at a time. Be very cautious when adding dried herbs and flowers to decorate your candle, keep the dried additives away from the wick and flame. Candles in containers may get very hot when lit, place the container on a heat-resistant surface. Growandmake.com assumes no responsibility for injury which may result from candle making.

Steps:

1. Cover your workstation with plastic wrap for easier cleanup. If you get wax on anything just use some hot water to scrub the wax off.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Prepare the container and wick. Use a tiny piece of putty or double-stick tape to place the wick in the center of the container and press firmly. A clothespin or two sticks can be used to hold your wick in place.
   
   
3. There are two ways to melt your wax: a double boiler on the stove or a heat-proof measuring cup in the microwave. Use a thermometer to keep track of temperature. The optimal temperature of the melted wax should be around 170F (77C) degrees.
   DOUBLE BOILER METHOD:
   Set up a double boiler by setting a heat-proof bowl or measuring cup into a pot with a few inches of water. The water should be well below the lip of the inner bowl. Add your wax to the inner bowl, heat your water to boiling, and stir constantly.
   MICROWAVE METHOD:
   Use a heat-proof measuring cup and place in the microwave for 1 minute. Stir wax. Keep heating in 1-minute intervals until the wax is fully melted.
   
   IMPORTANT: WAX HAS A FLASH POINT GENERALLY BETWEEN 290F-380F (143C-193C) AND MAY BURST INTO FLAMES ONCE IT REACHES THAT POINT.
   
   
4. After heating your wax to the appropriate temperature, it is time to add your favorite scent, whether it be essential oils or perfume/cologne. Add at least 10-15 drops of fragrance and stir slowly for one minute, add more or less depending on the scent strength you desire. Add enough fragrance until it has a level of scent that you feel you can recognize but is not over-powering. This will allow the wax and fragrance oil to bond together. Remove from heat.
   
   
5. Pick out some of your favorite herbs or flower petals to place in the candle along with your crystals.
   
   
   
   
   
6. Pour the wax into your chosen container and fill about ¾ with wax. Wait a few minutes for the wax to begin solidifying, then start strategically placing herbs or petals into the wax. They will start to sink, this is normal. As your candle burns, the herbs/petals will still be visible. Be sure to place dry materials about a ½ inch in diameter away from the wick to prevent herbs and petals from catching fire. As the wax is hardening, continue to place the petals on top.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Use your favorite crystals or stones to add some extra magic. Place crystals on top while the top layer of wax is still melty but the rest of the candle is firm. If crystals start to sink, remove them and let the wax cool a bit longer. If cracking happens, use a hair dryer to remelt the top layer of the candle, or you can pour any leftover wax on top to smooth it out.
   
   
8. Wait a few hours for the wax to fully set, trim the wick to about ¼ inch, then light them up and enjoy! Be sure to keep an eye on the candle while it burns to prevent fire.

METHOD 2: "Cheat" with a pre-made candle!