An Introduction to Soy Candle Making with Frosa Katsis

Events Victoria P/L Tel 0409821444 www.soy-candles.com.au [email protected]

What is Soy Wax, Why is it used for candles and what is the difference?
Biodegradable, cool burning, no smoke or soot, burns longer and cleaner.

 Selecting the right jars

LET'S MAKE CANDLES- BASIC INSTRUCTIONS.

1/ Choose the appropriate container for your candle (Check our tips on selecting the right container).
Container wax can only be used in heat-safe glassware as it adheres to the glass. It's not important
to know what size your container is if you are doing large batches ie 1 litre of more as you will add the
appropriate amount of colour and fragrance per weight of wax rather than the size of the jar.

The wax can be melted in either a double-boiler or as we will in class in a rice cooker. Please
remember that the rice cooker does not usually have any temperature control, so NEVER leave your
wax unattended. When the wax melts, it is just like any other oil and flammable.
The easiest way is to heat and melt half the wax, then allow the heat in the container and the liquid
wax to melt the rest.

2/ While the wax is melting, prepare your containers by selecting the wick you will use and the
fragrance and colour. A wick sizing template is always handy when you are first starting off.
Whichever company you choose for your wick supplies, they will recommend for which jars they are.
The best thing to do,is to at first try making an unscented and uncoloured wax, so that you can get
your technique right.

3/ You can use a thermometer, but it is not really necessary. You do not need a thermometer to tell
you your wax is melted , and this is all you want to do at this stage. Put just enough heat into it to
melt your wax.

4/ To prepare your jars, there are three things you need to do.
a/ Check your jars for chips and cracks
b/ Sticks your wicks down to the base to prevent them from sliding when all the wax melts by
using a wick stickum. These are just double-sided stickers.
c/ Place your safety sticker on the base of the jar. This is a requirement by law.

Want to learn? Visit melbourne.lanewaylearning.com Want to teach? Contact [email protected]

6/If you prefer a natural white colour for your candle, then no colour needs to be added. Alternatively
for colour you have the option of either using the clour chips and in this case you can drop the chips
into the melting wax or the concentrated liquid colours can be used. Remember, it is much easier to
darken a wax than it is to lighten, so be careful.

7/Remember, not to overdo the fragrance. 30 gm/450 mls is sufficient. The absolute maximum you
can use for soy wax is 10 %, and it is recommended that you weigh the fragrance rather than
measure it by volume. The reason for this is that the density of the fragrances varies, so the more
accurate way is to weigh them. For example for a 1 kilo batch of wax, you would weigh out 100 gm of
fragrance if you wanted the 10 % max. fragrance load.

Question: When is the correct temperature to add the fragrance? Remember that your fragrances
have a flash point of around 55C, so adding your fragrance when the wax is hotter than this will mean
that the fragrance will evaporate before the candle even sets. By adding the fragrance at a
temperature lower than the flash point, the first time it will be released is when the wick is light.

8/ Ensure you mix both the colour and fragrance sufficently without over stirring which can create
bubbles in your finished candles.

9/ The wax is ready to pour when the container is cool to touch or the wax is starting to cloud. If you
find it has set too much, reheat it slightly or sit the container in hot water.

10/ It is recommended that you leave your candles for 24 hrs to cool and set. Longer time is
necessary if multi-wicked or large containers are used.

Further resources
We run workshops at Gasworks Arts Park in Albert Park from March until December on either a
Saturday or Sunday as well as at our home base in South Gisborne. Both class venues can be
booked via our website www.soy-candles.com.au or via our page on We Teach Me
https://weteachme.com/soycandles/soy-candle-making-workshop
These are 3 hour classes and the cost includes your 3 hours of tuition, your wax, wicks, wick stickers
etc to make your jars, tealights and melts.

We also run soap running classes using melt & pour soap base as well as a skincare class called
Rubs, Scrubs and Suds.

Want to learn? Visit melbourne.lanewaylearning.com Want to teach? Contact [email protected]