5 candle making tips for beginners

Light your creativity and craft with confidence

So, you’ve decided to try your hand at candle making—congratulations! Whether you’re in it for the joy of creating something handmade, the chance to unleash your inner artist, or just the excuse to make your home smell amazing, you’re in for a rewarding (and delightfully fragrant) journey. But let’s be honest—getting started can feel a bit overwhelming. What’s a melt pool? How do you avoid tunneling? And why does the fragrance smell different once the wax cools?

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. At Honey Willow, we believe in sharing the knowledge that lights the way to creative confidence. Here are five essential tips to help you kick off your candle-making adventure and avoid common pitfalls along the way.

1. Keep a candle-making journal

Candle making is part art, part science, and part trial and error. The secret to mastering it? Keeping notes. Record every detail of your process so you can replicate what works (and avoid what doesn’t).
Here’s what to track:

• The type of wax and wick used.
• Fragrance percentage and temperature at which you added it.
• The temperature you poured the wax.
• Results after the first burn test (e.g., tunneling, soot, melt pool, etc.).

To make things easier, download our free Candle Testing Worksheet. It’s designed to help you track every detail and improve your results over time. Think of it as your candle-making playbook—it’ll save you time, effort, and frustration while helping you perfect your craft.

2. Understand the basics of fragrance throw

If you’re like most candle enthusiasts, fragrance is what drew you into candle making. But there’s an art to ensuring your candles smell as delightful when burning as they do in the jar.

• Cold throw: How the candle smells when unlit. This depends on the fragrance load and the wax type.
• Hot throw: The fragrance released when the candle burns. This is influenced by the wick size, fragrance concentration, and the temperature at which you add the oil.

Tip: Add your fragrance oil when the wax has cooled slightly (around 60–65°C for soy wax) to preserve its potency and ensure an even scent distribution.

3. Patience makes perfect

Candle making isn’t a race—it’s a lesson in patience. Allow your candles to cure (set and develop their fragrance) for at least 1–2 weeks before burning. This gives the fragrance time to bind with the wax, ensuring a better scent throw.

Also, don’t forget to test your candles in different environments. A candle that burns perfectly in winter might behave differently in summer, so seasonal testing is key—especially if you plan to sell your creations.

4. Experiment with confidence

There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for the perfect candle. The joy of candle making lies in experimenting with different waxes, wicks, fragrances, and containers. Here are some beginner-friendly experiments to try:

• Mix and match fragrance oils to create custom scents.
• Test different wick sizes to find the right burn for your container.
• Play with wax blends (e.g., soy and coconut) to achieve a specific finish or texture.

Remember, every mistake is an opportunity to learn. Burn tests might reveal a wick too small or wax that isn’t burning evenly—but that’s all part of the process!

5. Invest in quality materials

Using high-quality ingredients from the start can save you headaches down the line. Opt for eco-friendly waxes like soy or beeswax, fragrance oils designed for candles, and wicks that are free of harmful chemicals like lead.

Bonus Tip: If you’re experimenting, start with small batches to avoid wasting materials. You can always scale up once you’ve nailed the formula!

Ready to light your way to candle-making success?

Candle making is a rewarding craft that blends creativity, science, and a touch of patience. Whether you’re making candles as gifts, for your home, or as the start of your own small business, the journey is half the fun.

If you’re looking for eco-friendly candles or just some inspiration, explore the Honey Willow collection. And don’t forget to share your creations with us—we’d love to see what you’ve made!