Make sure you have read both out saftey instructions safety instructions and basic candle making instructions before you do any of these projects.

Not for beginners! You will need proper moulds for the core candle and a few dipping tins, depending on how
many colours you are going to use. These candles really come into their own at weddings, and shown below
is a unity set just in white - a good idea as you only need one, or at a maximum two tanks. You will also need\
chalky white dye for the definition We have demonstrated an multi- coloured one here, but a white one can
be alternated between chalky white was and plain white wax.
It does look difficult, but having practiced you will find it much easier, and you will be able to work quickly enough to get perfect results!

You will need:- A star candle mould, 5 dipping cans or tall containers each filled to a depth of about 20cm, about 5 kg dip
and carve wax. The cans should be filled with 1. clear wax, 2 chalk white wax, 3 purple wax, 4 bright yellow wax and 5 red wax. You will also need a bucket of cold water and you should have poured a tapered star shaped candle with no stearin
added and at least 7cms of wick left at its top before you begin! It is difficult for the amateur to make these candles as you will need a heat source under a vat of hot water in which place all the dipping cans so they keep melted. You can improvise with very large catering saucepans.

Holding the candle by its wick soak the candle in the can of clear wax for about 3 minutes to soften the core. Then dip the candle into the can of chalky white wax and lift out three times. Then dip the candle into the cold water. Then follow the same routine with red wax, then blue wax. Finally dip it once into the chalky white wax - you are now ready to start carving!

On one point of the star make a cut about 5mm deep about 2.5cm from the base of the candle. Make another cut immediately above it only about 3mm thick. Roll the bottom cut up and then gently pinch the upper cut at its tip and stretch
it over the roll below. You now have the first flap at the base of the candle. Now make two more cuts about 3mm thick and roll the above as shown below. You should now have three rolled flaps at the bottom point of the star.
Repeat on the remaining points.

With two points of the star facing you   cut out a flap about 3mm deep and 6.3cm long. Gently pinch and pull the tip of the flap and give it a half twist. Repeat on the next point.

Holding the candle so that the two points are facing you , cut two flaps directly the flaps you have just made. You should now have four twisted flaps. Take the two upper flaps you have just cut and gently pull them towards each other, pressing them down between the two points of the star facing you. Now take the two lower flaps and bend them in the opposite direction to the two already done. Repeat around the candle on the remaining points of the star.

Repeat what you have just done   with the middle flaps BUT make these flaps only about 3.2 cm long. Twist them in
opposite directions as before, and press down their tips just above the two flaps below. You will notice that one set of flaps from the cut is higher than the other. Bend your lower 3.2cm flaps onto the lower pair of flaps below. Bend the upper 3.2cm flaps onto the higher flaps above. You should now have four flaps pressed together in a star shape in the gap between the two points facing you. Repeat on the remaining points of the candle.

Hold the candle  in one hand so that two points are facing you. Using a modeling tool cut a small strip of wax at the top of the candle between the two points. Gently bend the strip of wax over the star shaped center of the four flaps immediately below. Repeat on the remaining points. The picture below is a detail of what the top of the candle should now look like!

You have now finished the candle!!!  You can varnish the candle with candle varnish once it is finished.

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Tel 0207 736 0740.  

Candles on the Web Ltd is a subsidiary of the Candle Shop (London) Ltd, formerly situated in the basement
of the piazza in London's Covent Garden.

We regret that we cannot answer candle making queries on the phone.
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