This month’s project is an easy way for making simple taper candles by using polyurethane molds. These candles are a timeless favorite over the decades and the easy to use polyurethane molds allows the candle maker to make this candle on a small scale with out the need for equipment such as dipping rings that make many tapers at one time.

Ingredients

• High melt point wax (>140 mp) or beeswax
• Flat braid wick
• Polyurethane taper mold
• Mold release
• Picture wire
• Color and fragrance to suit
• Additives to suit
• Wick bar
• Base former (optional)

Instructions

Step 1

Prepare your wax with color and fragrance as you normally would for any other candle. Remember that it helps to add color and additives at a slightly elevated temperature for uniform dispersion. Let the wax cool in order to add your fragrance right before achieving the pouring temperature.

Step 2

Cut a piece of wire a little larger than twice the length of your mold and bend it completely in half. Insert the folded end of the wire through the hole in the mold, and use it to pull the wick through the taper mold. Leave an extra long length of wick so when you remove one candle it pulls enough wick through the hole so it is ready to be poured again without the use of the wire next time.

Step 3

Wrap the wick around the wick bar so it holds snug and give the inside of the mold a quick light spray of mold release. Pour the wax slowly into the mold. Keep an eye on the mold and top off as necessary.

Step 4

Use the base former to achieve a fluted end that looks very professional and aids you customer in the placement of their candle in a candle holder. Be sure the taper is burnt in a suitable candleholder.

Beeswax Candles

The other natural wax which is commonly used and has been for hundreds of year is beeswax. This product is used in all type of candles including tapers, pillar, votives and even containers. Beeswax is one of the best all around waxes on the market.

Bayberry Wax

The final wax is Bayberry and is derived from the bayberry bush and can be used at 100% or blended with beeswax. Bayberry wax offers you a very rich and unique smell. Bayberry tapers are traditionally burned during New Years. Bayberry is also used at many colonial, pioneer and other historical events.

Granulated Wax

The final type of wax which is used more for crafting and easy candle making is the granulated wax. This wax is a 140 Melt point paraffin that is formed into little beads. These beads can easily be poured into containers and a wick inserted for an instant candle. This activity is great if you own a candle shop, if you teach classes or when you do shows it is an activity the kids would want to do while the parents shop your candle selection.

No matter which wax you are currently using it always helps to know what options are available if you are adding another line or looking to change things up.