Hand poured candles are very different from the the mass-produced candles you find in the big box stores, so making them is well worth the effort.
There are important decisions to make if you decide to pour your own candles, beyond deciding what type of wax to use, what scent to use, and what colors to use. One of the most commonly overlooked aspects in candle making is the "temperature." Temperature is a key consideration to keep in mind when making hand poured candles: temperature of the wax itself, temperature of the molds into which you pour the wax, and air temperature in the room you're using.
The optimal value for the wax depends on the wax you use. For example, I use a mottling paraffin wax. If I want a full mottled effect on the candle, I need to pour at 180-190. If I want to have a rustic (not as smooth) effect on my candle, I would pour at a cooler temperature of between 160 and 170. There are a wide variety of waxes you can use, including Vegetable, Soy, and Beeswax, and a lot of different paraffins; each of these will have a recommendation from the manufacturer on what temperature is best for hand poured candles.
The temperature of the room is an important consideration, all the more so because it affects the temperature of the mold you use. If wax is poured into a freezing cold mold, the candle will take on a different effect than if the mold had been warmer. If you are looking for consistency in your hand poured candles, it is best to keep the temperature in your room consistent at all times. In my experience when using my mottling wax in the summer, my molds will be warmer and the wax may take longer to cool, giving my hand poured candles a smooth mottled look. When it's colder out and the mold is cooler, the wax will instantly cool, giving my hand poured candles a frosted look and texture. Hand pouring candles at different temperatures can actually aid in creativity. It is good to experiment and see how your candle wax reacts to different temperatures--it can give you some new ideas you can use in hand pouring your candles.
Another important aspect in making candles is the ratio of wax to scent. This is very important; adding too much scent to your wax will result in a candle that is "sweating scent," meaning the scented candle will feel greasy. I usually use 1 oz. of scent to 1 lb. of wax when getting my wax ready. Be careful to pour the scent in right before you plan to pour your candle; if you add your scent too early, the heat of the wax can burn off the scent.
If you are a beginner to candle-making, it's best to start small and experiment. That way, if you make a mistake you can always re-melt and try again. Keep in mind that you may develop some creative candle-making ideas through your mistakes, so have fun!
