If you’ve ever wanted to create elegant, handcrafted candles for your home, learning how to make candle sticks is a great place to start. Stick candles, also known as taper candles, add a timeless charm to any space and are perfect for dinner settings, home décor, or handmade gifts.
This guide will walk you through how to make stick candles at home using high-quality Nature’s Garden candle waxes, wicks, and fragrance oils. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crafter, this simple process will help you create beautiful, slow-burning candle sticks from scratch.
Why Make Your Own Candle Sticks?
Handmade stick candles offer several benefits:
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Customization – Choose your wax type, fragrance, and color
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Better ingredients – Use high-quality waxes and phthalate-free fragrance oils from Nature’s Garden
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Cost-effective – Making your own candles is often more affordable than buying premium ones
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Perfect for any occasion – Ideal for weddings, holidays, and home décor
By following this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to make a candle stick with professional-quality results.
Supplies You’ll Need
To make high-quality stick candles at home, gather these essential materials from Nature’s Garden:
Wax options
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Soy wax – A natural, clean-burning wax with excellent scent throw
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Pillar of Bliss wax – Perfect for sturdy, long-burning taper candles
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Blended waxes – Combine properties of different waxes for optimal performance
Wicks
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Cotton core wicks – Provides a stable burn for taper candles
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Wooden wicks – Adds a unique crackling effect (best for larger stick candles)
Fragrance and color
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Nature’s Garden fragrance oils – Choose from a variety of scents, from seasonal to fruity
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Candle dye blocks or liquid candle dye – Customize the color of your candle sticks
Other supplies
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Taper candle molds – Creates uniform candle stick shapes
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Double boiler or wax melting pitcher – Essential for melting wax safely
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Thermometer – Ensures proper pouring temperature
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Wick holders or clips – Keeps the wick centered while the wax sets
How to Make Stick Candles: Step-by-Step Guide
1. Prepare your candle molds
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Clean and dry your taper candle molds to remove any dust or residue
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Insert the Nature’s Garden cotton wick, securing it at the bottom with a wick holder or clip
2. Melt the wax
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Using a double boiler, melt your Nature’s Garden candle wax over medium heat
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Heat the wax to the recommended melting point:
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Soy wax: 120-140°F
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Pillar of Bliss wax: 180-190°F
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Blended waxes: 160-180°F
3. Add fragrance and color
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Remove the wax from heat and let it cool slightly to 170-180°F for fragrance addition
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Stir in Nature’s Garden fragrance oil (1 oz per pound of wax for a strong scent)*
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Add a few drops of candle dye if you want colored stick candles
*Refer to the IFRA for proper fragrance oil usage.
4. Pour the wax
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Carefully pour the wax into the taper candle molds, filling them to the top
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Hold the wick in place using a wick holder or skewer to keep it centered
5. Let the candles set
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Allow the wax to cool and harden completely (6-8 hours for best results)
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Once set, gently remove the candle sticks from the molds
6. Trim and cure your candles
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Trim the wick to ¼ inch to ensure a clean burn
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Let the candles cure for 24-48 hours to enhance the fragrance throw and burning performance
Tips for Perfecting Your Homemade Candle Sticks
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Choose the right wick size – A wick that is too thin will cause uneven burning, while a wick that is too thick may create excess smoke
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Use a mold release spray – Helps smoothly remove the candle from the mold
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Experiment with colors and scents – Try layering wax colors for a gradient effect or blending two complementary fragrances
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Store candles properly – Keep in a cool, dry place to maintain quality
Scent Pairing Ideas for Stick Candles
Looking to create unique candle scents? Try these Nature’s Garden fragrance oil combinations:
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Romantic and floral: lavender chamomile + white tea
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Warm and cozy: vanilla bean + cinnamon sticks
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Fresh and clean: eucalyptus + fresh linen
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Festive and seasonal: pumpkin chai + apple pie
Mixing different phthalate-free fragrance oils allows you to create custom signature scents for your candles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prevent my candle sticks from warping?
Make sure the wax cools slowly and evenly in a room-temperature setting. Avoid moving the molds before the candles have fully set.
Can I make stick candles without a mold?
Yes! You can hand-dip candles by repeatedly dipping a wick into melted wax, allowing it to cool between dips.
How long should I cure my candles before burning them?
Let your stick candles cure for 24-48 hours for the best scent throw and burn quality.
Start Making Your Own Candle Sticks Today
Learning how to make stick candles at home is a fun and creative process that allows you to craft beautiful, long-lasting taper candles for any occasion. Whether you’re making them for décor, gifts, or special events, using Nature’s Garden waxes, wicks, and fragrance oils ensures a high-quality candle-making experience.
Browse our selection of candle-making supplies and start crafting your own handmade candle sticks today!