Scented candles are incredibly popular at the moment, but can also be very expensive for long-lasted, heavily scented soy versions.  I love ones by True Grace, Diptyque, Tom Dixon, Kenneth Turner and the Cowshed -but they come at a hefty price tag, especially as I burn them constantly.

So I decided to make my own for a change, and have discovered it is REALLY SIMPLE and they smell AMAZING!!!

I wanted to make a variety of candles in both rich floral and then more musky scents, and they have come out very well.  They also work out so much cheaper than buying ready made scented candles. 1kg of wax costs approximately £7, and from that I made 5 candles, and reused old candle pots and a cup and saucer set.  I had a few bottles of essential oils lying around already, and you can get 5 bottle of candle fragrance oil for £5 roughly online.  Wicks are about £1 for 10.  have worked it out to be around £2.60 per candle, a lot better than the £28 upwards costs of my usual candle purchases!

Here is what you will need:

1. 1kg soy wax flakes.  I used Kerawax 4015 as it has a good scent throw and adheres well to glass containers.
2. Essential Oils or specific Fragrance Oil for candle making.  I like to mix my scents up as I am making the candles, so have a variety of both.
3. Candle wicks with metal bases
4. Glue Dots
5. Wooden sticks
6. Metal container
7. Large Saucepan
8. Glass Containers (but china also works well).

Instructions:

1. Start off by measuring out the wax you will need for your final candle container.  A really easy way to do this is to fill the intended container with the wax pellets, and then do it once more again so you have double the quantity.  As the wax melts it reduces in volume, hence the need for double quantities.
2. Place the pellets into the metal container, and insert this into the larger pan filled half way with water.  This makes a bain marie. Bring this to the boil to let the pellets start to dissolve.
3. While the wax is melting, prepare your candle pot.  Stick a glue dot to the base of the wick, and glue into place in the centre of the pot.  Push in firmly so it stays in place.
4. Then take a wooden stick and start to roll the wick around it at the top, as it rolls down, the wood will naturally come to rest on the brim of the candle pot, and will keep the wick in place when you pour in the wax later.
5. By now your wax should have melted.  It need to be at 185 degrees.   Remove from the heat, and let it cool to 180 degrees.
6. Now start to add your scent.  I start with 50 drops in the mix for an average sized candle, and then keep adding until I think it smells right.  Usually this adds up to about 100 drops in total.  Stir very well to make sure the oil is incorporated well.  Some stronger smells like pine, menthol and sage do not need so many drops as they are very strong.  The best thing is to smell it a lot and use the power of your nose!  I like to my candles pretty strong, as then they they scent the room even when not lit, so I use this 100 drop quantity on average with oils such as rose, bergamont, sandalwood, cedar and tobacco.
7. When you are happy with the scent, and strength of it, carefully pour the wax into the container.
8. Leave to set for at least 24 hours.

Results:

I made 3 different types of scented candles: a very dark smoky one with notes of tobacco, sandalwood, leather, amber and arabian musk.  Then another made with a black tea base, bergamont and frankincense.  Finally one was made with rose musk and bergamont. Delicious, incredibly chap and a now I have no guilt at all burning them all day long.  They would also make great gifts.

Soy scented Candles