Making your own candles: the essential kit and supplies
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Making your own candles: every supply explained
Making your own candles is simpler than it looks: you just need the right supplies. At Flowrette we've brought together every DIY candle supply individually, so you can choose exactly what you need and nothing more.
The basic kit for making your own candles
Candle wax. Plant-based soya wax is ideal for beginners: it melts at a low temperature, releases cleanly and burns cleanly. It's also the most environmentally friendly option, which makes sense when you want to make things that last and waste nothing.
The wick. A cotton wick with its fixing sustainer guarantees an even, well-centred burn. Choose the diameter according to the width of the vessel: too fine and the candle tunnels; too thick and it smokes.
The fragrance. This is the signature step. Candle fragrance is added to the melted wax, generally at around 8 to 10% of the weight of the wax, at the right temperature so the scent holds well.
The vessel. A reusable ceramic vessel or glass jar holds your candle and stays useful long after it has burned down. Ceramic fits neatly into a zero-waste approach.
The accessories that make a difference
You can start with very little, but a few accessories make life easier: a thermometer to pour the wax at the right temperature, a pipette to measure the fragrance precisely, and a wick holder (or a simple clothes peg) to keep it upright while it sets.
Individual supplies or a kit?
A DIY candle kit is perfect for a first attempt or as a gift: everything is together and ready to use. But once you get a taste for candle-making, buying supplies individually becomes far smarter: you only replace what has run out, you try new fragrances, and you vary the vessels. Cheaper, freer, and less waste.
How to make your candle, step by step
1. Fix the wick to the bottom of the vessel with its sustainer, nicely centred.
2. Melt the wax in a bain-marie or the microwave, keeping an eye on the temperature.
3. Add the fragrance (and colouring if you like), and stir gently.
4. Pour the wax, keeping the wick upright.
5. Leave to rest for several hours, then trim the wick to about 1cm.
The detailed step-by-step is in our tutorial: how to make a candle yourself.
Why make your own candles
Making your own candles is a creative, calming thing to do, but it's also a more sustainable one: plant-based wax, a reusable vessel, and no excess packaging. The result looks like you, can be personalised endlessly, and makes a gift with real meaning. It's the same spirit as our dried flowers: beautiful things, made to last.