The basic requirements for a simple candle making setup are:
- An understanding of Candle Making Safety.
- A heat source like a hot plate or electric stove
- A "double boiler" set up - a large, low pot for boiling water, with an old coffee can set inside it to melt the wax, will do just fine
- Some wax
- A wick appropriate for that wax
- A mold or container to hold the melted wax
- Fragrance or color for the candle, if desired
- A match to light it when it's done
That's essentially all it takes. Of course, from there you can choose from various types of candles. and you'll need to choose the appropriate wax and wick for your project. Personalize your candle even further by choosing a fragrance or essential oil to scent your candle.
As you can see, the variations of candles you can make are only limited by your imagination and your willingness to experiment.
To get you started, here are some great basic projects:
- Basic Container Candles
- Votives with Wick Pins
- Dixie Cup Votive Candles
- Basic Pillar Candles
- Beeswax Rolled Pillar


