Decorative taper candles are elegant and give off an illuminating glow that softens any atmosphere. Many people use taper candles for events such as dinner parties, the holidays and other special events where the mood has to be relaxed and enjoyable. Taper candles can burn for a long time, which makes them very popular. They also resist the temptation to drip, which makes their appearance a joy to behold. If you follow a few taper candle making instructions, you will be making decorative home accents in no time.

Candle Making Supplies and Materials:

• Dipping can (must be deep, tall and skinny). You can find these types of cans at most craft supply stores. They are specially designed for taper candles.
• Candle making thermometer. This thermometer must be able to measure between 140 to 160 degrees. Find one with a clip so you can attach it to the dipping can that you need.
• Large pot
• Trivet (a small three-legged metal tray)
• Low table
• Paraffin wax (other types of wax are too soft and cause your taper candle to bend easily when it gets hot).
• Spool of wick, sized for taper candles. This type of wick is lighter than those used for pillar candles and does not burn as quickly.
• Dowel rods (or other type of long stick)
• Deep and narrow cardboard box
• Color chips (optional)
• Fragrance oil (optional)
• Scissors

Break the paraffin wax into small chunks. This will help the wax melt quickly.

Set a large pot on the stove and fill it halfway with water. Set a trivet inside the pot of water to keep the dipping can from coming in contact with the floor of the pot. Set the dipping can on top of the trivet. As you heat the water, it will slowly raise the temperature in the dipping can. It is very dangerous to let the dipping can touch the burner. Heating the wax directly from the heat of a burner could cause a flash fire and also create toxic fumes. Let the dipping can get hot while you perform the next two steps.

Trim the wick to the length that you want your candles to be, plus an additional five inches in length longer. Tie each wick to the center of a dowel rod. You will need to use one dowel rod for each wick.

Use a deep cardboard box as a drying rack for your candles. The box should be deep and narrow so that you can lay the dowel rod across it, not letting the candle touch the bottom of the box.

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