How long does it take to make a candle from start to finish?Updated 12 days ago

The full process takes a minimum of 3 to 4 days from start to finish, but most of that is waiting time rather than active making. The hands-on time across all steps adds up to around 2 to 3 hours total.

Here is a rough breakdown of what to expect:

Sculpting the vessel
Up to 1 hour, depending on your design.

Drying the clay
Leave your vessel to dry at room temperature in a well-ventilated area until it is completely bone-dry before moving on to painting. This usually takes 24 to 48 hours, but may take longer depending on the thickness of your piece.

Painting (optional)
About 1 hour per coat. We recommend 2 coats, with at least 1 hour drying time between each coat.

Applying the candle varnish
About 1 hour per coat. Apply 2 coats, leaving at least 1 hour between coats. After the final coat, leave it to dry overnight before moving on to the wax.

Melting the wax
5 to 10 minutes in the microwave, following the instructions in your guide. If you prefer, a double boiler on the stovetop works just as well and usually takes 15 to 20 minutes.

Adding fragrance and pouring
Just a few minutes. Add your fragrance oil to the melted wax, prep your wick and centering tool, then pour the wax into your vessel.

Setting the candle
Leave the wax to set for a few hours to overnight before using your candle.