Seasoned crafters and beginners alike may at some point want to try out the art of candle making. But we all know how the costs of a new hobby can quickly add up for materials, tools, and other supplies.
If you want to try candle-making but don’t want to break the bank, you’ll need some tips to help you know what type of wax, candle holders, and other materials you should buy.
In this guide, we’ll teach you how to make candles cheaply with our best tips on budgeting your project. Keep reading to learn the best ways to tighten your purse strings and still get a good final result.
How to Save Money on Candle Jars/Holders
First, let’s look at some of the ways you can save money on the jars you’ll pour your homemade candles in. It’s all too easy to rack up costs by buying all of your supplies from a craft store.
In reality, though, there are plenty of other, cheaper ways to get containers to pour candles into.
First, check your cupboards at home to see if you can recycle any jars or old candle holders for free. Otherwise, you can try looking for glass candle holders or jars for sale at dollar stores. These will be cheap; just make sure that you get a glass made to withstand heat.
You can also try buying your candle holders and jars in bulk. If you buy Mason jars in bulk, for example, you can get a better deal than buying them individually.
How to Save Money on Candle Wax
When it comes to buying candle wax, you don’t want to skimp on quality. However, you can still cut costs by purchasing your waxes from the right source.
Buying from online retailers opens doors to special discounts, coupons, and opportunities to get free shipping.
In general, though, it’s good to note that soy wax and beeswax tend to be more expensive than paraffin waxes. So if you want to save by finding the cheapest wax, look for those labeled “paraffin”.
How to Save Money on Colors and Dyes
You can cut costs on candle-making dyes and colors by opting to naturally color your candles. This means using colors derived from natural ingredients like plants, spices, and minerals.
You’ll need to make sure that you use natural dyes only with natural waxes, such as beeswax or soy wax.
Common natural dyes used in candles include flowers, leaves, and plant roots (like turmeric or ginger). You can achieve natural color by slowly letting these plant products seep in your melted wax before you pour it to make the candle.
Try using natural pigments found in the following household items:
- Parsley, rosemary, green tea, sage, nettles (green)
- Cinnamon and cloves (brown)
- Turmeric powder, lemon peel, saffron (yellow)
- Carrots, paprika (orange)
This is a cheap and effective way to dye your candles since you can even use flowers from the garden, spices/tea leaves you already own, or produce scraps for free. An added perk of this method is that it’s more eco-friendly than using manufactured dyes.
How to Save Money on Candle Wicks
Just as you can save money on other craft supplies by buying in bulk (this is ideal for people who make candles regularly), you can also buy wicks in bulk for a better deal.
Otherwise, buying candle wicks is one of the more affordable aspects of candle making since you can get dozens of them for just a few dollars.
How to Save Money on Candle Making Storage
This tip should be a no-brainer. You shouldn’t have to spend extra money to buy storage supplies for your craft projects. Crafting storage units and containers can get expensive, running between $20 up to hundreds of dollars in some cases.
Instead of buying storage containers and organizers for your wax, wicks, and other materials, use storage supplies you already have at home. You can make use of plastic zip bags, Tupperware, cardboard boxes, and other storage for free at home.
How to Save Money on Candle Scents
Candle-makers often add scents to their candles through a few different methods. You can use store-bought scents made specifically for candle-making.
You can also use essential oils to add strong, concentrated scents meant to calm, or fragrance oils (perfumes). A decent pack of essential oils can cost up to $30 or $40, which is more than the cost of a candle itself.
This is why it may be beneficial to choose a natural method of scenting your candles. Just as you can use plant products to add natural pigments to candles, you can also use leaves, flowers, herbs, and zests to add natural aromas to candles.
For example, lavender is a very common natural scent added to candles. If you have crushed lavender blooms from your garden, you can use them to add a free aroma to your candles. Or, you might make use of natural scents such as those from ground cinnamon or ground sage.
How to Save Money on a Double Boiler
A double boiler is going to be essential when making homemade candles. Decent double boilers can get expensive, which is why any discount you can get on one is helpful.
Consider going to secondhand stores to look for a double boiler, or ask around to see if friends or family members have one they can hand down to you for free.
Otherwise, you can safely make a makeshift double boiler at home if you have a saucepan and a heat-resistant glass bowl. By doing so, you achieve a free double boiler to use for your candle-making projects, and you save yourself an extra $20-$40 in the process.
Final Thoughts
Like any craft, candle-making can quickly become too expensive to enjoy. You can save money on candle-making supplies by using natural plant materials for candle dyes and scents, or you can recycle materials such as jars to pour your candles in.
Follow our tips above to make candles cheaply.
