You can find all the supplies you'll need - wax, dye, wicks - at large craft stores. Dye can be purchased in liquid or block form; we like Yaley Candle Dye Blocks, which come in 3/4-ounce cubes you can easily chop with a small knife. Pick up a stainless steel pouring container as well (about $8). Its heat-resistant handle and its spout make it the safest means to melt wax on a stove top. Bonus: Wax doesn't adhere to stainless steel, so there's no need to wash the container.
Keeping Clean
You can wipe up soy wax with soap and water, but paraffin is tougher to remove (you'll have to scrape it off or melt it with a hair dryer). Save yourself the trouble by covering work surfaces with craft paper or aluminum foil, and set aside a pot, cutting board, and utensils specifically for candle making. Pour any leftover melted wax into a carton, let it cool, and save it for another project (just tear away the cardboard). Never pour wax down a sink.
Melting Wax
Soy flakes can be melted on the stove top or in a microwave but are suitable only for container candles, such as the Hot Cocoa Candle. Paraffin can be used for any project but must be melted on the stove. Chop the paraffin first (adults should use a large knife on a cutting board) so that it melts faster.
To melt soy flakes or paraffin on a stove top (always with adult supervision), fill a pot with about 3 inches of water and bring it to a boil. Put the wax in a pouring container, then place the container in the water and position both pots so that the container handle is not over the heat. When the wax is completely melted, remove it from the stove, add the dye, and stir.
Crafts
