Candlemaking is the art and craft of creating candles by combining wax, a wick, and often scents or dyes.

Early in human history, people discovered that animal fat rendered into tallow could be molded around a simple fiber wick, becoming one of humanity's first controllable light sources, rivaling torches and oil lamps.

Around 200 BC, in China, beeswax and oils infused with aromatic resins were poured into paper tubes, a precursor to modern pillar candles. In Egypt and Rome, beeswax was prized for its clean, drip-free burn. Wealthy Romans used it in religious rites and banquets. In the Middle East, oil-soaked rushes in Judah gave rise to rudimentary wicks that would later evolve in Mediterranean workshops.

In medieval Europe, the Church became the largest candle consumer; choir stalls, altars, and processions all used candles. Beeswax, pure but expensive, burned bright without the unpleasant odor of tallow.

The 1850s discovery of paraffin wax, made from petroleum, revolutionized candlemaking. Paraffin burned brighter, cleaner, and cheaper than tallow. Factories produced uniform taper candles, which were used in homes and even in streetlights, many of which transitioned from gas.

The prevalence of electricity dimmed the practical role of candles in the 20th century. At the same time, the decorative and ceremonial use of candles was enhanced. Scented candles, color dyes, and novelty shapes turned wax into a multi-billion-dollar industry.

While factories still churn out candles, candlemaking has also become an artisanal business or cottage industry.

The basic process of making a candle is relatively easy. While more complex methods are available, all you need is a pot, a hot plate or stovetop, and the necessary materials, which consist of wax, a wick, a container, skewers, or popsicle sticks, and, optionally, fragrances or colors.

Before you pour the wax, place your wick into an appropriate vessel, which can be an empty container from a previously used candle.

Heat the wax by setting the pot over a heat source, such as a hot place or stovetop. Add the wax and allow it to melt. If desired, add color and fragrance to the melted wax in the pot.

Carefully pour the hot melted wax into the container. Use a skewer or a popsicle stick to help keep the wick in place. Allow the wax to cool completely, then trim the wick to size.

That's it. Of course, you can get fancier. Contemporary candlemaking combines art with functionality.

Sculptural innovations include carved and layered pillars. Artisans pour multiple thin layers of colored wax, then carve or sand back to reveal internal strata, akin to sedimentary rock in candle form. Some use lathe-style turntables to achieve perfect symmetry, while others embrace organic asymmetry, letting gravity sculpt the drips and rifts.

Custom silicone or 3D-printed molds let makers cast hyperrealistic fruits, crystals, or bodyform candles that appear to have been carved from marble. The translucence of certain wax blends, such as a paraffin-beeswax mix, gives these casts an alabaster glow.

Eco-concerns are also an issue, and this might involve the use of plant-derived blends. Beyond soy, artisans might use coconut-soy blends, rice bran wax, and even algae-derived waxes, striving for a balance between a clean burn, scent throw, and sustainability. Each has a unique melting point that affects how fragrance escapes and how a candle frosts.

Rather than discarding stubby candles, candlemakers might collect and remelt them into vibrant mosaics or layered jars.

Tiny air bubbles trapped in wax can mar a perfect surface, so some studios use vacuum chambers to degas melted wax before pouring. The result is a glass-smooth finish ideal for high-end decorative candles.

However, many people appreciate and prefer a more obvious home-made look even when they are not being made in their own home. A backlash against mass production fueled a global candlemaking movement, which is supported by several organizations conducting candlemaking workshops. The Internet, including platforms like Etsy, has also allowed home-based businesses to find a market beyond county fairs and local stores.

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