Making Candles

You need:
Paraffin wax (from craft suppliers)
A large saucepan
Candle wicking (from craft suppliers)
Waxalene dyes from craft suppliers (or coloured crayons will do to colour the wax)

Method:
1) Heat the wax and remove from heat when it is melted. (The safest way of heating wax is to place your wax container into a larger saucepan of hot water)
2) Tie a knot in a length or wick - a bit longer than the depth of wax in your saucepan. Dip the wick quickly in and out of the wax repeatedly. (You can dip into the saucepan sideways to get a longer candle. You may need to top up the level of wax during dipping)
3) As the candle gets thicker it is necessary to cool it between dips otherwise it will slip off the wick when it becomes heavier.
4) You can change the colour of the candle by dipping it into coloured wax. While the candle is still warm it can be pinched to vary its shape.
5) When you have finished trim the wick at the top to about 1 cm above the candle and trim the bottom with a knife while it is still warm.

Butler, Alex. Christmas of Children  Australia: The Dominion Press,1979. pg55