Depending on the styles you prefer chunk candles most assuredly add a alternative to your standard pillar candles of yesteryear.  Colorful chunk candles add a vibrancy and a modern 21st century life to them.  In appearance  chunk candles, look like they are very difficult to make.  However, on the contrary this is just not true.  In fact, many candle makers claim they are the easiest candle to make especially when compared to the basic pillar candles.  The reasons for that is because pillar candles have to be perfectly smooth, if  they are not, it is easy to see the visual defects in them.  Such blemishes do not show up in chunk candles. While chunk candles are not recommended for beginners to candle making, they can be easily made once you know the basics of how to make candles.

There are two phases of the chunk candles making process, to make things easier, it is recommended that you keep the two phases separate.  Attempts to take shortcuts often result in chunk candles that are of poor quality and just don’t burn well.  The first phase of the chunk candle making process is to make the chunks.  The second is the process of turning those chunks into beautiful candles.  Some people choose to purchase pre-cut chunks at craft stores or online, but you get a more personal and unique result from doing it from scratch, others prefer to make candles using glass containers found at flea markets.

In order for chunk candles to be their prettiest, select colors that compliment each other, reference color pallets online for hints. To start making the color chunks, spray a cookie sheet that you are using for your candle making projects, with a non-stick cooking spray.  You only want a thin film of non stick spray on the cooking sheet.  After melting your wax in a double boiler, add a color to it as well as any fragrances you prefert.  Pour the mixture onto your cookies sheet, and fill the sheet to the level you want the depth of your candle chunks to be.

You will want to monitor  the cooling color chunks, once they are the consistency of cookie dough you will want to use a sharp utility knife to cut them into chunks.  Allow the chunks to thouroughly cool before proceeding.  In the how to make candles process, If you are making several colors of chunks you can mix them together or leave them separate. People will often time choose to let the colors mix together on their own while others like to create a design by adding the amount of each color they want, use your imagination snd do a bit of experimentation.

Using the same molds that you use for pillar candles, insert your candle wick through the bottom of the candle mold. Fill the mold loosely with color chunks, you may put one color on the bottom with another color on top or even layers of three colors, you may also choose to only use one color.   Try not to stack too many chunks as you can in the mold or the candle will not form properly.  Rather just toss them in and let them fall where they may.

It is now time to pour the melted wax over the color chunks.  It is highly recommended that you do leave the melted wax colorless, but some people choose to add a light color to tint it and add a uniqueness to their chunk candles.  As the candle cools, the chunks will adhere to together with the hot wax. Once the molds cool the chunk candles should slide out of the molds effortlessly.

Making chunk candles is really quite simple if you are comfortable with the basic candle making concepts.  These candles add flare to any decor as well as make great gifts.  They are a bit more time consuming to make since you will be making your color chunks, but well worth the results. Remember that you can purchase color chunks to save yourself time. That is a great option for someone who plans to make large quantities of chunk candles.

For those of you who want to get even more creative, consider using embeds in the sides.  You can place them in the candle molds first, they will stay in place once you put the chunks in the mold.  You can adjust the embeds as needed prior to adding the hot wax into the mold.  There are many excellent books available on various patterns and embeds that you can add to make specific chunk candles.  There are also great pictures and step by step instructions available on the internet, with a little searching on How to Make candles.

Good Luck in your Chunk Candle Making process, and please leave your feedback and let us know how your attempt at making chunk candles went, we would really like to hear from our readers.  share your tips, and suggestions.