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How to Make a Dough Bowl Candle: A Step-by-Step Guide with 2 Bees in a Pod

Creating a dough bowl candle is not only a fantastic way to bring warmth and ambience into your home, but it also provides a unique and personalised touch to your décor. At 2 Bees in a Pod, we embrace the charm and rustic beauty of handmade items, and dough bowl candles are the perfect project to showcase this ethos. In this article, we will guide you through the process of making your very own dough bowl candle, ensuring it is as enjoyable as it is rewarding.

What You’ll Need

• Dough Bowl: This can be vintage or new, as long as it’s heat-resistant.
• Candle Wax: Options include soy wax, beeswax, or paraffin wax.
• Wicks: Choose the appropriate size depending on the bowl’s width.
• Wick Holder: A simple metal clip or a chopstick works well to keep the wick centred.
• Essential Oils or Fragrance Oils: For adding delightful scents to your candle.
• Double Boiler: For melting the wax safely.
• Thermometer: To monitor the wax temperature.
• Pouring Pitcher: For easy and controlled pouring of the melted wax.
• Stirring Utensil: A wooden stick or spoon to mix in your scents.
• Scale: To measure the wax accurately.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Before you begin, set up a clean and well-ventilated workspace. Lay down newspapers or a protective covering to catch any spills.

Step 2: Measure Your Wax

Using a scale, measure the quantity of wax you’ll need. As a guideline, a pound of wax will generally fill around 12 fluid ounces in a container, depending on its shape. It’s wise to weigh your bowl empty and filled with water to ascertain the required amount.

Step 3: Melt the Wax

Set up your double boiler by filling the bottom pot with water and placing it on the stove. Place the wax in the top pot and heat it gently. Keep a close eye on the temperature; most waxes should be brought to around 75-80 degrees Celsius for optimal pouring.

Step 4: Prepare the Dough Bowl

While your wax melts, prepare your dough bowl. Clean it thoroughly, ensuring there’s no dust or debris. Attach the wick to the base of the dough bowl using a wick sticker or a dab of melted wax. Ensure it is centred.

Step 5: Add Fragrance

Once the wax has melted completely, remove it from the heat. Allow the temperature to drop to about 65 degrees Celsius, then add in your chosen fragrance oils. Generally, a fragrance load of 6-10% is recommended for optimal scent throw—this equates to 30-50 ml of oil per 500 grams of wax. Stir well for a few minutes to ensure the scent is evenly distributed.

Step 6: Pour the Wax

Now comes the exciting part! Carefully pour the melted wax into your prepared dough bowl, ensuring not to disturb the wick. Leave a small amount of wax in your pitcher for topping off later, as a small sinkhole may form as the wax cools.

Step 7: Secure the Wick

To keep the wick centred while the wax cools, place a wick holder across the top of the bowl. This will prevent the wick from shifting and create an even burn.

Step 8: Let it Cool

Allow the candle to cool completely, which may take several hours. If a sinkhole appears in the centre, reheat the leftover wax and top it off to create a smooth surface.

Step 9: Trim the Wick

Once the candle has fully hardened, trim the wick to about 0.5 cm above the wax. This ensures a good burn and prevents excessive soot.

Step 10: Enjoy Your Creation

Your dough bowl candle is now ready to be lit! Enjoy the gentle glow and the lovely fragrance that fills your space. Not only does it enhance your home, but it also makes a thoughtful gift for friends and family.

Conclusion

Making a dough bowl candle is a delightful and creative process that reflects your personal style. With just a few simple materials and steps, you can create a beautiful candle that adds character to your living space. At 2 Bees in a Pod, we cherish the joy of crafting by hand, and we hope this guide inspires you to embark on your own candle-making adventure. Happy crafting!