Brooke Martin
Candles have been a staple of elegant tables for years, but a new trend has emerged on TikTok that puts a twist on the traditional candle design. People are twisting candles to create unique and stylish spiral designs. This trend is about turning regular taper candles into twisty, bendy works of art. The process involves soaking candles in hot water to make them malleable, flattening them with a rolling pin, and then twisting them into shape. The final step is to submerge the candles in cold water to set the shape. These twisted candles make for great home or party decor and can also be given as heartfelt gifts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature of water | 50-60°C or 120-140°F |
| Time to submerge the candle in water | 5 minutes or until the wax becomes flexible |
| Method | Twist from the bottom of the candle |
| Other methods | Bend, curve into loops, intertwine two or more candles, wrap around a wooden spoon or pen |
| Other materials | Rolling pin, wax paper, cold water |
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What You'll Learn
Warm the wax
Warming the wax is the first step in twisting candles. The wax needs to be warmed up to make it malleable and flexible. This can be done by submerging the candle in warm water for five to fifteen minutes. The ideal temperature of the water is said to be between 50-60°C (120-140°F) or as hot as your hands can stand to be submerged in. If the wax is too hot, it will melt on the outside before the inside is soft enough to twist.
Once the candle is warm enough, you have about thirty seconds to bend and mould it before the wax becomes too cool and inflexible. Therefore, it is best to plan the desired shape before warming the wax. To create a twist, the candle should be flattened in the middle using a rolling pin. It is important to rotate the candle and roll it on both sides to create an even surface.
The candle should be kept in the water while working on it. Take it out, pat it dry, and place it on waxed paper. With one hand steadying the top of the candle, use the other hand to gently twist it. You can create as many twists as you like, as long as the wax is still warm.
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Flatten the candle
To twist a candle, you first need to flatten it. To do this, submerge the candle in warm water at a temperature of 50-60°C (120-140°F) for around five minutes. The candle should be left in the water until the wax becomes flexible and easy to bend and mould.
Once the candle is soft and pliable, remove it from the water and place it on waxed paper. Use a rolling pin to gently flatten the middle of the candle. Be sure to rotate the candle and roll it on both sides to create an even, flat surface. Leave a space of approximately two inches at the bottom of the candle so that it can still fit into a candle holder.
If you want your candle to be able to stand on its own, press it onto a flat surface while the wax is still warm. This will flatten the bottom of the candle so that it sits straight.
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Twist the candle
To twist a candle, you will need a candle, a container, and some warm water. The water should be warm, not boiling, at a temperature of 50–60°C (120–140°F) or as hot as your hands can withstand. You can test the temperature by dipping the candle in the water; if there is wax floating on the surface, the water is too hot.
Submerge the candle in the water for 5–15 minutes, or until the wax becomes flexible. Remove the candle from the water and use a rolling pin to gently flatten the middle. With one hand steadying the top of the candle, use the other hand to gently twist the bottom. You can create as many twists as you like, as long as the wax is still warm and malleable. Work quickly, as the candle will start to harden again. If it does harden before you are finished, place it back in the water for a few minutes.
To set the shape, place the twisted candle in cold water for 10–20 seconds until the wax is no longer flexible. To intertwine two or more candles, hold them together and twist your hands in opposite directions. For a snake coil shape, wrap the candle around a wooden spoon or pen. To ensure the candle can stand on its own, press it onto a flat surface while it is still warm.
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Set the shape in cold water
After you've twisted your candle, you'll need to set the shape in cold water. This is a crucial step in ensuring your candle holds its new shape.
First, fill a bowl or dish with cold water. The water temperature should be around 50–60°C (120–140°F). You can test the temperature by touching the water; it should be as hot as your hands can manage to be submerged in the water.
Next, submerge the twisted candle in the cold water. Make sure the candle is completely covered by the water. Leave the candle in the water for 10 to 20 seconds, or until the wax is no longer flexible.
Taking the candle out of the water, you should find that your twisted shape is now set. If you're not happy with the shape, you can always repeat the process of warming and twisting the candle until you achieve your desired result.
It's important to note that the candle wax will start to harden as soon as it's out of the warm water, so you'll need to work quickly. If the wax hardens before you're finished twisting, simply place it back in the warm water for a few minutes to soften it again.
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Display your creation
Now that you've crafted your twisted candles, it's time to display your creations! Here are some ideas for showcasing your unique and stylish designs:
- Centrepiece: Create a stunning centrepiece for your dining table or a holiday gathering by grouping several twisted candles together on a tray. The playful silhouettes and cheerful colours of the candles will add a contemporary and elegant touch to your tablescape.
- Stand-alone Decor: Your twisted candles can be beautiful stand-alone decorative pieces in your home. Place them on a shelf, mantel, or entryway table to add a touch of sculptural interest to any room.
- Gift Idea: Twisted candles make heartfelt gifts for friends and family. Attach a candle to a card and leave it on their doorstep for a thoughtful surprise. They can be especially charming as Christmas or birthday gifts.
- Social Media Showcase: Share your creations with the world by posting photos or videos on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or your favourite blogging site. Showcase your unique designs and inspire others to try their hand at this trendy craft.
- Holiday Cheer: During the holiday season, use your twisted candles as part of your festive decor. They can add a warm and whimsical touch to your Christmas or New Year's celebrations.
- Colourful Display: If you've created candles in a variety of colours, display them together to create a vibrant and eye-catching arrangement. Play with different colour combinations and arrangements to find the most aesthetically pleasing display for your space.
Remember to handle your twisted candles with care and store them properly when not in use. Wrap them gently in bubble wrap and keep them in a sturdy container to avoid denting the wax, ensuring they stay in perfect condition for their debut.
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Frequently asked questions
To twist candles, you need to first warm the wax to make it malleable. This can be done by submerging the candle in warm water (50-60°C or 120-140°F) for around five minutes. Once the wax is flexible, remove the candle from the water and flatten it with a rolling pin. Then, with one hand steadying the top of the candle, use the other hand to gently twist the bottom.
Paraffin and beeswax candles are the easiest to twist and bend. However, beeswax candles take longer to soften than paraffin candles. It is also important to use candles that are one solid colour, as some are just white candles dipped in coloured wax.
To store twisted candles, wrap them gently in bubble wrap and keep them in a sturdy container to avoid denting the wax.
