Brooke Martin
Social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Instagram Reels have been inundated with bendy candles. This trend involves transforming plain taper candles into twisty, bendy works of art. The process is simple and requires only a few materials, such as taper candles, a water pitcher or baking dish, and hot tap water. The candle is then submerged in hot water to soften the wax, making it easier to twist and bend into various shapes. The final step is to submerge the candle in cold water to set its new shape.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of candle | Taper candles, preferably made of paraffin wax |
| Length of candle | Longer than 8 or 10 inches |
| Water temperature | Medium warm-hot, between 50-60°C or 120-140°F |
| Water container | Sink, water pitcher, or baking dish |
| Time in water | 20 minutes |
| Shaping technique | Bending, twisting, coiling, intertwining |
| Shaping tools | Hands, wooden spoon, pen, rolling pin |
| Setting the shape | Submerge in cold water for 10-30 seconds |
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What You'll Learn
Warm the wax
Warming the wax of taper candles is the first step in bending them into fun and elegant shapes. The process is simple and requires only a few household items. First, prepare a container of warm water. The water should be hot but not boiling, with a temperature between 50-60°C (120-140°F). Place the taper candles into the water, ensuring they are fully submerged. The number of candles you can place in the water bath depends on the size of your container.
The candles need to soak in the hot water bath for about 20 minutes. During this time, the heat will soften the wax, making it pliable and easy to manipulate. It is important to ensure that the wax is soft enough before attempting to bend the candles. If the wax is not soft enough, it can cause the candles to break. To test this, gently touch the candles. If they still feel resistant, leave them in the water for a few more minutes.
While working with the candles, keep them underwater as much as possible to maintain the warmth of the wax. This will make it easier to bend and twist them into your desired shape. It is important to work quickly, as you only have about 30 seconds after removing the candles from the water to shape them before the wax starts to cool and harden.
If you want to intertwine two or more candles, hold them together and twist them in opposite directions. For a snake coil shape, wrap the candle around a wooden spoon or a pen. Thin tapers are easier to manipulate but can be more prone to cracking, so be careful not to rush the process. If your candle cracks, simply return it to the hot water bath to warm up the wax again, and then try to smooth out the cracks with your fingers.
Once you are happy with the shape of your candles, submerge them in cold water to set the shape. This will only take about 20 seconds. Your candles are now ready to be used and admired!
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Bend the candle
To bend a taper candle, you will need a sink or container, and water that is lukewarm or medium-warm. Some sources suggest warming the water to between 50-60°C (120-140°F). You will also need a bowl or dish of cold water to set the candle's shape.
Add the water to your chosen container or sink. It is important that the water is not too hot, as this could melt the wax too much and cause the candle to lose its shape. Ensure the candle is made of paraffin wax and does not have a coating.
Fully submerge the candle in the hot water and leave it for around 20 minutes. The wax will soften and become pliable and easier to manipulate. If the candle is not soft enough after this time, leave it in the water for a little longer.
Once the wax is soft, remove the candle from the water. You will only have around 30 seconds to bend the candle before the wax becomes too cool and inflexible, so plan the desired shape in advance.
With one hand steadying the top of the candle, use the other hand to gently twist and bend the candle into the desired shape. Keep the candle underwater as much as possible to keep the wax warm. You can create as many twists as you like, as long as the wax is warm and pliable. For a snake coil shape, wrap the candle around a wooden spoon or pen.
To set the shape, submerge the candle in the bowl of cold water for 20-30 seconds, or until the wax is no longer flexible. Place the candle on a safe surface to cool and harden.
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Harden the wax
To harden candle wax, you must let it cool. However, wax that is cooled can still be soft and pliable. Soft wax will burn faster and more unpredictably, and the wick will be able to move around the container it is placed in.
To create a denser, longer-burning wax, you can add certain additives to melted wax. Melt the wax in a double boiler at a medium temperature, being careful not to get water in the wax or on the wick, as this will cause pockets in the wax and a crackling noise when burning.
There are several additives that can be used to harden wax:
- Microcrystalline Wax 195 is a candle additive that will harden the candle, raise the melting point, and reduce or eliminate mottling. It is recommended for pillars and tapers and comes in an easy-to-use bead form. The recommended amount is 1 to 2 teaspoons per pound of wax.
- Poly AC-6A will harden your candles while making them less translucent and giving them a shiny finish.
- Vybar 103 is a higher-melt-point additive used in moulded candles to lock in colour and scent. It will harden your candles and make them more opaque.
- Triple-pressed stearic powder, or stearin, can be used in any amount from 1% to 100%. It acts as a hardener for low-melt-point waxes and lowers the melting point of high-temperature waxes. In low percentages, it may cause snow spots, while in moderate percentages it will turn opaque. At high percentages, crystallisation will occur. The recommended amount is 10% per pound of wax.
- Paraffin wax can be added to wax to make it more translucent and give it a cleaner glow. It has a high melting point and must be melted separately from the wax with a higher heat source. Adding 20% makes a good veneer and will help reduce dripping. However, there are mixed opinions about whether paraffin is toxic.
- Beeswax is often added to soy wax to make the blend harder.
After adding your chosen additive to the melted wax, pour the wax into the intended container and place the wick, making sure it is centred. You will then need to wait for the wax to harden. This usually takes at least 24 hours, but it is recommended to wait for a period of 2 to 3 days to let the candle settle fully.
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Combine twisting and bending
To combine twisting and bending, start by warming up some water to a medium warm-hot temperature. It should be between 50-60°C or 120-140°F. Place your paraffin taper candle in the hot water and ensure it is fully submerged. Leave the candle in the water for around 20 minutes to allow the wax to soften.
Once the wax is pliable, remove the candle from the water and start shaping it. With one hand steadying the top of the candle, use the other hand to twist from the bottom. You can create as many twists as you like, as long as the wax is still warm.
To add a bend to your twisted taper candle, simply continue shaping the candle with your hands. You can bend it into a snake coil shape by wrapping it around a wooden spoon or pen. Keep the candle underwater as much as possible to keep the wax warm and pliable.
When you are happy with the shape of your candle, submerge it in cold water to set the shape. Leave it in the water for around 20-30 seconds until the wax is no longer flexible. Then, remove the candle from the water and place it on a safe surface to cool and harden.
Your twisted and bent taper candle is now ready to be displayed or lit!
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Create a stylish base
To create a stylish base for your taper candles, you can try a few different methods. Firstly, ensure you have the right type of candle. Paraffin wax candles without any coating are the best for shaping as they are easy to bend and twist without breaking. Longer candles, 8 inches or more, will also give you more flexibility in terms of shaping.
Now, to soften the wax, you will need to warm it up. You can do this by placing the candles in a tub of very hot tap water. Be cautious, as you don't want the water to be scalding and melt the wax. Set a timer for around 10 to 20 minutes, and fully submerge the candles. The wax will become softer and more malleable.
Once the candles are soft, gently remove one from the water. You can now shape the base by bending the wax into your desired style. Remember to leave around two inches at the bottom of the candle so that it still fits into a candle holder.
To set the shape, submerge the candle into a bowl of cold water and hold it there for 10 to 30 seconds. The wax will harden, and you will know it is ready when you can no longer bend it. Now you have a stylish, shaped base for your taper candle.
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Frequently asked questions
Paraffin wax candles are the best option for bending and twisting. Avoid coated candles as these are more prone to breaking.
Place the candles in a container filled with warm water (between 50-60°C or 120-140°F). Ensure they are fully submerged and soak for around 20 minutes.
The candles are ready when the wax is soft and pliable. If the wax is still hard, leave the candles in the water for a few more minutes.
Remove the candles from the water and start bending them into your desired shape. Keep the candles underwater as much as possible to maintain the wax's warmth and pliability.
Once you are happy with your design, submerge the candles in a bowl of cold water for 10- 30 seconds to harden the wax and set the shape.
