Chloe Adams
Taper candles are a staple of elegant tables, but reshaping them into twists and bends can add a playful twist to your dining table or mood lighting. This trend has taken over social media in the past couple of years, with product designers like Lex Pott showcasing unique and stylish taper candle designs. To reshape taper candles, you need to warm the wax to make it malleable, either by submerging the candle in hot water or running it under a warm tap. Once the wax is soft, you can twist, bend, or flatten the candle with your hands or a rolling pin. Finally, submerge the reshaped candle in cold water to set the new shape.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reasons for reshaping taper candles | Taper candles may lean or crack due to improper storage or shipping. |
| Tools required | Lukewarm/warm water, tin foil, masking tape, candle snugger, knife, taper tipper, rolling pin, wooden spoon, pen |
| Techniques | Warming wax, twisting, bending, flattening, curving into loops, submerging in cold water |
| Safety | Do not straighten a cool taper candle by force, place bendy candles on a heat-safe surface |
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What You'll Learn
Using warm water to reshape
Warm water can be used to reshape taper candles, and the process is relatively simple. Firstly, fill a glass container with warm water. The ideal temperature is between 50–60°C (120–140°F) or 110–120°F, but if you don't have a thermometer to hand, a rule of thumb is to make the water as hot as your hands can bear to be submerged in.
Place the taper candles in the water and let them sit for around 10 minutes. The exact time can vary, so be patient and keep an eye on the candles. You are looking for the wax to become soft and pliable. If the wax is too cold, it will be difficult to manipulate, and if it is too hot, it will lose its shape. If you see wax floating on the water, the temperature is too high.
Once the wax is soft, remove one candle from the water, keeping the others submerged and warm. You now have around 30 seconds to a few minutes to work with the candle before it cools, so have a plan in mind. You can use a rolling pin or glass jar to flatten the candle, leaving 2 inches at the top and bottom unflattened, or simply bend the candle with your hands. If the wax is very warm and pliable, you can create tight twists by holding the ends of the candle and twisting in opposite directions. You can also create a snake-coil shape by wrapping the candle around a wooden spoon or pen.
If the candle does start to cool and harden, place it back in the warm water to soften again. Once you are happy with the shape, place the candle in cold water to set the design.
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Twisting and bending techniques
To reshape taper candles with twisting and bending techniques, you need to soften the wax first. This can be done by submerging the candles in hot water for 10 to 20 minutes. The ideal temperature range for the water is between 50°C and 60°C or 100°F and 140°F. Keep the candles in the water while working with them.
Once the wax is soft and pliable, you can start to bend and twist the candles into your desired shape. To create a twist, flatten the candle with a rolling pin or a mason jar, leaving a space of about two inches at the bottom so that it still fits into a candle holder. With one hand steadying the top of the candle, use your other hand to gently twist the bottom. You can create as many twists as you like, as long as the wax is still warm.
To intertwine two or more candles, hold them together and twist your hands in opposite directions. If the candles are warm and pliable, you can achieve a tight twist. For a snake coil shape, wrap the candle around a wooden spoon or a pen. Thin taper candles are easier to manipulate but can be more prone to cracking.
To set the shape of your twisted candle, submerge it in cold water. To store your finished taper candles, wrap them gently in bubble wrap and keep them in a sturdy container to avoid denting the wax.
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Tools to help reshape
To reshape taper candles, you will need to warm the wax to make it malleable. This can be done by placing the candle in hot water for about 10 minutes. A water pitcher or baking dish can be used for this purpose. Beeswax candles take longer to soften than paraffin wax candles, which are the easiest to shape.
Once the wax is warm, you can use a variety of tools to reshape the taper candles:
- Rolling pin: To flatten the candle, place it on waxed paper and use a rolling pin to gently apply pressure. Rotate the candle to roll both sides.
- Hands: With one hand, steady the top of the candle, and use the other hand to gently twist the bottom of the candle. You can create as many twists as you like as long as the wax is still warm.
- Wooden spoon or pen: For a snake coil shape, wrap the candle around a wooden spoon or pen.
- Knife: To trim down the base of the candle, you can use a kitchen knife to carve it down so that it fits tightly inside a candle holder.
- Taper Tipper: This is a specific tool designed to trim down the base of taper candles.
- Candle Snugger: A Candle Snugger is a piece of foam that is cut into a circular shape. Place one piece across the top of your candle holder and press the candle down into the hole. The foam disk fills the extra space around the taper to give it a snug fit.
- Putty: Putty can be used to fill the gap between the candle and the holder. It must be stiff so that it can be moulded into any shape or thickness to keep the candle solidified in its place.
- Hair ties: Small, clear elastic hair ties can be wrapped around the bottom of the candle to keep it stable in its holder.
- Tin foil or masking tape: Cut a strip of tin foil or masking tape about 1/2 inch wide and about 4 inches long. Fold the strip in half lengthwise so that you have a strip that is 1/4 inch wide and 4 inches long. Wrap this around the bottom of the candle to fill the gap between the candle and the holder.
After reshaping the candle, submerge it in cold water to set the shape.
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Reshaping candles with a knife
Prepare the Candle and Work Area
Before you begin, ensure your knife is sharp and clean. A sharp knife will create a smooth cut and reduce the risk of cracking or breaking the candle. Cover your work surface with newspaper or any other protective material to catch any wax shavings.
Warm the Candle (Optional)
If your candle has become bent, you can straighten it by warming the wax. Hold the candle under warm tap water, being careful not to make the wax too soft. Once the wax is pliable, gently bend the candle back to its proper shape. Then, run cold water over the candle to harden the wax again.
Shave the Candle
Hold the candle gently but firmly near the base, with the base facing up. Using the knife, carefully shave off small amounts of wax from the base of the candle. Work in a rotating motion, slowly turning the candle to ensure an even reduction in diameter. Check the fit in your taper candle holder periodically to avoid over-shaving.
Fit the Candle in the Holder
Continue shaving the candle until it fits snugly and securely in the holder. Be cautious not to push too hard when inserting the candle into the holder, as this can cause cracking. If desired, you can soften the base of the candle by holding it above a flame or heat source for 20-30 seconds before inserting it into the holder.
Final Touches
Once the candle is in the holder, allow it to cool and solidify, which should take a minute or two. You can also melt the ends of the candle slightly to smooth out any messy cuts. Now your taper candle is ready to illuminate your space!
Reshaping taper candles with a knife is a straightforward process, but it requires patience and practice to master. Always work carefully and slowly to avoid accidentally damaging your candles.
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Setting the shape with cold water
To set the shape of a taper candle with cold water, you must first warm the candle in warm water to make it malleable. The ideal temperature range for the water is between 50-60°C or 120-140°F. Beeswax candles tend to take longer to soften than paraffin candles. Leave the candle in the warm water for around 10 minutes, or until the wax is soft enough to be shaped.
Once the candle is soft, remove it from the warm water and begin shaping it. You can twist the candle, bend it, or curve it into loops. If you want to twist the candle, it is recommended to flatten the middle of the candle with a rolling pin before twisting it. Hold one end of the candle steady with one hand while using your other hand to gently twist the other end. You can create as many twists as you like, as long as the wax is still warm.
After shaping the candle, submerge it in cold water to set the new shape. The candle should be submerged for 10-20 seconds, or until the wax is no longer flexible. This will ensure that the candle holds its new shape.
If you are creating a snake coil shape, you can wrap the candle around a wooden spoon or pen. For candles with intricate shapes, it is recommended to let them harden in cold water before removing them to avoid losing their shape.
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Frequently asked questions
To reshape taper candles, you need to warm the wax to make it malleable. You can do this by placing the candle in hot water for around 10 minutes. Then, remove the candle from the water, pat it dry, and place it on waxed paper. Flatten the candle with a rolling pin and twist it to create your desired shape. Finally, submerge the candle in cold water to set the new shape.
The ideal temperature range for the water is 50-60°C or 120-140°F.
Leave the candle in the hot water for around 10 minutes, or until the wax is slightly soft and malleable.
If your candle cracks while bending it, it may not have been warm enough. Place the candle back into the hot water to warm it up, then try to smooth out the cracks with your fingers.
