Chloe Adams
Candles are a staple of elegant tables, but a fun way to add a spin to your next centerpiece is to twist taper candles. This trend has taken over TikTok and Instagram, with people creating unique and eye-catching silhouettes. To twist taper candles, you will need a few items, including a candle, hot water, and a rolling pin. First, you will need to warm up the wax by submerging it in hot water for about 10 minutes. Then, flatten the candle with a rolling pin, leaving about 2 inches at the bottom unflattened so that it can still fit into a candle holder. Finally, twist the candle and place it in cold water to set the shape. You can also intertwine two or more candles by holding them together and twisting your hands in opposite directions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Items needed | Taper candles, hot water, a water pitcher or baking dish, a rolling pin or glass jar, parchment paper, and a container |
| Moulds | One-of-a-kind twisted candle moulds are available for purchase |
| Candle type | Solid-coloured, paraffin wax, or soy wax candles |
| Water temperature | 50-60°C or 120-140°F |
| Process | Soak candles in hot water, flatten with a rolling pin, twist, and submerge in cold water to set the shape |
| Techniques | Twisting, bending, curving into loops, intertwining multiple candles |
| Safety | Place bendy candles on a heat-safe surface if lighting them |
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What You'll Learn
Warm the candles in water
Warming the candles in water is a crucial step in creating twisted taper candles. The warmth from the water softens the wax, making it pliable and easy to manipulate. The ideal temperature range for the water is between 50-60°C or 120-140°F. Use a candy or regular thermometer to get the right temperature.
To start, place your chosen taper candles in a heat-resistant container, ensuring they are fully submerged in the hot water. Solid-coloured, solid wax candles are the best option for this project, as coated candles may shed their colour when soaked. Beeswax candles are an option, but they take longer to soften than paraffin candles. Let the candles sit in the hot water for around 5-10 minutes.
Once the candles have softened, remove them from the water one at a time, keeping the rest submerged and warm. Gently pat the candle dry and place it on a non-stick surface, such as waxed paper or a marble cutting board. If you're using multiple candles, work with one at a time to ensure they remain pliable.
Now, it's time to twist! Using a rolling pin or a mason jar, gently flatten the middle portion of the candle, leaving 2 inches at the top and bottom unrolled. This creates an even surface for twisting. 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 remains warm and pliable.
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Flatten the candle's middle
To flatten the middle of a taper candle, you will need to soften the wax first. To do this, heat the candle in warm water. The water should be hot but not fully hot—more like lukewarm. Place the part of the candle that you want to twist under the water, moving it back and forth to prevent the wax from getting so soft that it loses its shape.
Once the wax is warm and malleable, remove the candle from the water. Before twisting, flatten the candle with a rolling pin. With one hand steadying the top of the candle, use the other hand to gently twist the bottom of the candle. Rotate the candle and roll it on both sides to create an even surface. Leave a space of approximately two inches at the bottom of the candle so that it still fits into candle holders.
You can create as many twists as you like, as long as the wax is still warm and malleable. You could also combine this technique with the bending technique to create twisted bends in your candle. Twist from the bottom of the candle. Finally, set the shape by submerging the candle in cold water for 10 to 20 seconds until the wax is no longer flexible.
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Twist the candle
To twist a taper candle, start by placing the candle in hot water for about 10 minutes. The ideal temperature range for the water is between 50-60°C or 120-140°F. Keep the candles in the water while working with them to prevent them from hardening.
Once the candle has softened, remove it from the water and place it on a flat surface. You can use waxed paper or parchment paper to prevent sticking. Next, use a rolling pin or a mason jar to flatten the middle of the candle, leaving 2 inches at the top and bottom unflattened.
Now it's time to twist! Hold the candle at each end and twist your hands in opposite directions. You can create as many twists as you like, as long as the wax is still warm and pliable. If the candle starts to harden, simply place it back in the warm water to soften again.
Once you've achieved your desired number of twists, place the candle in cold water to set the shape. Submerge it for about 10 to 20 seconds until the wax is no longer flexible.
And that's it! You now have a beautifully twisted taper candle to enjoy. You can create interesting shapes by intertwining multiple candles or bending them around a wooden spoon or pen. Just remember to press the base of the candle onto a flat surface while it's still warm to ensure it can stand on its own.
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Bend the candle
To bend a taper candle, you must first soften the wax by soaking the candle in hot water. The ideal temperature for the water is between 50-60°C or 120-140°F. Leave the candle in the water for around five to ten minutes, or until the wax is pliable.
Once the candle is soft enough, remove it from the water and place it on a flat, heat-safe surface. You can now begin to shape the candle. Using a rolling pin or glass jar, flatten the middle of the candle, leaving 2 inches at the top and bottom untouched.
Now you can start to bend the candle. To create a snake coil shape, wrap the candle around a wooden spoon or pen. You can also intertwine two or more candles by holding them together and twisting your hands in opposite directions. If the candle starts to harden, simply place it back in the hot water to soften again.
To ensure the candle holds its new shape, place it in cold water to set. You can also press it onto a flat surface to create a flat base so it can stand on its own.
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Set the shape with cold water
Once you have twisted your taper candle into your desired shape, it's time to set the design by dipping it in cold water. This process will help to preserve your creation. The cold water will cause the wax to harden, locking in the twisted shape.
Fill a container with cold water and submerge the candle for 10 to 20 seconds until the wax is no longer flexible. You can use a bowl or a wide-mouth Mason jar as your container. Make sure the candle is completely submerged so that all parts of the twisted candle are exposed to the cold water and can harden evenly.
If you are working with multiple candles, you can dip them one at a time, patting them dry and placing them on a flat surface to maintain their shape as they cool completely. It usually takes about 20 minutes for the candles to cool and harden fully.
If you notice any cracks or imperfections in your twisted candle, you can smooth them out by warming the candle slightly and reshaping it with your fingers before dipping it in cold water again.
By setting your twisted taper candles with cold water, you can create unique and eye-catching designs that will brighten up your home decor.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need taper candles, a large container, hot water, and a rolling pin or mason jar.
Solid-coloured paraffin wax candles are best as they are easy to shape and the colour won't come off when soaked in water.
First, warm the candles in hot water to make them pliable. Then, flatten the middle of the candle with a rolling pin, leaving 2 inches at the top and bottom unrolled. Finally, grab the candle at each end and twist in opposite directions.
Place the twisted candle in cold water to harden and set the design.
You can twist two or more candles together, bend them into snake coils, or create loops and bends for unique, eye-catching silhouettes.
