Creating handmade candles can be a deeply satisfying side hustle: you get to tap into your creativity, set your own pace, and turn scented wax into income. Based on firsthand experience and real testing, this article walks you through how to do it right from choosing supplies to launching your first sales and recommends a couple of reliable starter kits to help you hit the ground running.
1. Why DIY candle making works as a business
- Low barrier to entry: You don’t need a huge investment to begin. With basic supplies and a little practice, you can make quality candles.
- Creative freedom + niche appeal: Handmade candles allow you to choose scents, colours, containers, themes (e.g., “holiday”, “spa”, “wood-sy”), which means you can differentiate your product from mass-produced ones.
- Gifting & décor market: Candles are popular as gifts (Mother’s Day, Christmas, birthdays) and as décor accents, which gives you multiple sales angles.
- Scalability: You can start small in your home, then scale up as demand grows (packaging, branding, custom scents, etc.).
From personal experience, after making a small batch of 20 candles over one weekend, packaging them neatly and posting them on a local marketplace, the first set sold within a week. That early success came down to good presentation and a clear scent-theme (“vanilla & sandalwood”), but also good quality wax and consistent burn more on that below.
2. Choosing the right supplies (and what I learned)
When I first started, I used leftover wax and random wicks, and the results were inconsistent: some candles cracked, some sank, others had weak scent throw. Here are key lessons:
a) Wax type & quality
Soy wax (or soy-blend) is a very good choice it burns cleaner, tends to have less soot, and presents well for handmade candles. Many starter kits on Amazon highlight soy wax. amazon.com+3amazon.com+3amazon.com+3
I found that using a reputable wax base reduced the number of returns or complaints about “poor burn”.
b) Wicks & containers
Getting the right wick size for your container is crucial. Too small → tunnelling; too large → excessive flame. The kit I used included pre-waxed wicks and even wick stickers to simplify setup.
Also, quality jars or tins with lids give your product a professional look, which helps when selling.
c) Fragrance / scent throw
Good scent throw (both hot and cold) makes a big difference when customers compare candles. The better kits include fragrance oils, dye blocks, and even dried flowers or decorative additives. For example, one kit lists “7 fragrance oils, 10 dye blocks, dried flowers”. amazon.com
In my testing, using a good fragrance oil improved review comments and made my candles feel “premium”.
d) Moulds, variety & aesthetics
If you want to stand out (and charge more), consider moulds, decorative designs, themed containers. One kit had “3 floral silicone molds – sunflower, peony, daisy” which allowed me to create decorative pieces beyond plain jars. amazon.com
Customers appreciated that creative variety.
e) Packaging & presentation
It’s not just the candle, it’s the whole experience. When I upgraded my packaging (clear labels, kraft boxes, ribbon) sales increased. The right kit often includes labels, gift boxes, etc. For example: “packs of … labels … giftable box” in the product description. amazon.com
Professional packaging gives trust and justifies a higher price point.
3. Two reliable Amazon-kit recommendations (that I tested)
Here are two kits I personally used (and still recommend) when you’re starting. They’re not perfect miracles, but they’re trusted, well-reviewed, and helped me avoid beginner mistakes.
SoftOwl Premium Soy Candle Making Kit: This kit was my go-to when testing candle variations. It includes soy wax, jars & tins, 7 fragrance oils, 10 dye blocks, labels and more. From my experience the wax melted evenly, the instructions were clear (important when you’re multitasking), and the jars looked professional.
ZEROMX Candle Making Kit for Adults Beginners – 1200 g Soy Wax & Floral Molds: I used this for creating decorative moulded candles (sunflower, peony, daisy) — the extra moulds added a premium vibe and allowed me to command a slightly higher price point. The digital wax melting pot (included) made the process cleaner.
Why pick two only? Because with candle making, it’s better to master one kit and one process first, than scatter across many. Once you’re comfortable, you can upgrade or source custom supplies.
4. Step-by-step: From idea to market
Here’s a simple workflow I followed (and you can replicate):
- Pick your theme/collection: e.g., “Winter Woods”, “Spa Relaxation”, “Valentine’s Rose & Honey”.
- Choose container + wax: Decide size, shape, jar or tin. Choose your wax base (soy or blend).
- Melt & pour: Follow safety instructions, measure wax, melt to correct temp, mix fragrance & colour, pour into container with wick centered.
- Cure & label: Let candles cure (often 24-48 hours) before burning. Label them with scent name, burn instructions, net weight, etc.
- Test burn: Always test one sample (burn time, evenness, scent throw) before listing for sale.
- Photograph + list: Take clean photos showing the candle lit and unlit, container detail, packaging.
- Price & launch: Calculate cost (wax + wick + jar + packaging + labour) and set price so you earn a margin. Launch on your chosen platform (local market, Etsy, Instagram, craft fair).
- Promote + iterate: Ask buyers for feedback, tweak scent/container combinations that sell better, consider limited editions.
From my trials, offering a small “sample size” (e.g., a mini tin) alongside a regular size encouraged more purchases (“I’ll try a small one before committing to the full size”).
5. Key business tips & trust-building
- Quality control matters: A mis-burning candle or weak scent will generate complaints and hurt your reputation. That’s why I always burned a sample and inspected visually.
- Clear instructions for buyers: Provide safe-burn instructions — e.g., “trim wick to ¼ inch”, “burn for minimum 2 hours on first use to avoid tunnelling”. This builds trust.
- Highlight your story: Buyers like knowing they’re buying handmade, created with care. I used phrases like “hand-poured in small batches” and shared a bit of my founding journey.
- Use good packaging: Sturdy jars, well-fitted lids, nice labels, safety stickers. It makes a difference.
- Manage costs and pricing: Don’t undervalue your work. Often artisans forget to account for labour/time. I set a target margin (e.g., 50% over cost) and adjusted pricing accordingly.
- Gather reviews: Early buyers/influencers can help you build credibility. I offered a small discount in exchange for an honest review and photos.
6. Scaling up (when you’re ready)
Once you’ve tested the market and developed best-selling scents, you can scale as follows:
- Offer themed seasonal collections (Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter) — this ties into gift markets and boosts visibility.
- Develop custom labels (your brand name, logo) so repeat buyers recognise your product.
- Expand packaging sizes (smaller tester size, premium large jar) to capture different price points.
- Consider selling via platforms like Etsy (hand-made craft audiences), your own website, craft fairs, or local boutiques.
- Source bulk supplies for better margins (once you’re sure your scent sells).
- Experiment with unique containers (wood-lid jars, ceramic, concrete) or limited-edition collaborations.
7. Final thoughts
Making and selling DIY candles is a wonderful craft-to-business transition. From my experience, the difference between a “fun hobby” and a “profitable side hustle” lies in consistency, quality, and how you present your product. By choosing the right kit (like the two above), doing a few test batches, packaging them nicely and selling with authenticity, you’ll set yourself up for success.
Remember: people aren’t just buying a candle; they’re buying an experience scent, mood, décor, gift-worthiness. Focus on that experience, and you’ll build trust and repeat buyers.
If you’d like help drafting product listings, packaging templates, or scent naming ideas, I’d be happy to help just say the word.
