How to Make Taper Candles

Follow this tutorial for creating elegant taper candles with inexpensive polyurethane molds. You will not need any special equipment, such as dipping rings for this craft. Taper candles are a timeless accent for home decorating and also make great gifts. You can add colors to match your decor and your favorite fragrances. A base former gives a professional-looking fluted end to the taper candle but is not absolutely necessary.The fluted end also makes it easier to fit in the taper candle holder. 

Materials:

• Polyurethane taper mold
• High melt point wax (>140 mp) or beeswax
• Flat braid wick
• Mold release
• Picture wire
• Color and fragrance to suit
• Additives to suit
• Wick bar
• Base former (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare your wax with color and fragrance as you normally would for any other candle. Remember that it helps to add color and additives at a slightly elevated temperature for uniform dispersion. Let the wax cool in order to add your fragrance right before achieving the pouring temperature.
    
2. Cut a piece of wire a little larger than twice the length of your mold and bend it completely in half. Insert the folded end of the wire through the hole in the mold, and use it to pull the wick through the taper mold. Leave an extra long length of wick so when you remove one candle it pulls enough wick through the hole so it is ready to be poured again without the use of the wire next time.
    
3. Wrap the wick around the wick bar so it holds snug and give the inside of the mold a quick light spray of mold release. Pour the wax slowly into the mold. Keep an eye on the mold and top off as necessary.
    
4. Use the base former to achieve a fluted end that looks very professional and aids you customer in the placement of their candle in a candle holder. Be sure the taper is burnt in a suitable candleholder.