DIY autumn candles: the complete step-by-step guide

TL;DR: To make DIY autumn candles you need an easy-to-use wax such as Aqua Wax, a seasonal silicone mould and a warm fragrance. You can pour the wax straight into the mould for a freestanding candle, or into a plaster container made with Aqua Resin: either way, the candle is ready in a few hours.

Introduction

Autumn candles are the easiest way to bring the feel of the season into your home: a warm glow on the table, a hint of orange and cinnamon in the hallway, a small handmade gift for whoever invites you to dinner. The trouble is that most tutorials stop at wax in a glass jar, and the result looks nothing like the decorative candles you see in shops.

In this guide the Aqua Resin team shows you how to make autumn candles with a real shape, pumpkin, acorn, butterfly, using silicone moulds. If the container is what interests you most, you will find all the technical details in our guide to DIY candle holders.

Contents

• Key points
• What you need
• Two ways to make autumn candles with moulds
• Candle in a plaster container: step by step
• Freestanding candle from a silicone mould
• Autumn scents: pairings that work
• Autumn decorating ideas
• Common mistakes
• Safety
• Recommended products
• Frequently asked questions

Key points

• With Aqua Wax you can make both freestanding candles in silicone moulds and candles poured into a container.
• A plaster container made with Aqua Resin and Aqua Shield takes the wax directly and can be refilled once the candle has burned down.
• Fragrance should be measured as its manufacturer recommends: more does not mean a stronger scent.
• Aqua Resin is not an epoxy resin: it is a premium alpha gypsum, non-toxic and water-based, that demoulds in about 30 minutes.

What you need

• Aqua Wax, the Aqua Resin candle wax: it melts quickly, gives a smooth, even finish and carries fragrance well.
• An autumn-themed silicone mould: for a freestanding candle or for a container to fill.
• Wicks sized to the candle's diameter: pre-waxed wicks with a metal base are the easiest choice if you are just starting out.
• A candle fragrance oil, formulated to withstand the heat of melted wax.
• For the plaster container: Aqua Resin and Aqua Shield.
• Equipment: kitchen scale, a pan for the double boiler, a metal jug for the wax, and sticks to hold the wick straight.

Two ways to make autumn candles with moulds

1. Freestanding candle. Pour Aqua Wax straight into the silicone mould and, once it has set, pop it out: the candle itself takes the shape of the pumpkin or the butterfly. It is the quickest option and has a sculptural look.

2. Candle in a plaster container. First you make the container with Aqua Resin, then you pour the wax into it. The container stays after the candle has burned down and can be refilled: it is the version best suited as a gift.

The pumpkin mould with lid does both: with Aqua Resin you get a lidded pumpkin container, with Aqua Wax poured into the base you get a pumpkin-shaped candle.

Candle in a plaster container: step by step

For the container we use Aqua Shield instead of water: the protection runs through the whole piece and the plaster absorbs less wax. The autumn acorn mould is perfect for this project: it makes a small lidded container to give as a gift with the candle already inside.

1. Weigh the ingredients. 100 g of Aqua Resin to 50 g of Aqua Shield, which completely replaces the water.
2. Sprinkle the powder into the liquid and mix slowly, from the bottom up, to a smooth cream: mixing too fast traps air bubbles.
3. Pour into the mould and tap it on the work surface for a few seconds to bring the bubbles to the top.
4. Demould after about 30 minutes, gently flexing the silicone.
5. Leave to dry for 24 hours. Pouring wax into a container that is not yet dry is the mistake that spoils the result most.
6. Fix the wick to the centre of the base with a drop of melted wax and keep it straight with two sticks resting on the rim.
7. Melt Aqua Wax in a double boiler, without letting it boil and never leaving it unattended.
8. Take it off the heat and add the fragrance in the amount recommended by the manufacturer; stir gently to spread it evenly.
9. Pour the wax into the container and let it set without moving it.
10. Trim the wick to about one centimetre above the surface once the wax is completely cold.

Pro tip: if the surface sinks around the wick as it sets, keep a little wax aside and do a small top-up pour: the surface will be smooth again.

Freestanding candle from a silicone mould

Aqua Wax can also be poured directly into silicone moulds. The double butterfly mould, for example, is designed specifically for decorative candles and favours.

1. Place the wick in the mould before pouring and keep it centred with a stick laid across the top.
2. Melt and scent the wax as in the previous method.
3. Pour slowly up to the rim, without moving the mould.
4. Wait until it has fully set, right through to the core: demoulding too early breaks the details.
5. Demould by gently flexing the silicone and trim the wick.

Autumn scents: pairings that work

Homemade scented candles for autumn revolve around four scent families: warm citrus, spices, vanilla and woody notes. The best-loved pairings:

• Orange and cinnamon: the autumn classic, perfect for the hallway or the kitchen.
• Apple and clove: warm and fruity, lovely with a terracotta-coloured container.
• Vanilla and sandalwood: soft and enveloping, for the living room and bedroom.
• Spiced pumpkin: the most seasonal scent, a natural match for the pumpkin-shaped candle.

A useful clarification: essential oils and candle fragrance oils are not the same thing. An essential oil is a natural extract, more delicate and volatile when heated; a candle fragrance oil is formulated to withstand the temperature of melted wax and gives a steadier scent while the candle burns.

Pro tip: the right amount of fragrance is the one recommended by its manufacturer, as a percentage of the wax weight. Going over it does not boost the scent: the excess seeps to the surface and spoils the burn.

Autumn decorating ideas

• Candle trio: three candles of different heights, same scent, different shapes. An instant centrepiece.
• Colour-through container: tint the Aqua Resin mix in autumn shades before pouring, from terracotta to mustard.
• Lidded pumpkin as a gift: candle inside, lid on top, a jute ribbon and a handwritten tag.
• Pinecone and leaf arrangement: place the natural elements around the candle holder, never touching the flame.
• Autumn favours: small freestanding candles to give at September and October celebrations.

For more shapes, browse all our silicone candle moulds. And when December comes around, the same techniques work for DIY Christmas candle holders.

Common mistakes

• Tunnelling in the centre: the wick is too thin for the diameter. Next time, choose a thicker one.
• Smoke and a tall flame: wick too thick or too much fragrance.
• Weak scent: fragrance added to wax that was too hot, or an essential oil used instead of a candle fragrance oil.
• Uneven or cracked surface: no top-up pour, or the candle was moved while setting.
• Wax staining the plaster container: the container was not dry yet or was made without Aqua Shield.

Safety

Dry decorations close to the flame are the most real risk in autumn arrangements: leaves, moss, pinecones and twigs must always be kept away from the wick. If the arrangement is packed with natural elements, use an LED candle instead of a real flame: the effect is still lovely.

Never leave a burning candle unattended, stand it on a stable, heat-resistant surface and keep it away from curtains and draughts. Melting the wax is always a job for an adult. Aqua Resin objects are decorative and not suitable for food contact.

Recommended products

• Aqua Wax — candle wax for scented and decorative candles, suitable for containers and silicone moulds.
• Pumpkin mould with lid — for a pumpkin-shaped candle or a pumpkin container.
• Autumn acorn mould — a lidded container to fill with your candle.
• Double butterfly mould — for decorative candles and favours.
• Aqua Resin — premium alpha gypsum for containers, with a smooth porcelain-effect finish.
• Aqua Shield — the additive that makes the container resistant to wax and moisture.

Frequently asked questions

How do you make DIY autumn candles?

Melt the wax in a double boiler, add a warm fragrance such as orange and cinnamon as soon as the wax is off the heat, then pour it into a silicone mould or a container with the wick already fixed. With Aqua Wax and a pumpkin or acorn mould you get a decorative autumn candle in just a few hours.

Can you pour wax directly into a plaster candle holder?

Yes. After 24 hours of drying, pour the melted wax into the container's cavity with the wick centred. It is best to make the container with Aqua Shield instead of water in the mix, so the plaster absorbs less wax. Once the candle has burned down, the container can be refilled. Full details in our guide to plaster candle holders.

Can you make candles in silicone moulds?

Yes. Aqua Wax can also be poured into silicone moulds to make freestanding candles, for example pumpkin or butterfly shapes. Before demoulding, wait until the wax has set completely, right through to the core of the candle.

How much fragrance should you put in a homemade scented candle?

The right amount is the one recommended by the fragrance manufacturer, expressed as a percentage of the wax weight. Going over it does not make the candle smell stronger: the wax cannot hold the excess, which can seep to the surface and spoil the burn.

Which scents work best for autumn candles?

The scent families of autumn are warm citrus, spices, vanilla and woody notes. The most popular pairings are orange and cinnamon, apple and clove, vanilla and sandalwood, and spiced pumpkin.

Ready for your first autumn candle?

Pick your shape, prepare the wax and in one afternoon you will have candles to light at home or to give away. If you would rather start with the container, browse all our candle container moulds.
→ Discover Aqua Resin candle moulds