Life lessons from basic candle making
I first entertained the idea of learning how to make candles after watching a rom-com movie on Netflix. You know how it goes, you’re watching a feel-good film, and suddenly there’s this scene where the lead star is into making candles to preserve the memory of his grandfather.
The candles seemed to draw nostalgia and evoke feelings of joy and gratitude in him. At that moment, I thought, “If a candle can make life feel that cozy, why not make my own?” So, the dream was born: I wanted to learn how to make my own candles.
Fast forward a bit, and my wish came true in a special way. My polymer clay art teacher, Izzie Guerrero-Puzon, supportive as she has always been, decided to treat me to a candle-making lesson. I was like a kid in a candy store—or should I say, like a Tita in a bazaar inside her crafting room.
Teacher Izzie knew how much I wanted to dive into this craft, so she invited me for a one-on-one session. The four-hour session turned into one that taught me more than just adding fragrances or cutting wicks. The process made me reflect on how candle-making is very much like life in so many ways. Here are some of what came to mind.
Lesson 1: Patience is a virtue (and a struggle!)
If there is one thing candle-making taught me, it’s that patience is a requirement. I have always considered myself a patient person until I found myself staring at a pot of wax that refused to melt quickly. It was like watching rice cook – you know it’s going to happen, but it takes forever.
From melting the wax to mixing in the scents at the right temperature and then waiting for it to cool down, each step requires you to slow down. To add to that, curing time before candles can be used or sold takes more than a week. This whole process was a humbling reminder that some things in life, much like candle making, cannot be rushed. It’s a good lesson, though. Sometimes, we need to slow down and let things unfold in their own time.
Lesson 2: Embrace creativity (even if it gets messy)
One of my favorite parts of the session was when Teacher Izzie said, “What I love most about candlemaking is the idea of coming up with a creative output. It warms my heart to see a product I personally designed and created.”
She was right! Candle making is like art class meets science experiment, with a dash of your favorite perfume. You get to choose the colors, the scents, and the containers. The possibilities are endless! I went a little wild and accidentally squeezed too much of a dye from a dropper. But that’s the beauty of it – you learn by experimenting. It is so much like life. Sometimes, you mix things up, and it works out but at other times, not so much. You simply have to embrace the creativity and the mess that comes with it.
Lesson 3: The importance of being present (and very mindful!)
Candle-making requires a surprising amount of focus. It is a delicate process that demands your full attention. I realized that this craft is a form of meditation in itself. It forced me to be present at the moment, to pay attention to each step, from measuring the wax to pouring it into the mold. Oh, yes, there is candle math, as Teacher Izzie would call it. I have to constantly stop in between steps to make sure I’m calculating correctly mentally, manually on paper, or digitally. In our fast-paced world, it’s a nice reminder to slow down and be mindful of all the little moments in life.
Lesson 4: Finding joy in simplicity (and that perfect scent)
There’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing a candle you made from scratch. It’s a simple joy, but trust me, also a profound one. Watching the candle take shape with a fragrance you carefully chose is like winning a small, personal victory.
It is the same feeling you get when you find your perfectly baked cookies out of the oven. This experience reminded me that joy does not always have to come from grand achievements or big events. Sometimes, it’s the simple things, like the act of creating something with your own hands, that bring the most happiness.
Candle-making turned out to be a source of valuable life lessons, with a dash of Filipino humor along the way. It taught me patience, encouraged my creativity, grounded me in the present (and kept me away from my phone), and helped me find joy in the mundane.
If you wish to experience the same illuminating experience (pun intended), Teacher Izzie is open to teaching different crafts through one-on-one or group sessions. If you’re interested in exploring the world of candle-making or other creative pursuits, you can reach her through @provenance1800designsandcrafts. Her guidance and passion for crafting have been an inspiration, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have learned from her.
Through this experience, I’ve come to realize that candle-making is about creating something tangible, lighting a spark of joy, creativity, mindfulness, and a whole lot of trusting the process. And if you end up with a room that smells like coffee, lemon, or fresh linen, well, that’s just the bonus.
For your random thoughts, e-mail the author at randomrepublika@gmail.com.
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