Well, now that your very first kit has arrived, you're probably itching to get started. You should read any instructions carefully before commencing.

If you didn't receive any instructions or maybe you just purchased the items separately, then you will need some simple guidance.

In my previous post "What do I need to make soy candles?" I made a small list of basic equipment needed. As a refresher here is the list again.

2 old saucepans to use as a double boiler for melting your wax.
A thermometer ( a candy one is ideal)for checking temperature of your melting wax.
Digital Scales.
Pouring jug (metal or glass).
Wooden skewers or chopsticks for stirring.
Glue dots for sticking your tabbed wicks in containers.
Heat gun or hairdryer.
Old Newspapers to cover your work tops.

OK. Let's get down to business. Use 2 old saucepans as a double boiler. For anybody who is unfamiliar with this method, this entails a large pan roughly 1/3rd filled with water. In the smaller pan, place your soy wax. This can be in pellet form but is more commonly flaked. Place the smaller pan in the larger one. The water should reach halfway up the smaller pan. You may have to adjust the water level accordingly. If there is too much water, then once it starts to boil it may splash into the smaller pan contaminating the wax.

Place your "double boiler" on the stove over a medium heat. The soy wax will slowly melt into a liquid state. While waiting for the wax to melt, place some newspapers on your pouring area. This will help save your worktops, handy if you're a messy worker. The nice thing about soy wax wax, however, is that any spills are easily cleaned up with some hot soapy water.

If you are making some container candles then you can prepare your containers. Using either glue dots or a hot glue gun, firmly secure your tabbed wick in your chosen container. Make sure that it is properly centred. Votive or tart moulds don't need preparation beforehand.

Once your wax has fully melted you will need to check the temperature. You need to regulate the temperature to roughly 170F (75C). This is the most common temperature to add your fragrance oil.

Take your jug and place it on your scales. Then weigh out your melted wax using a ladle. How much you need is dependent on the size of your container. If you are using a 1lb jam jar then it will hold 8oz of wax quite comfortably. Once you have the wax in your jug it is time to add your fragrance oil. Start using a 6% ratio load. That means for every 1lb of wax you add 1 oz of oil. So, for 8 oz of wax you will need to add 1/2 oz of oil. Using a wooden chopstick or skewer, stir the oil into the wax until it is fully incorporated.

Check the temperature again and let it cool until it gets to about 120F(48C). Give your now scented wax another quick stir then carefully pour into your container. Very gently, straighten up your wick. You can keep it centred by securing the wick between a couple of wooden skewers which have been cut to size to fit over the diameter of your jar, and held together with a couple of elastic bands at each end. This makes an effective wick holder.

Let the candle cool completely until set. You can remove your wick holder. If the surface looks a bit uneven this can be quickly remedied by gently heating the top surface with a hairdryer. Remember to use a slow setting or you'll end up with wax splashing everywhere.

That's it! The hardest part is to patiently wait for your candle to cure. For soy you need about 5 days before you can appreciate the awesome smell. Just remember to trim your wick to 1/4" before lighting and to allow one hour burn for every inch in diameter.

Congratulations on making your very first soy container candle. Now you've been bitten by the bug there'll be no stopping you.