`The Candlemaker's Companion' by Betty Oppenheimer is a the very first book I have read on home candlemaking, and I got it primarily as a source for techniques for decorating commercially made candles, but I am happy to report that it lives up to its subtitle of `A Complete Guide to Rolling, Pouring, Dipping, and Decorating Your Own Candles'

The author states and I agree wholeheartedly that there are a lot of similarities between candlemaking and cooking, as long as you don't push the analogy too hard. Both skills use chemistry, heat, and measuring in roughly the same amounts, somewhere between a teaspoon (5 ml) and five pounds. And, if Ms. Oppenheimer's book were to be compared to a cookbook, it would not be to the Betty Crocker / Better Homes and Gardens / `Joy of Cooking' genre of lots of recipes with little why and wherefores or to the `Gourmet Magazine' / Martha Steward school of emphasis on elegance and entertaining or to the Eric Rippert / Thomas Keller / Daniel Boulud school of cuisine as high art. It can be most closely compared to Alton Brown of `Good Eats' and Shirley Corriher of `Cookwise' where the why of things is given just as much importance as the how and how much.

As someone totally new to the candlemaking craft, I am really impressed by how many variables go into making a successful candle. A matter so humble as the wick requires a whole chapter, and the first long chapter to boot. Dismiss any notions that any length of cotton string can serve as a wick. After reading this book, I am convinced that your conventional kitchen twine will fail miserably as a wick, regardless of the thickness of the candle or any other variable entering the picture. The best wicks are braided from many, many strands of cotton in such a way that as they burn, they bend so their tip reaches out to the outer layer of flame and becomes oxidized (turned to ash) without smoking as a result of partial burning.

This book starts out with defining different materials,waxes, molds,coloring/scenting,and wicks. It tells you how to prepare the wick;how to level the bottom of the candle;and how to use containers found in all homes. It has sections on beeswax candles,making tapers at home,making your own molds,painting and applique candles, layering candles, making floating flowers by hand, imbedding, gel candles(small section),making stacked candles,hurricane(shell)candles,stencilling, wrapped candle ideas,stick candles for the yard,marbling candles,and frosted candles. This book includes templates, variations and tips in the sections and all pages are either full colored pictures or have multiple pictures. Many of the crafts are even explained with pictures to show the novice how to make candles. I have bought around 30 books on candles and I still like this very much. It shows you how to make candles from nothing but the wax and your hands. I can't say enough about this book...