Jane Thompson has a couple of advantages when it comes to candle making.

"I have a high tolerance for mess, and I think that is important," she said.

And then there is her husband, Dennis Grosshans, a retired woodworker.

"He has made me hundreds of molds," she said. "I don't buy molds anymore; he makes them all for me out of PVC pipe and Plexiglas. He is a very creative tinkerer."

That's not to say Thompson doesn't encourage others to give candle making a try.

"What I tell people when they ask me, if you don't mind spending the $15 for the materials, go to the store and get what you need. If you just want to try, I would still recommend a frozen orange juice or a Coke can," she said. Area stores that carry candle-making materials include Hobby Lobby, Ben Franklin and Creative Art and Frame.

The list of must-have items includes wick (not string), and a mold sealer or duct tape to plug the hole where the wick comes through the bottom of the mold. An old pencil or a chopstick can be used to hold the wick taut across the top of the mold. For wax, paraffin from a grocery store is an inexpensive way to make a candle - wax from a craft store may be in too big a quantity for a beginner. It is possible to use shavings from a crayon to dye a candle, but a crayon will clog the wick and not burn well.

"The process of making a candle is quite simple," Thompson said. "But to make beautiful candles takes a lot of practice. There is a lot you learn by just doing it."

Candle making requires becoming familiar with the different melt points used for different types of candles. There are

also different wick sizes for the various sizes of candles. And creating a candle that burns evenly and beautifully is also part of the learning curve.

Thompson stresses that beginners should never melt wax over direct heat or try to melt wax in a microwave. Doing so can cause the wax to flame up, potentially creating a very dangerous situation.

"Wax must be melted in a double-boiler method," she said. Thompson uses a large 3-pound metal can to put her wax in. She sets the can on top of a metal canning lid inside a big pot. Water is poured all around, so that the metal can is surrounded. As the water boils around the can, the wax is melted.

For Thompson, mastering her craft required seeking out information and expertise the old-fashioned way. "It makes me kind of laugh that when I got into it 20 years ago, there was no Internet access to candle-making pages," she said. "Nowadays, you can Google candle making and you will be overwhelmed with information, directions and more. Some actually have pictures and tutorials."