Before each light, trim the wick to about 5 mm. A shorter wick means a steadier flame, less smoke, and a cleaner throw.

Remove any trimmed wick debris from the wax surface before lighting. Always protect the surface beneath your candle.

On the first light, let the wax pool reach the edges of the vessel — plan for two to three hours. This sets the memory of the wax and helps prevent tunneling.

After that first full melt, burn for no more than three to four hours at a time. Never leave a burning candle unattended.

Keep the wick centered as the candle burns. After each session, while the wax is still soft, gently nudge the wick back to the middle if it has drifted.

A centered wick helps the vessel heat evenly and keeps the flame steady.

When about 5 mm of wax remains, discontinue use. Place the vessel in the freezer until the wax hardens, then gently pop it out.

Wash with warm water and reuse — a small pot for pens, stems, or studio odds and ends.