Posts Tagged ‘candle making how to’

Making Chunk Candles

Monday, August 31st, 2009

CANDLE MAKING AT HOME!
Chunk candles add a great alternative to the standard pillar candle of yesterday. These colorful candles add a vibrancy and life to them. Looking at chunk candles, they appear to be very difficult to make. However, just the opposite is true. In fact, many candle makers claim they are easier to make than basic pillar candles. This is because pillar candles have to be perfectly smooth. If they aren’t, it is easy to see the visual defect. Such blemishes aren’t visible in chunk candles. While chunk candles aren’t recommended as a beginner project, they can be made once you know the basic of the candle making process.

CHUNK CANDLE MAKING STEPS!

There are two phases to making chunk candles. To make the process easier, it is recommended that you keep the two separate. Attempts to cut corners often result in chunk candles that are of poor quality and don’t burn well. The first phase of the project is making the chunks. The second is the process of turning those chunks into gorgeous candles. Some individuals may choose to purchase pre-cut chunks.

To make your candles their prettiest, select colors that compliment each other. To start making the color chunks, spray a cookie sheet with a non-stick cooking spray. You only want a thin film on the cookie sheet. After the wax you are using has completely melted, add a color to it as well as any fragrance you want. Pour the mix onto the cookie sheet. Fill the sheet to the level you want the depth of your candle chunks to be.

Keep an eye on the cooling color chunks. Once the wax is the consistency of cookie dough, you will want to use a sharp utility knife to cut it into chunks. Allow the chunks to continue cooling. If you are making several colors of chunks you can mix them together or leave them separate. Some people choose to let the colors mix together on their own while others like to create a design by adding the amount of each color they want.

CANDLE MAKING MOLDS!
Using the same molds that are used for pillar candles, insert your candle wick through the bottom of the candle mold. Fill the mold loosely with color chunks. You can put one color on the bottom with another color on top or even layers of three colors. You can also use only one color. The choice is all yours. Do not stack as many chunks as you can in the mold or the candle won’t form properly. Just toss them in and let them lay where they end up.

955134940_efd6d1caa3-chunk-candle2You are now ready to pour the melted wax over the color chunks. It is recommended that you do leave the melted wax colorless, but some people choose to add a light color to tint it and add a uniqueness to their chunk candles. As the candle cools, the chunks will adhere together with the hot wax. Once the molds cool, the chunk candles should slide out with ease.

EASY CANDLE MAKING!

Making chuck candles is really quite simple if you have the basic candle making ‘how to’ under your belt. These candles add flare to any décor as well as make great gifts. They are a bit more time consuming to make since you will be making your color chunks, but well worth the results. Remember that you can purchase color chunks to save you time. That is a great option for someone who plans to make large quantities of chunk candles.

DECORATIVE CANDLE MAKING!

For those who want to get even more creative, consider adding your own PAINTED FLORAL DESIGN WITH ACRYLIC PAINT . Also consider using embeds on the sides. You can position them inside the candle molds first. They will stay in place once you put the chunks in the mold. You can adjust the embeds as needed prior to adding the hot wax to the mold. There are excellent candle making books available on the various patterns and embeds you can add to make specific chunk candles.


Taper Candle Making

Monday, August 24th, 2009

Taper candles add elegance and charm to your dinner table and are perfect for romantic evenings at home.

You can make your own taper candles without much experience in candle making. The process of making taper candles involves hand dipping rather than using molds or jars. Hand dipping takes some practice to get the hang of it, but you will be a pro in no time. While you are practicing, you can melt that wax down again and again until you know the right way to form your taper candles. During practice, don’t add any color either, to keep the costs low.
2103047098_9d24559573_t-taper-candles
SUPPLIES NEEDED

You will need to purchase a dipping can from a craft store or online to make taper candles correctly. A double boiler is too narrow to make these candles. In addition, you will need a thermometer, wax, wick, dye for color, and fragrances to add scent if you desire. It is important to buy wick especially designed for taper candles. If you use pillar wick, your taper candles won’t burn properly. To make the best quality taper candles, you will want to use paraffin wax. Beeswax can bend easier, especially on warm days.

MELTING THE WAX

To melt the wax properly, use a large pot with a few inches of water for the dipping can to sit in. Never place the dipping can directly on the stove top as this is a safety issue. You may also expose your home to toxic fumes. While your wax is melting, work on your wicks. Cut the wick at least four inches longer than you want your candles to be. If you are making sets of taper candles, be sure that each wick is cut to the same exact length.

THE DIPPING PROCESS

Once your wax has melted and is at a temperature of between 150 and 165 degrees, you can start the dipping process. If you are going to add color or scent, you will want to do it now. Move the dipping can to a flat, dry surface. If you are using a counter top, place a towel or cookie sheet under the dipping can. Take a wick and dip it into the hot wax. You will only be getting the wick covered the first few dips.

2588258411_37fd23cb67_t-pink-taper-candleThe process of dipping taper candles is easy, yet time consuming. You will get the best looking candles if you don’t try to rush the process. Each dip should be a quick in and out process. Don’t allow the candle to linger in the wax hoping it will absorb more. Instead, it will cause your taper candles to have a chunky texture rather than a smooth finish. As the wax starts to cool, take the time to stop dipping and heat it again. Some candle makers dip while they have another dipping can of wax melting on the stove. This way, once the wax they are working with cools, they can switch. This keeps the process going if you are able to take advantage of it.

The number of times you will dip each candle depends on the width you want them. If you are making pairs, keep track of how many times you dip each one so they will match. As the wax begins to cool after each dip, you can dip again. As the candle gets wider, you will need to allow it to cool longer after each dip. You can also try dipping two at the same time – allowing one to cool while you dip the other of the set. Once the candle is the desired size and cools completely, cut the wick to ¼ inch of the top of the candle.

Make Your Own Candles

Thursday, August 20th, 2009

If you want to truly be creative from start to finish, why not make your own handmade candles? Regardless of whether you might be painting on the candles themselves or on the glass candle containers or leaving them plain, you can come up with some great items to give as gifts, to sell, or to enhance your own home décor. (For more on painting on candles,
go to PAINTING ON CANDLES .)

Making candles is easy. You, of course, need a few supplies. Then follow a few steps, and you can achieve the finished product you envisioned in your mind. There are a lot of ways to make candles, from following simple, quick steps or some complex methods. Whatever style of candle you decide to make, injecting some dose of your own creative ideas will make a whole lot of difference.

As you insert your own brand of style, do not forget to work safely and do not risk quality of the product over appearance only. There must be a balance of both. When you feel as if you have been training your self well in making custom candles, why not try it out as a small business?

The following post of this website hopefully will give you many, many ideas, and remember, if you are painting directly on the candles, go easy on the scent.

You may want to check out this book:
The Secrets to Successful Candle Making


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