Posts Tagged ‘Making candles’

Making Container Candles

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

CANDLE MAKING AT HOME
Container candles are a beautiful way to accent your home. To make your container candles look the best, choose glassware that is sturdy and has a simple design. You can purchase this glassware for a very low price at most retail stores. You can also generally find great deals at yard sales, flea markets and thrift stores as well.

CLEAN JARS WELL!
Clean all the glass prior to using them to prevent dust or particles from building up inside. If you have a dishwasher, a quick rinse
will do the trick.
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CANDLE MAKING SUPPLIES NEEDED!
You will need to obtain a few supplies in addition to your glassware before you can start the process of making container candles. You will need a double boiler for the wax, quality wax, dye, and fragrances if you desire to use scents. It is best to get wicks with tabs for making this type of candle. For container candles, you can use either paraffin wax or bees wax. Melt the wax in the double boiler to a temperature of about 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it has reached that temperature, add you color and scent.

HEAT THE JARS BEFORE FILLING WITH WAX!
For best results, microwave the glass containers for a minute or two (if it has no metal on it.) This will make sure the wax doesn’t leave unsightly air pockets in the container as it hardens. Place the glass containers on a cookie sheet to make clean-up from any spills a snap. Fill each glass container within one inch of the top. Leaving that extra space will allow room for the candle to burn and not drip outside the container. You will need to let your container candles cool for about 20 minutes.

 ADD THE WICKS!
Gently place a wick with tab into each candle container. You will need to keep an eye on them as you will need to make sure the wick stays centered as the wax hardens. Once the candles completely cool, cut the wick to ½ inch of the top of the candle. A great way to make working with the wicks easier is to take a ball point pen apart. Place the shell of the pen around the wick and use it to guide the wick into place. Slowly remove the pen. As the wax hardens, the wick tab will stay firmly in place. Or you can clip the top of the wick with a clothes pin laid across the opening to help keep it in place.

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DECORATE!!
You can add creativity to your container candles by decorating the jars with paints. If you intend to paint a design on the container, you may want to do that before filling it with the wax. Some acrylic paints for glass have to be baked after being applied so of course, you won’t want to bake it with the wax inside. (Read your labels for your paint. Some newer glass paints will air-cure after several days and do not require being baked.) Sequins and glitter make great design tools as well. For a simple yet attractive design, consider adding a pretty colored ribbon around the top of the container. The design of container candles allows them to burn down to almost nothing, ensuring you get the most out of each candle.

The possibilities for decorating container candles are endless. You will be fascinated at all the great ideas: holidays, special occasions, and fun themes. For a great family craft, consider allowing your children to decorate the jars while you take care of working with the hot wax.

ENJOY! BUT WATCH CAREFULLY!
Candles add beauty and wonderful smells to your home, but caution should always be used when burning them. It is important to keep them out of reach of children and to never leave them burning unattended. If you plan to move a container candle, be sure the jar has not become too hot as this can result in severe burns.

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Container candles are very simple and inexpensive to make. They also add beauty and romance to any home or occasion. These candles give you, the candle maker, lots of room for being creative.


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Make Hand Dipped Candles

Monday, August 24th, 2009

Making candles is a great hobby or business endeavor. Once you get the hang of it, the process is quite simple. For those who have the basics down pat, consider experimenting with the art of making hand dipped candles. While these lovely creations take more time, they are stunning. You can use several colors on each candle, giving it a unique color scheme.

BASIC TOOLS NEEDED

There are basic tools you will need to make hand dipped candles. Most of them you may already have if you have experience in making candles. You will need a large amount of paraffin wax, wick, and a double boiler to melt it in. Other utensils include wooden spoons, bowls, and a good quality thermometer. The colors available for hand dipped candles are too many to name. These colors come in various forms including cakes, chips, powder, or liquid. If you choose to add scents to your hand dipped candles you need to be sure it is pure oil that does not have a water or alcohol base to it.

PREPARATION

You will prepare your wax for hand-dipped candles the same as you do for regular candles. Let it continue to heat until it reaches a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it does, turn the heat down very low to keep the wax in liquid form. Add the color to the wax, using a small amount at a time until you reach the color you want. Add a small amount of scent to the mix at this time if you desire. Use scents moderately as you don’t want to have too powerful a smell. Using too much fragrance can also result in the candle not burning properly.

PREPARING THE WICKS

Next, cut the wick for your candle, keeping it just a bit longer than the candle length you want. If you are making sets of the candles, it is important to cut the wicks exactly the same length. You will want to dip the wicks into the candle wax, being sure to coat it properly. This is how you will ‘build’ your candle. After the wicks cool, dip them again. Each time you dip the wick, the candle will grow in size. If you want different areas of the candles to be different colors, you will be able to do so by simply having more than one color of wax ready to use. Once you candle is close to the desired thickness you want, shave it with a soft blade, giving the top a pointed look. Dip your candles a few more times to give them a smooth finish.
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PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!

Creating hand dipped candles is a great hobby or business venture. The process is time consuming, but the creations are beautiful. Learning to make hand-dipped candles can be somewhat tricky. This is not a good type of candle for beginners to try to learn with. They will quickly become frustrated. To practice without wasting supplies, melt down the wax from the candles you are building and use it over and over again until you have the process perfected.

To make particular designs on hand dipped candles, consider purchasing a book. Most will offer you great color photos with step by step directions for making each hand-dipped candle. You will also be able to obtain great color charts for obtaining the best color for your candles.

Check out this book for expert advice:
The Complete Guide For Making Amazing Candles


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Make Your Own Pillar Candles

Monday, August 24th, 2009

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ADD ELEGANCE WITH PILLAR CANDLES!

Pillar candles add a certain touch of elegance and style to your home and even to your dinner table, especially when used as part of a centerpiece. They are often used on the tables at wedding receptions in the colors of the wedding. It was very appealing. Pillar candles come in all colors and scents and are called pillars because they are round and tall like a pillar. There is no standard size though, as pillar candles come in many widths and heights. Occasionally, pillar candles are found with a unique design such as a ridge on the top and bottom.

EASY TO MAKE!

Making pillar candles is quite simple. This type of candle is one of the most common for candle makers to indulge in. To make pillar candles, you will need molds, which you can find in all sizes at most craft suppliers. These molds may be made of silicon, aluminum, or plastic. For best results, I suggest using pillar candle molds that are made of aluminum. They allow the wax to cool better, resulting in a smooth finish on the candles. They are also very durable.

GETTING STARTED!

To get started, first decide on the size of candles you want to make and how many. You can find charts in candle making books which will help you determine how many pounds of candle wax you will need to complete your project. You will also need dye to color the candles and fragrances if you wish to add that to your candles.

2036004579_cf6eed0fc8_t-4-soy-pillar-candles1USE QUALITY WICK!

Be sure to purchase quality wick to make pillar candles. Also, be aware that the wider the candle you will be making, the wider wick you will want. Or to make this easier, you may simply purchase a standard type of wick and braid three pieces together to make a thicker wick for wider candles. Many of the pillar candle molds have a wick holder built in. Simply slide a wick the diameter of the hole into it and eliminate the guess work. Be sure to dip the wick into the melted wax before attaching it to the candle mold.

Keeping the wick in place can be tricky. A good idea is to cut the wick several inches longer than you need. Then tie it to a pencil or skewer resting across the top of the candle mold. This will ensure the wick is centered as the candle begins the cooling process.

ADDING DYES AND SCENTS!

Once your candle wax is at the proper temperature, add in anything you want to be included in your candle, such as dye, scents, and additives. Immediately after, pour the hot wax into the pillar candle molds. Do not pour wax all the way to the top of the mold. You want to leave four or fives inches unfilled.

WHAT TO DO WHILE THE CANDLES ARE COOLING!

Generally you leave most candles you make to cool. However, pillar candles need some further assistance during the cooling process. Once the top of the wax has started to become solid, it is necessary to add small relief holes to help with shrinkage. If you don’t create the relief holes, your candles will get air pockets that keep them from hardening properly.

When the candles have completely cooled, you may then pour melted wax into the holes you created in the candle. Be sure the wax is about fifteen degrees hotter than what the wax was the first time you poured it. Allow the candle to completely cool down again. Your candles should slide out of the molds easily. If they don’t, put them in the refrigerator for half an hour. Your candles should be smooth and beautiful. Be sure to trim the wick and you are ready to burn your pillar candles.

Pillar candles are beautiful. The simple design fits well with the décor in any room of your home, and you can even paint them with dainty designs to enhance their beauty. These candles make excellent gifts and centerpieces. Pillar candles are easy to make, and the supplies are inexpensive. This makes pillar candle making an excellent project, hobby, or money making project. Pillar candles burn for hours, ensuring you will get hours of enjoyment from your endeavors.

Pillar Kit Pillar Kit

Includes a 6″H reusable professional metal mold, wicking, mold sealer, screw, wood dowel rod, 2 lbs of premium wax blocks, 9 oz of multicolor wax chunks, three colors of dye (Yellow, Red, and Blue), vanilla scent, professional thermometer, and detailed instructions on how to create three different styles of candles – solid color, an iced lacy effect, or a “chunk style” of half-hot wax and half-cold wax chunks.

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Make Column Candles

Monday, August 24th, 2009

Column candles are very similar to taper candles, except that they are wider and usually shorter. The top of column candles isn’t pointed like on a taper candle. Instead, it greatly resembles the top of a volcano. Column candles are very pretty and distinct. They have a classic look to them that is timeless. These candles have a ridge design rather than a smooth design add beauty and charm to any environment. Making your own column candles is very easy.

COLUMN CANDLES BURN FOR HOURS

Column candles burn for hours on end, making them a great investment of both your time and supplies to make them. On average, column candles burn for 35 hours. Column candles do not produce smoke or dripping, making them very popular. Some people experience frustration looking for holders to put their column candles in. They will fit all standard tea light holders and spiked base holders.

BASIC ITEMS NEEDED

You will need some basic items to start making column candles, including wax, molds, wick, color and fragrance. The fragrance is optional but definitely adds appeal to your column candles. To melt the wax properly, you will need a double boiler. You will want to make sure you use high quality paraffin wax to make your column candles. Bees wax looks beautiful, but does not hold up well with the structure of the column candle. Too much heat will cause a column candle made of bees wax to ooze all over, creating a mess as well as a candle that isn’t too pretty to look at.

MOLD PREPARATION

To ensure the design of your column candles is perfect, coat the inside of the molds with a special spray for them. You can also get the same results using a non-stick cooking spray. After you have melted the wax, dip the wick in it. You will want the wick to be several inches longer than the top of your mold. Insert the wick from the bottom of the mold. Hold it securely in the middle of the mold by tying the top of the wick to a pencil that lies across the top of the mold.

ADD COLOR AND FRAGRANCE

This is the point in the process where you will want to add any color or fragrance to the melted wax. As soon as you have mixed it together, pour the hot wax into the molds. If you allow the wax to start cooling before you pour it, the candles will have lumps in them. You can remove your finished candles from the molds as soon as they have completely cooled. Snip the excess wick to about ¼ inch of the top of the candle.

ADD YOUR OWN CREATIVE TOUCH

If you want to be more creative, you can add leaves or pressed flowers to the candles using a thin layer of decoupage medium onto the back of the object. Immediately press it onto the candle, holding it in place for a few seconds. To make ice crystal column candles, put crushed ice in the mold before adding the hot wax. For additional ideas, consider looking in a book. You will find some really neat column candle crafting ideas that are quite simple to imitate.

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LOVELY AS  CENTERPIECES  AND  GIFTS

Column candles are very unique in their look and appeal. You can make them without any difficulty. These candles make lovely centerpieces as well as personalized gifts. All the supplies needed to make column candles are readily available.


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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.
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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.

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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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This great website has great candle making supplies, along with free helps,  and supplies for soap making,  chocolate making,  leather working, incense making,  and plaster casting.   Check it out now by clicking this banner:

One Stop Candle

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