Candle Making Techniques

You are currently browsing the archive for the Candle Making Techniques category.

How to Make Candles Using Gel Wax

October 23, 2009 in Candle Making Techniques | No comments

Gel wax candles are very easy and inexpensive to make. They burn slowly, and their transparency makes it appear as if their wicks were floating in their wax. Not only are they beautiful, but very easy to light. Gel candles can be made in a variety of containers. Although many prefer glass, any non-flammable container will work. To add uniqueness to gel candles, some makers choose fancy glasses, wine glasses, and vases. To add color and themes to candles, consider using embeds. This can be glitter, marbles, colorful rocks, sea shells, crystals, or anything that is both decorative and non-flammable.

You can make your own gel wax, or purchase it from a supplier. This article presumes you will purchase your gel wax.

The supplies you need to get started include gel wax, zinc wicks, fragrance oils if you desire, and dye to add color. Some people love the look of a clear gel candle and prefer not to use any dye. It is important that you only use zinc wicks for gel candles because cotton wicks absorb the gel, causing them not to light or burn well. You can purchase these supplies from a craft store or online.

You will need a hot glue gun to stick the wick to the bottom of the holder you plan to use. Hold firmly in place until the wick sticks. To make centering easier, mark the bottom of the holder with a red or black marker right in the center. The wick should then be placed on top of the mark. Leave the wick long enough to anchor it with a wick holder.

To melt the gel, cut it into small strips. For best results melt it in a double boiler at medium heat. The gel should be heated to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The gel won’t set properly if you don’t get it hot enough and it will lose the glossy color if you get the temperature too high.

If you desire to add color to your gel candles, add it in slowly. The colors show more vibrantly in gel candles so you will need a lot less than what you making wax candles. Stir the color into the melted wax slowly until you are happy with the color. If you plan to use embedded objects in the candle, it is suggested you keep the gel candle color very light. Next, add fragrance if you desire.

For best results, heat your container in the microwave for about one minute. This will eliminate those unsightly bubbles that can form on gel candles. Immediately after removing the holder from the microwave, start adding your embeds. You will want to dip them in the hot gel to get them to stick in the holder. You can arrange embeds any way you desire. For best results push them towards the edges of the holder so that they can easily be scene. You can create embed patterns or add them loosely.

It is important not to keep the gel very hot while completing the embed process. Once you have that done, pour the gel into the holder. If you allow the gel to cool before pouring it in the holder you will end up with clumps of gel throughout the candle. Once the gel has set, remove the wick anchor and trim.

TIP: If the candle should appear bumpy on top, use a hair dryer to melt the troubled area flat.

Making gel candles is easy, fun, and inexpensive. It is a great way to make beautiful candles for your own use, for gifts, or to sell.

Tags:

Container Candles

October 17, 2009 in Candle Making Techniques | No comments

A container candle is any candle poured into a container as a mold, and then intended to be burned in that container.  Soft wax that would not stand up on it’s own is often used for container candles.  A container candle prevents soft wax from dripping, making it ideal for use  in situations that require a long burning candle, such as religious rituals.

Tags:

How to Make Hand Dipped (Taper) Candles

September 18, 2009 in Candle Making Techniques | No comments

Taper candles add elegance 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 is called dipping. Dipping is probably the oldest method of candle making. Hand dipping takes some practice to get the hang of, but you will be a pro in no time. While you are practicing, you can melt that wax down again and again until you known the right way to form your taper candles. During practice, don’t add color or scent to keep the costs low.

You may need to purchase a dipping can from a craft store or online to make taper candles, depending on how long you want the finished candles to be. You will also need a place to hang the candles while they cool. A wooden drying rack (like you would use to dry clothes indoors) is ideal. It is recommended that you buy wicks specially designed for taper candles. To make the best quality taper candles, you will want to use a wax formula that is high in paraffin wax.

It is a good idea to establish a candle making prep routine. Cover counter and surfaces, get out all the equipment and supplies needed for the project, make sure your notebook is handy, and then get the wax chipped and ready for melting.

As always, to melt the wax properly, use a double boiler. One that is large enough to accommodate your dipping can is ideal. 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. Dipping candles are often made a pair at a time by using a double loop of wick. This speeds the process, but you WILL have to ensure the pair are held apart.

It is recommended that you tie a small weight (a metal washer will do fine) to the end of each wick.

Once you wax has melted to the proper temperature (temperatures will vary according to which wax formula you are using), you will want to add color or scent, if desired. Once color dyes and any fragrances are well incorporated, move the dipping can to a flat, dry surface. Leave your thermometer in the can so you can continue to monitor the temperature of the wax. If you are using a counter top, place a towel or cookie sheet under the dipping can. The process of dipping taper candles is easy, yet time consuming. Take a wick and dip it into the hot wax and hold it for about a minute so the wax can soak into the wick. After this first long dipping, all other dips should be 2-3 seconds. Note that you will only be getting the wick covered the first few dips.

You will get the best looking candles if you don’t try to rush the 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 off take the time to stop dipping and heat it again. You may also need to add more wax. Having another double boiler going with the exact same wax formula will save time.

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 dipping process going.

The number of times you will dip each candle depends on the width you want them. It generally takes between 30 and 40 dips. As the wax begins to cool after each dip, you can dip it again. As dipping is a time consuming process, make sure you check the water level in your double boiler for any wax you are heating or reheating. 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 your candles are the desired thickness, stop dipping.

If you want a smooth finish to your tapered candles, take the time to roll them. Rolling will remove lumps and blemishes. use a sheet of wax paper and roll your candles like they were pieces of dough for about 30 seconds. Then use a sharp knife to trim the wick and even out the bottom of the candle.
Making hand dipped taper candles is a great project. The process is not difficult once you get the process down. Paying attention to the temperature of the wax is crucial to success. If the wax is too hot, the candle will not grow and the surface will blister. If the temperature is too coll, the candle will be thick and lumpy.

The ideal taper will have good layer adhesion. This is why you want to track each step in your notebook: submersion time, time between dips, and wax temperature. Experiment with altering these steps until you arrive at the ideal formula for your finished product.

Tags:

Problems and Solutions for Candle Making

September 15, 2009 in Candle Making Techniques | No comments

Making candles can be great fun. It is very exciting to decide what type of candle to make and getting your supplies. However, some individuals quickly become disappointed and frustrated with the process and give up. There are some common problems that beginners experience with candle making. Most of them have quick and easy solutions. It is recommended that all beginners start with the basic candle making process. This gives you the opportunity to learn the basics, then you can move on to making the types of candles you really want to.

One secret to making great candles is to use quality products. In general, candle making supplies are inexpensive. If the wax you purchase is of poor quality, then it is never going to make quality candles. Heating the wax to the proper temperature is very important. The temperature will change depending on the type of candle you are making with it. If the wax isn’t hot enough it won’t form correctly. Likewise, wax that is too hot will lose luster and won’t be as sturdy once it cools. Make sure and use a high quality thermometer meant for candle making.

Have you every made a beautiful candle, but when you lit it the room filled with smoke rather than the fragrance of the candle? This problem has to do with your wick, it is too long. Simply cut them shorter for future candles. You can snip the tips of the candles you have already created and this should remedy the situation.

Cooling candles is an area of trouble for many beginners. Don’t rush the cooling process or you will damage the hardness of the candle. Forcing the candle to cool will also result in bubbles forming in the top and middle of the candle. While it won’t be a physical defect, the melting wax will go into these bubbles when you have the candle lit resulting in the wick going out. Candles should be allowed to cool in an area where they won’t be moved until completely cool. The area needs to be flat and out of direct sunlight. You will also want to make sure there aren’t any heating or cooling vents in the cooling area.
~*~
If you notice that your cooled candle isn’t as appealing as you’d like because the wax pulled away from the glass jar in some areas, try heating your jars in the microwave for a minute or two right before you fill them (you can also use a warm oven). This will help the wax adhere to it correctly with a very smooth look all the way around the jar.

It is important to remember that candle making involves some basic concepts. It will take a few tries to complete the steps properly, but give it some time. You will have to experiment to find the methods that work best in your work environment. It is suggested that you only make a few candles at a time to keep from wasting money on supplies while you are learning. Make sure the finished product doesn’t have any burning issues with the wick or bubbles. If it does, simply melt the wax again and try it once more. Once you have mastered the basics of candle making, you can experiment with different types of candles. The internet is a great place to find candle making tips as well as troubleshooting for your candle making problems.

Tags:

How to Make Chunk Candles

September 15, 2009 in Candle Making Techniques | No comments

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 basics of the candle making process.

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 choose to purchase pre-cut chunks at craft stores or online.

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 cooking 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 cookies 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 it 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.

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.

You 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 to together with the hot wax. Once the molds cool the chunk candles should slide out with ease.

Making chunk candles is really quite simple if you have the basic candle making concepts 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.

Tags:

How to Make Pillar Candles

September 15, 2009 in Candle Making Techniques | 1 comment

Pillar candles add a stylish touch of elegance to your home and even to your dinner table as part of a centerpiece. 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, as pillar candles come in many widths and heights. A pillar candle is a type of molded candle. Molded candles are made by pouring liquefied wax into a mold.

You can find molds in all sizes at most craft stores or online. Molds can be found make of silicon, aluminum, or plastic. For best results, choose 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. Many of the pillar candle molds have a built in wick holder, and this is a very nice feature. In addition, you will need a mold release spray suited for the type of mold you are using, as well as mold sealer.

To get started, decide on the size of candles you want to make and how many. Following is a basic candle recipe for a pillar candle 7 ” high and 2″ in diameter: 1 pound paraffin wax, 3 tablespoons stearin, and a cotton core wick.

Make sure you dip the wick into the melted wax before attaching it to the candle mold. This is called priming the wick. Submerge the wick into hot wax for 30 seconds. After 30 seconds, let the excess wax drip back into your melting pan. Let the wick cool for about a minute, then slowly run your fingers down the wick to release any air and straighten any kinks.

Keeping the wick in place can be tricky if your mold does not come with a built in wick holder. A good trick is to cut the wick several inches longer than you need. Then tie it to a pencil or skewer sitting across the top of the candle mold. This will ensure the wick is centered as the candle begins the cooling process. If necessary, use a small chuck of mold sealer to keep the wick stable.

Once your candle wax is at the proper temperature and you have incorporated any additives, immediately pour the hot wax into the pillar candle mold. The pour should be slow and steady. Titling the mold slightly will decrease agitation. Do not pour wax all the way to the top of the mold. You want to leave about one half inch unfilled. Then make sure the wax has remain firm and centered inside the mold.

TIP: Use a heavy spoon to tap sharply against the mold to release air holes. Make sure and check the wick has remained centered.

Once the top of the wax has started to become solid (about 30 minutes), you will need 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.

Once the candles have completely cooled, pour melted wax into the holes you created on the candle. Make sure the wax is the same temperature as the first time you poured. Do not over pour, or wax will seep down the sides of the candle, making it difficult to remove from the mold.

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.

You may need to check the bottom of the candle for evenness. If the bottom is not perfectly even, the candle will not burn properly. To correct this, level the base by standing the candle up in a warm flat pan. This will cause it to melt enough to create a flat surface.

Your candles should be smooth and beautiful. If they need some smoothing, a tried and true method is to polish the surface with pantyhose. Make sure to trim the wick and let it set for 24 hours before burning your pillar candles.

Tags:

Soy Wax Candles

September 15, 2009 in Candle Making Techniques | No comments

Soy candles are starting to emerge on the market because soy wax makes such marvelous candles Soy candles are made out of 100% natural soy wax without any additives. Candles made of soy wax will have a wonderful aroma without having any type of fragrance added.  Expert soy candle makers know how to mix the soy wax in several ways that give the natural scent a bit of a difference as well as make in fainter or more powerful.

Soy candles can be made with or without wicks.  Soy candles without wicks work with electric candle warmers. The candle sits on the warmer plate and the warmer is plugged into the wall. There is no flame to cause a fire.

Wickless soy candles are a great choice for dorm rooms, apartments, offices, and anywhere that there is a potential of a candle being left burning that can cause a fire. Many offices and dorm rooms have put a ban on burning candles for this reason, but they often do allow the wickless candles using the burners.

Most candle makers who have tried soy wax are very happy with the results. It has a wonder natural scent and the texture of the melted wax makes candles that are very glossy and smooth. It is not necessary to add additives to soy wax as you often have to with paraffin and beeswax. The additives for those types of wax are for hardness and gloss. Soy wax offers both on its own.

Soy wax is cheaper than other types of wax as well. If you want to make candles on a tight budget, this would be the way to go. You will save money on the wax and you won’t need to purchase additives or scents. If you are planning to make soy candles to sell, you can make a higher profit because your costs are lower.

Many people enjoy the scent of a burning candle, but find the smoke from them can be irritating. This is especially true of individuals who are on oxygen, have bronchitis, or even allergy sufferers. Since soy wax is all natural, there is no smoke or irritates in the air from it. This makes soy wax candles a great alternative for many who otherwise wouldn’t be able to enjoy using candles.

Tags:

Subscribe to feed

Powered by WordPress and Tarski