Archive for the ‘Candle Making’ Category
People are always looking for new and interesting hobbies, and one of the best sources for inspiration is turning to the past. To that end, if you’re looking for something to pass the time on the weekends or to fill your nights, look into candle making. Making the most basic kinds of candles is surprisingly easy, and if you’re interested in the process, you can work your way into more complex forms of the practice.
Beginners, therefore, just need a hot plate, some wax, essential oils, dyes, wicks, and a mold. Simply melt the wax in a stainless steel container or old pot on a hot plate, and add the desired scent and color. Once the liquid wax is to your liking, pour it into a mold with a wick already fixed to the bottom. Let the wax entirely harden before attempting to remove the mold. The result will be basic pillar candles that are perfect for the dining room table or any household accent. Also, it’s a great way to utilize all those half burned candles lying around the house that you’d otherwise throw away.
Wow! A Hot Chocolate Soy Candle!
With the introduction of soy candle wax to the market, candle makers are excited. This wax has become a favorite as a candle-making medium. We love this product!
There are several reasons for the popularity of this product. Perhaps the first benefit of using soy wax is that it comes from a completely renewable resource. This wax is derived and processed from soybeans, which are grown yearly by farmers right here in the United States, as well as in other countries.
Another advantage of soy wax candles is that they burn more cleanly (with less soot) than paraffin wax candles, thus helping to keep our environment clean. They also burn more slowly, which means that our candles will last longer.
Not only is using soy candle wax to make our own candles the wise thing to do, but the process is a much more pleasing experience than using paraffin wax because clean-up is much simpler.
Soy Candle Supplies
Once you have decided to make your own soy candles, your first priority is to gather all the necessary soy candle supplies together to make your project run more smoothly. Whether you purchase your supplies online or in a craft store, you want to be sure to have everything on hand before starting.
It goes without saying that you will need to purchase soy wax, which is available in various sizes. Next, be sure that you have a glass measuring cup on hand to accurately measure your wax. You will want a wick (suitable for soy wax) and a wick tab unless you choose to use your candle on an electric candle-warming pad. Last of all you will need a wax thermometer and your desired fragrance oil.
As always, when working on any project that can be messy, you will want to protect your working surfaces with newspaper.
Yes, these delicious-looking treats are really candles!
Candles have such a predominant place in our lives. We use them for decorating, and we use them to create a special atmosphere.
Making candles has long been a popular craft. It is fun, and the results are very rewarding. Now that we have soy wax available, it is much easier to learn how to make soy candles.
We have listed in a previous post the necessary supplies needed to make these candles. The procedure for making them is much the same as making paraffin wax candles. Soy wax may be melted in a microwave or on your stove top in a double boiler. Once the wax is melted and removed from the heat, you may add the fragrance and the dye you’ve chosen. If you are pouring your wax into a glass container, it may be best to heat the glass jar first. Next insert the wick (if you are using one*) into the container, centering it as you would in a paraffin candle, and then carefully pour the wax into your container.
*If you prefer to use your candle on an electric candle warmer, a wick will not be needed.
Making your own candles is an extremely popular craft and hobby. In the past, candles have always been made with paraffin wax or beeswax. More recently, however, soy wax candles have emerged on the market as well.
Soy candles have advantages over paraffin or beeswax candles. Soy wax is much less expensive than other types of wax so if you want to make candles on a tight budget, this is the way to go. Soy candles can be made with or without wicks, depending on your preference. The ones with wicks are used just as any other candles are used. The ones without wicks work with electric candle warmers. As there is no flame, wickless soy candles are a great choice for any location.
Soy wax has a wonderful, natural scent. Therefore, you do not have to add fragrance to it. Also, soy candles tend to burn longer than other candles, giving you even more value for your money.
If you are a beginner who is looking for a simple way to learn the ins and outs of making candles, perhaps you should consider a candle making kit. Candle making kits are a great way to learn the basic steps and techniques to creating beautiful candles.
Besides the ease of use, initial investment will be minimal since all supplies needed to complete your candles are included in these kits. You will also avoid spending time looking for and gathering supplies, giving you more time to work on other projects.
Anyone who loves to make candles has probably made one with an empty cardboard milk carton, canning wax, ice chunks, and a piece of string (adding perhaps a crayon for color.) Likewise, most of us have more than likely formed a hollow place in a pile of sand, poured melted wax into the hole, and added a wick forming a sand candle.
However, if we want to make professional-looking candles, it is necessary to use the correct candle making supplies. Using the proper supplies and following simple directions, we can produce candles that we can be proud to display or sell.
Candles are an attractive addition to the decor of any home. They add beauty in addition to a wonderful aroma in the air.
Candles come in a vast variety of sizes, shapes, designs, colors, and scents. Perhaps that is why candle making at home has become such a popular hobby and craft. The fun of the candle making process, and the joy of seeing your own beautiful finished candles makes the process even more pleasurable.
I’ve been teaching art at the elementary school level for several years now, and it recently occurred to me that the old curriculum was growing stale. First I asked around for ideas from other teachers and classroom aides. They had a few inventive suggestions, but nothing that stood out as creative yet simple enough for a grade-schooler to handle. Obviously the project needed to be fun – the messier the better to get a kid enthused about it.
Then I found some instructions online for soy candle making. It was just the sort of idea I needed, and I knew just when to introduce the project. Each spring, after farmers around town plant their crops, they begin spreading manure over top. Needless to say, the odor isn’t exactly pleasant and it permeates the entire school. By making fragrant candles during that week, our class will be getting a temporary respite.