The Art of Candle Making
Candle making is a therapeutic and fun activity that you can do on your own or with others. Candles can be made from a variety of techniques for beautiful and unique results. Candle making is great because you can put your own stamp on each one, no two candles ever come out exactly the same.
The process is simple, and the only thing that takes time is the cooling stage (which you don't have to be around for). Preparing the mold with a wick, heating up the wax, pouring, venting, repouring, and you have gorgeous candles. Here are some creative ways you can use this unusual art.
Small candles make great party or wedding favors. Have the candles match your color scheme, or use a shape to generate a theme.
Use cookie cutters to produce adorable shapes and varieties.
Create a romantic mood with dim lights and a room filled with your glowing candles.
The addition of certain essential oils such as jasmine, lavender or mandarin, have healing properties. Create your own aromatherapy session in the comfort of your home by combining these scents and oils with your wax. Place in the bathroom when taking a bath, or light a therapeutic candle while relaxing to your favorite tunes.
Embed photos of loved ones onto the surface of the candles for a gift that will be treasured.
Marbleized or draped layered candles are an elegant and unique addition to a dinner party. Aside from fabulous ambiance, your friends will be shocked that these stunning creations are the work of your own hand.
There are a few basic supplies that will follow you through the majority of your candle making projects.
Paraffin wax, the most essential item on your shopping list, is what the candles will be made of. To calculate how much wax you'll need for a project, fill your mold with water and weigh. Figure 3 oz. of wax for every 3.5 oz of water.
Dyes, scents and additives are not essential, but they certainly add the personality and flavor to candle making. Stearic acid will help to improve the burning ability of your candle, as well as limit the dripping, aid in shrinkage and enhance the colors. Vybar is another commonly used additive that gives your wax a creamier look, making more mystical candles.
Wick type will vary depending on the project size, but wicks are also necessary to make a proper burning candle.
Now some technical gadgets. You'll need a mold and sealer. Molds come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can really be used to create a huge array of interesting candles. The sealer is a putty-like substance that temporarily seals the small area around the wick hole at the bottom of the mold so no wax leaks out. Heavy-duty metal tape can also be used.
Some sort of means to melt the wax. This could be a double boiler, a temperature controlled system or a simple homemade one pot inside the other.
A thermometer that reaches this heat range (appx. 350 Fahrenheit). A candy thermometer is used often.
One of the easiest candle making projects that you can try is a chunk candle. Not only is it simple, but the end result is absolutely stunning. There are many fantastic sites on the web that can give you step-by-step instructions, supply guides and safety tips. Here is one that I found particularly helpful.
Use this fun and creative art form to release the little designer within. Create original and meaningful projects for or together with friends and loved ones, and candle making will quickly become your favorite pastime.