Natural Wax
Candles
Candle making can be a fun project for you and
your family, as the chance for making a very individual
candle is present. Try making natural wax candles using beeswax
or soy wax, as these are healthier to burn, producing less soot
than paraffin wax candles. You can customize the container for
the candle too, whether it's a jar candle, or a tin candle, or
whether you use a clean milk carton to form a pillar candle,
removing the carton once the wax has fully set.
Go to Candle
Making for some more information on this.
Take a look at the article below for some more
information on making natural wax candles.
How To Make Candles
by Jennifer Hall
Making homemade candles can be a fun hobby, whether making them
as gifts or for yourself to enjoy. Candle making usually
requires some experimentation, but when you discover how to
make those perfect candles, its well worth the effort.
There are a few basic supplies needed for making most
candles:
-
wax
- wicks
- mold or containers
- wax melter
- candle making thermometer
- fragrances
- dyes
- putty for molds
First decide on a wax you would like to start with, there
are three different kinds to choose from: paraffin wax, soy
wax, and beeswax. Paraffin wax is most commonly used in
candles, this wax is found at most candle making stores. Soy
wax is all natural, made from soybeans, and cleans up easily
with soap and water. Beeswax is all natural too, and making
beeswax candles is often easiest because you simply wrap a
sheet of beeswax tightly around a wick then seal it with your
thumb, which means no melting is required.
To begin, spread newspapers around the candle making area.
First you melt your paraffin or soy wax and it must be
double-boiled. Usually you place a large pot that is about
half-filled with water on a burner over low-medium heat, place
a melter in the water, then gradually place wax pieces into the
melter. When the wax has melted, you can add coloring or
fragrance as desired.
| If you use pure essential oils
to provide the fragrance for your natural wax
candles, you will find that they create a
better mood than just the same scent. But
that's the fun about making your own, you can
experiment and see what works best for you and
your family. Site
Editor |
To make molded candles, cut the wick two inches taller than you
want the candle to be, then thread it through the hole at the
bottom of the mold, then plug the outside of the hole with
putty. Place a pencil or similar item over the top of the mold
and tie the top of the wick to it, centering the wick. If the
mold is cardboard, plastic, or glass, heat the wax to 130
degrees Fahrenheit. If the mold is metal, then heat the wax to
190 degrees. You can use a candle or candy thermometer to
measure this. When the right temperature is reached, lift the
melter by the handle and slowly pour the wax into the mold. Let
cool for twelve hours then refrigerate for twelve more hours,
then your candle is ready to be removed.
To make votives and other small container candles, you can use
pre-tabbed wicks by simply placing them in the center of the
votive candle molds or containers, then pour the wax mixture
over and let stand for twelve hours, refrigerating the
votives.
This should give you a good start in this enjoyable hobby.
|