CandleMaking - Beginner Basics

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CandleMaking - Beginner Basics~~*Setting up*~~Setting up your work space properly will make a large difference in the final results of your candles. It's recommended that you work in the kitchen for ease and convenience. The following items are needed to prepare your work space: heating element, paper towels, pot holders and waxed paper.1) Cover any surface that you will be working on with waxed paper. This will protect your work space and allow spilled wax to be reused.2) Place additional sheets of waxed paper underneath candle molds and containers. Make certain that all items are within your reach.3) Never allow wax to drip onto heating element. It may ignite upon contact and could cause a fire.*~~Using Molds~~*Supplies Needed:Candle thermometerCraft scissorsDouble boilerEmpty soup canMetal pouring potMold: pillarMold releaseMold sealerMold-blend paraffin wax (1 lb)PencilPrimed wick: square-braided1) Prepare work space. 2) Melt wax in double boiler until it reaches 194-198 degrees. You can do steps 3 and 4 while the wax is melting.3) Cut appropriate sized wick to length.4) Prepare mold, using the following technique:a) Lightly coat inside of mold with mold releaseb) Thread wick through hold in bottom of moldc) Cover hold and secure end of wick on outside of mold with mold sealerto prevent any leaking that may occur when the wax is poured.d) Tie opposite end of wick around a pencil. Place pencil on top of rimof mold. Make certain that wick is centered and taut. If wick is not taut, tighten wick around pencil.5) Using pouring pot, pour melted wax into the mold until mold is 90% full.Allow wax to set. Make certain to set aside a small amount of that particular wax in empty soup can to top off the candle.6) As wax cools, an indentation will form around the wick. Top off candle,using the following technique:a) Remelt remaining wax and fill to the top of indentation, making certainthat wick is still centered. Try not to pour wax over the top, as thiswill set a line in the the candle. Allow the wax to set.b) Repour wax as needed for an even candle. Allow the wax to set.7) Remove candle from mold, using the following technique:a) Remove pencil. Remove mold sealer. Tip mold upside down. Candleshould slide out on its own. If it doesnt work, place mold with Candlein freezer for 5-10 minutes. Remove from freezer. Tip mold upsidedown. Candle should slide out on its own.8) Trim wick at top of candle to 1/4". Trim wick at bottom of candle flushwith the base.**~Basic Candle Making~**There are some excellent and easy-to-follow craft books available in libraries and stores on the subject, but here are some unusual ideas: First off, I seldom bother with strings of wicks, unless I need a thick one for extra large candles. I'm not sure if this is available where you live, but I buy packs of *el-cheapo* (grin) candles which cost next to nothing, because they have nothing added - no colour, no scent, - just purely functional. I break the wax off those and melt it in a pot, but keep the wicks for re-use. They're much easier to work with that way because they already have a wax coating and retain their stiffness. For colour, throw a piece of wax crayon into the melting pot. For scent some essential oil, but wait until the wax is slightly cooled, if possible. Nice, frothy-looking candles, esp for Christmas, are made by taking a plain white 'el cheapo' candles and securing them on a saucer/holder with a few drops of melted wax. Melt some wax chunks in a saucepan or clean tin . Remove from heat. Just as this starts setting, take a whisk/beater/hand mixer, and beat it till frothy. Now you need to work quickly so it doesn't get too hard. With a fork, apply mixture to prepared upright candle. Before it is completely set, you can sprinkle some glitter, herbs etc on for decoration. Another method I like to use makes imaginative "ghostly" looking, swirled candles. Here you incorporate movement into the making, which seems to freeze it into the work, like some sort of Baroque masterpiece. Secure an upright candle into a deep-ish saucer or holder. Melt some wax in pot with a bit of colouring. Take the whole works to a kitchen sink or bucket filled with cold water. Pour the melted wax into the deep-ish saucer and then plunge the works into the water. As you do so, keep your hand moving in circles (in a deosil pattern if you like). You may chant simultaneously, but that chant is likely to turn into a scream, as it requires a little practice to avoid the hot wax getting onto your fingers. Never mind, it soon blows over. These candles are very conducive to the imagination - it's easy to *see* all sorts of shapes in them. Here's another : use those strong cardboard food containers which have a waxy inner lining (we get dairy products in them ). Make a small hole in the bottom for wick, and close it up again (Prestik works), or clay or anything to stop wax pouring out. The top of the wick is turned around a pencil which rests across top of container. On each of four sides you can place pressed flowers, pictures, whatever you like, then pour wax and let it set. What also looks nice is crumpled up small pieces of tin/kitchen foil pushed into wax (but keep these towards the outer edges as they might start burning rather violently in centre). You can decorate candles by sticking anything onto them with a bit of melted wax. Any container which can stand the heat can be used, providing it is well greased. Baking utensils in star-shapes etc are nice. Sandwich 2 candles together with more wax. Heavy tin foil makes imaginative moulds. Form it into any shape you like, embed in a bucket of sand (to give stability) and pour wax in. Its also an idea to crumple it first, so that when you pull it off again later, little bits of the foil have become embedded in the outer layer of wax.*~*Cleaning Candle Molds*~*Molds should always be kept clean in order to provide the best results. Candle molds should be clean and free from old candle wax before using. Do not scrape or scratch inside of molds when cleaning them, it will mar future candles. Candle molds can be cleaned using the following three methods.Method 11) Fill sink with hot water and a small amount of liquid dish soap. Allow candle molds to soak for 15 minutes.2) Wash candle molds, being careful of any sharp edges. Dry molds thoroughly. Dry seamless candle molds upside down on a cookie sheet covered with paper towels.Method 21) Place candle molds on a cookie sheet covered with paper towels in a 200 degree oven for 7-8 minutes. The paper towel will absorb the melted wax.2) Wipe off any remaining wax from candle mold immediately.Method 31) Use cleaner designed for metal molds, following manufacturer's instructions.~*~Clean Up~*~Candle cleaning kits can be purchased to aid in removing stubborn stains and wax buildup from equipment and supplies. Following are a few mtethods to help in cleanup after candlemaking.1) Pour excess wax into an old pan lined with waxed paper. Never pour down the drain. It will cool and clog the drain. Unused wax can be melted and reused.2) Place supplies such as molds and metal spoons in boiling water until wax melts. Using tongs, remove items from water. Using paper towels, wipe items clean.3) Discard old metal soup and coffee cans, and other replaceable equipment.4) Place glass items in freezer. Wax will shrink and easily pop out.