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Post by ~¤LilacSky¤~ on Mar 19, 2005 3:29:54 GMT -5
Hi guys, I have many hobby's and making candles is one of them, its alot of fun and its easy to do, also I find it more magickal than buying them, so here is a few recipes to make your own candles, enjoy!
Gather the following:
Paraffin wax, or scraps of left over candles.
Crayons (for color), or candle dye.
Candle figure.
A strand of candle wick.
Large bowl heat-proof.
Small pot heat-proof.
Wick tabs.
Funnel. (optional, but makes it easier)
Herbs, stones, and oils. (optional)
Wooden sthingy. (to stir the wax with)
Wax paper or foil. (to catch wax drippings)
Place wax inside small pot.
Place small pot in large bowl.
Fill pot with heat water until you reach half way up the outside of the can. You can do this also on a fire but it's more dangerous that way. After wax and color is completely melted, turn off the heat. Remember to stir your wax every so often.
Cut off a length of wick and attach it at the bottom of your candle figure with a wick tab.
Wrap the top of the wick around a pencil and support it on top of the container. Now is the time to add your herbs, stones, or oils if you desire. Be sure to place wax paper or foil under your work area before pouring your candles. Wax is not fun to scrape off of surfaces.
Pour the wax into the candle figure.
After you have poured as many candles as you want, let them sit for 4-6 hours before attempting to remove them from the candle figure. (If you are having trouble getting the candles out of the figures, they will settle easier by putting them into the freezer for approx. half an hour.
After removing the candles from the containers, wipe away the oily substance and let them sit for at least another 3-4 hours to dry.
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Post by ~¤LilacSky¤~ on Mar 19, 2005 3:40:22 GMT -5
another way of making candles-
Candlemaking is a very satisfying hobby. The shapes and colors that you can create are only limited by your imagination. Candle of your own creation can be made for a fraction of what they would sell for in the store. Please read on and above all have fun with the craft.
Materials and Equipment:
1. Paraffin Wax – This can be purchased at any craft supply store and comes in the form of granulated wax. It has a melting temperature of
130-145 degrees
2. Stearic Acid - Add 10% of this ingredient to the wax by volume (i.e. 10% stearic acid to 90% wax. The stearic acid helps the candles release from their molds by causing the wax to shrink as it cools. It also hardens the candle.
3. Color Dyes - Use these sparingly as they are very concentrated. The come in powder and disk form. Melt the stearic acid first and then add the dye to it a little at a time stirring gently until the dye is dissolved. Using this method you can blend colors for a desired shade. Finally add this mixture to the molten wax.
4. Wicks - Use the right size wick for the size candle you are making.
If the wick is to small, the candle will not burn very well. If the wick is too large; the candle will burn with a very smoky flame. Use a little judgment here.
5 Wick Holder – any ordinary pencil or dowel will fill this need.
6. Thermometer – A thermometer that is used for making candy will suit the purpose.
7. Double boiler – For melting wax/ mixing stearic acid and dyes.A double pot. The outside pot is filled with water and the inside pot nestles into it. This prevents direct contact with the heat source.
8. Molds - Ready made molds come in many different designs And can be purchased at any craftstore.Or use your imagination and find something around the house.
9. Spoons - You will need these to stir the wax. Use old metal spoons that are no longer being used .
10. Knife - You will need this to cut the dye if it is in disk form.
11. Lead weights - These are used to weight the bottom of the wick and keep it in the center of the mold. 1/2-ounce fishing line sinkers seem
to work the best are readily available at any sporting goods store.
Directions:
Fill the double boilers inner container with the wax and heat to 180 degrees. Remember the paraffin will begin to melt at 130 degrees. Wax should not be heated to a point where it is boiling. It could catch fire. If it does, you must smother it with a pot cover. Never extinguish this type of fire with water.
While the wax is melting, measure a section of wick the length of your mold. Tie the wick to the center of the pencil or dowel. To the opposite end of the wick attach a small weight. I prefer using the ½ ounce fishing line sinkers. They are inexpensive and attach easily to the wick. Suspend the wick in the center of the mold
In another pot dissolve the strearic acid. If you are adding color, then add this to the stearic acid. Again, Dissolve it DO NOT BOIL.
When both mixtures are dissolved and the temperature has reached 190 degrees (Remember the thermometer?), Then it is time to combine the mixtures into the pot with the paraffin. Stir and blend them together completely while maintaining the temperature at 190 degrees.
Finally, pour the contents of the pot into your mold. And let the mixture cool. As the wax cools it will contract and a small well will form around the wick. You will have to top this well off once or twice as the candle cools. Remove the candle from its mold only after it is cold to the touch.
It is that simple. As you become familiar with the materials and the process, your creativeness will discover new and more imaginative designs. But above all your candles have the distinction of being one of a kind.
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Post by ~¤LilacSky¤~ on Mar 19, 2005 3:43:06 GMT -5
Tea Lite candles-
Candles are a popular gift for any occasion and can be easily made yourself with few ingredients. Once you know the basic process for making candles, you can experiment with the containers to hold your candle.
One frugal option that makes a charming container is to use a recycled teacup and matching plate.
Thrift stores or second hand stores often have a wide variety of china for very reasonable prices.
You will want to select a pattern that has a matching saucer or plate and inspect the piece for any cracks, chips or breaks. Clean and dry the pieces of china to prepare them for the wax.
For this project you will need:
Paraffin Wax or Gel Wax
Double Boiler
Tea Cup & Saucer
Hot Glue Gun
Wick
Chop Stick or Pencil
USING GEL WAX
You can make your candle from beeswax or paraffin wax, a petroleum by-product. Gel candles are also charming in teacup containers as well and have a slightly different process in working with this product. Gel wax burns 4-6 times slower than paraffin wax and needs to be melted with direct heat.
You will also want to choose a wick one size larger than you would be choosing for paraffin candles. You would also need to hold the candle upside down when trimming the wick, so the left over wick does not get into the smooth wax surface.
USING PARAFFIN WAX
If you choose to use Paraffin wax to make your candle you will find it readily available with high oil content. Paraffin is also available with various melting points and is easy to work with.
Start by using a double boiler (or a fry daddy works well when heated slowly) and add cut up pieces of wax to speed up the melting process. To pour the wax into a permanent mold as we are in this craft, the temperature of the melted wax should be between 85 and 95 degrees C (180 and 200 F).
Because the teacup is a permanent container there is very little prep work required. While the wax is melting you can prepare the wick. Wicks come in different types and diameters. You can determine the size of wick needed by choosing one size higher for each 2 inches of your teacup diameter. This will ensure a long burning candle while reducing drip and the amount of smoke released from the candle. Wick is available at crafting and hobby stores and in most cases the number on the package correlates with the larger the wick diameter will be.
There are several types of wick to choose from as well. It is suggested that you avoid purchasing wick with a paper core, as they tend to smoke more than a metal core wick. Metal core wicks are those using zinc or lead and are most often found in votives, tea lights and are a viable option in our project as well. Other wick options include a flat braid and a square type of braid. The flat braid, used often in taper candles, has a nice decorative look but is not as sturdy as other choices and may not stand erect when burning.
The square type of wick is also a braid but is stronger and used in dipped candles and container candles, ideal for this craft. In, The Candle maker’s Companion by Betty Oppenheimer, page 15 she explains that "Square braid comes in various sizes with various numbering systems. A major wholesale supplier of wick in this country uses a numbering system ranging from 6/0 (extra small) to 1/0, then beginning with #1 through #10, which is the largest. The wicks with /0 after the number are regular braid, and the ones with the # symbol in front of the number are loosely woven, so they are fluffier and larger in diameter without actually being heavier."
After choosing a wick, measure the depth of your teacup and add about 3 inches. This should give you enough wicks to tie the end of it around a square chopstick, pencil or tongue depressor. Tying the wick with this method will allow you to center the wick in the middle of the candle while the wax is setting up.
When your teacup is ready and your wax is melted, you can add color chips and stir into the melted wax. (You can also use shredded crayon to color your wax) This is also the opportunity to add any scented oils you prefer. The scent should be added last so that it will not dissipate or be burned in the heat.
Your wax may shrink a little so I prefer to under fill, wait a few minutes till it begins to harden and refill again with hot wax. It will take your candle several hours to cool at room temperature. Don't forget to trim your wick short after the wax is cool.
When the wax is completely cool, use a hot glue gun to secure the teacup to the china saucer or plate. This will give your candle a steady base and complete the look of the teacup giving you a nastalgic gift or decorative and useful display!
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Post by ~¤LilacSky¤~ on Mar 19, 2005 3:44:41 GMT -5
Birch candles-
Birch bark candles aren't really made of birch bark, but when you're done with them, they will look like it! First you'll need a white candle, pillar or taper, and some white candle stubs to melt down. Boil some water in a saucepan and set a tin can, raised on a metal ring of some sort, in the hot water. Break up the candle stubs and remove the wick. Drop the wax chunks into the can and melt.
Let the wax cool somewhat and then mound it onto the candle randomly. Don't worry about dribbles and lines, these will all add to the reality. In fact, swish your spoon back and forth a couple time so lines of wax drizzle across your candle. What you are doing now is adding texture. The wax you mound up should somewhat resemble where branches have broken off. All of them should stick up toward the top of the candle. Let the candle cool and trim any excess wax.
Now for the painting. You will need acrylic craft paint in the following colors: black, dark brown, tan, off-white, and white. Paint the whole candle with a white base coat and let dry. Now for the details. Mix up some grey paint and use a little on a small brush to swish back and forth randomly across the candle in a side-to-side motion. Repeat with the tan and blend it a bit.
Paint the top of the candle tan and create a radiating wood grain with the dark brown. Paint a border of dark brown around the edge. Paint the knobs on the candle a mixture of dark brown and black over the white. The idea is create the look of a weathered piece of birch. Of course, if you can find a picture of a birch tree, you will have a bit of an advantage.
Paint the various lines black or dark brown to make the look of scarred bark and let all the paint dry. Touch up any areas that need help and you are ready to start burning your candle!
HINTS: Putting the candle in a candle holder works well for painting all the way around. Finish up the bottom once the rest is dry.
For taper candles, you can heat them slightly over a burner or flame and bend them just a little to create a more flawed appearance.
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Post by ~¤LilacSky¤~ on Mar 19, 2005 3:47:56 GMT -5
How to make decorative candles-
Here is an easy craft project that will duplicate those beautiful, yet expensive decorator candles that you see at the candle shops. The candles that have the pressed flowers poured into the wax., that sell for about twice or three times the price of a regular candle. Just follow these step by step instructions and you can make these yourself for a fraction of the cost.
Here is a list of the items you will need:
fresh, dried or silk flowers, leaves and ferns (silks can be purchased cheaply at discount stores or gather your own flowers and greens from your garden or from along the roadside)
3-inch diameter dripless pillar candles- be sure to color coordinate your candles and floral’s. Look at discount stores or sale tables to purchase these candles inexpensively. Dripless candles burn on the inside, leaving the outside intact.
1-inch foam brush- these disposable brushes can be purchased at craft or department stores and also at hardware stores, look either in the craft or paint section.
Mod Podge- or any other type of decoupage glue. This also can be purchased at any craft or department store that has a craft department.
Select the flowers and leaves that you would like to use to decorate your candle. Flat materials work best so you may need to “press” your flowers and greenery. The best way to press fresh flowers is to pick them in the morning, after the dew is off. And place them under a heavy item, such as a book, or you can use a flower press. Let them sit until the next morning. They do not need to be dried, just flat. If using silk flowers, remove them from the stem, you may need to remove a bit of the plastic remaining on the back of the flower or leaf with scissors. These may also need “pressed” overnight to flatten them.
To decorate the candles, work on one side of the candle at a time. Using your foam brush, brush on a nice thick layer of the Mod Podge, covering the area that you plan to decorate. Next start pressing your flowers and greenery into the Mod Podge on the candle. Keep moving around your candle, adding more of the Mod Podge and flowers, until the entire area that you wish to decorate is covered.
Now after your flowers and greenery are all in place. Gently with your foam brush dab another coat of Mod Podge over the entire area, making sure all the flowers and greenery are covered. Let dry completely.
Here are several decorating suggestions; try pansies or violas on a pastel colored candle for Easter. Brightly colored autumn leaves on a cream colored or green candle for fall decorating. Small silk poinsettias will nicely accent a candle for Christmas. Also try a “vine” type flower and gently spiral it around your candle.
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Post by ~¤LilacSky¤~ on Mar 19, 2005 3:51:41 GMT -5
Potpourri candles-
For each potpourri candle you wish to make, you will need:
one empty 12-oz. cardboard frozen juice can with the bottom lid still attached
some colorful, chunky-style potpourri (the finely textured stuff doesn't work as well)
one white taper candle about 6 inches high and 1 inch in diameter (emergency candles work well)
clear parafin wax (craft stores sell candlemaking wax, but the wax used for canning works fine, too)
a double boiler or slow cooker to melt the wax in
Cut the parafin wax into 1 to 2-inch cubes and melt it in the double boiler or slow cooker according to the manufacturer's directions on the package. Next, stand taper candle inside the juice can. If the taper candle is taller than the can, take it out again and trim some wax off the bottom until it's the same height as the can. Center the taper inside the can, then fill the can halfway with potpourri so that the potpourri holds the taper candle upright and in place. Using a glass or metal measuring cup, carefully take a scoop of the melted wax and pour it into the juice can. Continue filling the juice can with melted wax to 1/8th-inch below the can's rim, then gently tap the side of the can a few times to get rid of any air bubbles in the melted wax. Let the wax cool and harden for 30 minutes. Wax shrinks as it cools, so you'll want to "top off" your candle with a bit more melted wax. When the wax is fully cooled and hardened, use sharp scissors to snip the rim of the juice can at its seam. Peel away the cardboard and remove the candle from its mold.
Try some creative variations of this simple recipe. Color your wax to match or compliment the color of your potpourri. Scent your wax with candle fragrance that enhances the fragrance of your potpourri. Try making some candles using other materials in place of the potpourri, such as crayon shavings, seashells, dried rosebuds, acorns, leaves, bits of evergreen with tiny pinecones or little polished stones.
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Post by ~¤LilacSky¤~ on Mar 19, 2005 3:55:00 GMT -5
Canning Jar Candles-
To start all you need are some narrow-mouth canning jars, wire ribbon, potpourri, votive candles, small glass votive candle holders, and craft glue or a hot glue gun.
If you don't have any old canning jars, you can find some very inexpensive ones at thrift stores and yard sales.
Wire ribbon can be a little expensive. Look for it at yard sales and at craft store clearance sales. The after-Christmas sales a great time to stock up.
One roll of ribbon will make several canning jar candles.
You can make potpourri yourself or buy it on sale.
Votive candles are inexpensive at stores like Target or Walmart, and you can also find glass votive candle holders very inexpensively at Walmart.
You want one that will set in the rim of the canning jar.
You can fill the canning jar with whatever you wish. Potpourri is one of the easiest fillers.
I bought a nice autumn-scented potpourri and added some orange slices I'd dried in my food dehydrator. You can also add dried cranberries, apple slices, or cinnamon sticks.
After you fill the jar, set the candle holder inside the mouth of the jar. The top of the candle holder should be even with the top of the jar.
You might have a little trial and error before you find just the right candle holder.
Place the candle in the holder and then use the ribbon to tie a big bow around the neck of the jar.
That's it! (You might want to use a little craft glue or your glue gun to tack the ribbon in place).
You can glue some dried fruit, flowers, or other decorations on the bow for a more decorative look.
You can also put other things in the jar besides potpourri. I've seen one half filled with white sugar with a short white taper candle set down in the sugar.
Very pretty! And that one doesn't require the candle holder.
At Christmas you can purchase small ornaments and place them in the jar instead of the potpourri.
Any small figurine would do--in the spring you could use little bunnies.
Maybe fill a jar with marbles or layers of colored sand.
Even pennies!
Use your imagination. These candles make great gifts and are also fun to make for yourself.
If you get tired of one just empty it out and start again!
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Post by section8 on Apr 28, 2005 21:05:22 GMT -5
Iv'e heard you can make your own wicks also. All wicks are made of is paper covered in wax and twisted. The wax coating is so it doesn't burn to quickly. Of course you might find better quality in store bought wicks...but I guess this would be some type of alternative.
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Post by ~¤LilacSky¤~ on Apr 29, 2005 7:02:52 GMT -5
yeah Section, I know you can do that too, I think that might be a bit of a pain, lol I don't know, I tried making my own candles and the first time didn't go so well, they turned out crappy, so I plan on trying again soon.. I love to do things like this, and I also make my own soap, which is fun too!
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Rain
Seeker
On holiday by mistake
Posts: 3
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Post by Rain on Apr 30, 2005 5:57:51 GMT -5
I'm making candles at the moment too. I bought a lot of baking cutters in different shapes and i'm cutting them out and putting them around the outsides of the mould before filling the rest of it in with a different colour. I still have to finish them off as i'm maiking them in stages and haven't got round to the final part.
I also make a lot by decorating glass jars with glass paint and lead and then just pouring the wax straight into them. They look very pretty when they burn.
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Post by ~¤LilacSky¤~ on Apr 30, 2005 6:56:43 GMT -5
cool Rain, so what do you decorate the jars with? sounds fun, yeah I am working on getting my candles going..so hopefuly they turn out..
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Post by section8 on May 2, 2005 20:15:04 GMT -5
yeah Section, I know you can do that too, I think that might be a bit of a pain, lol I don't know, I tried making my own candles and the first time didn't go so well, they turned out crappy, so I plan on trying again soon.. I love to do things like this, and I also make my own soap, which is fun too! Ack...Im running out of crayons How do you make soap?
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Post by ~¤LilacSky¤~ on May 2, 2005 20:43:13 GMT -5
hi Section, the easiest way to make soap is to get natural bar soap, and cut into four sections and heat the soap up on the stove, and add a bit of water to it, I let it sit a bit, and add essential oils and scents,and even herbs, like cinnamon..than I let that melt togher, and I put them in the molds and stick them in the frezzer for an hour, I take them out and let them dry for a few days, its the fastest way I think, and you don't have to go through that much trouble doing it ;D
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Post by section8 on May 6, 2005 19:12:35 GMT -5
Hmm....that sounds like lots of fun! I think i'll make some soap! Just need to get the natural bar soap.
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Post by ~¤LilacSky¤~ on May 6, 2005 19:17:01 GMT -5
you can get any soap that doesn't have many chemicals in it ya know, even if you wanted use a beauty bar, and just add your own oils or scents, you can even add perfume to them..
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Post by section8 on May 10, 2005 20:09:33 GMT -5
you can get any soap that doesn't have many chemicals in it ya know, even if you wanted use a beauty bar, and just add your own oils or scents, you can even add perfume to them.. OO Ok Cool. I'll give that a try sometime. ;D
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Post by ~¤LilacSky¤~ on May 10, 2005 20:20:09 GMT -5
cool!! gool luck with it and let me know how it go's, you can use your own molds of course too, you could even use anything that is solid and has a unique shape in your house, I use a few candle holders to make some molds with, and they worked out well..so its rather easy and it costs next to nothing to make!! ;D
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