| The Basics of Making Candles |
From "DIY Crafts"
episode DIC-227 |
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Materials: Double boiler or large pot
Pouring pot or metal pan with head-resistant handle
Cooking thermometer
Candle mold or juice/milk carton
Mold sealer
Wick
Scissors
Straight pins
Dowel (or a pencil or pen)
Poking stick (or shish kabob stick)
Wax (make sure that both the melt point and flash point are listed w/wax info) -- the guest used vegi-soy wax
Color
Fragrance
Aluminum foil
Frying pan - For wicking your mold, you'll need the candle mold, mold sealer, wick, dowell/pencil and straight pins.
- Cut the wick about 3" longer than the length of the candle mold.
- Tie the dowel/pencil to the top of the wick (figure A).
- Slide the wick through the bottom of the candle mold, securing the wick tightly by pulling it taut and then slipping the straight pin through the extra wick coming through the bottom of the candle mold. The straight pin will keep the wick from sliding back through the bottom of the mold (figure B). Be sure to trim the excess wick.
- Begin to warm up the mold sealer by working it between your fingers, then stick the mold sealer onto the bottom of the mold, covering all of the wick and the straight pin (figure C). The wicking process is now complete.
- Fill the double boiler half way with water, put it on the stove and let it begin to boil.
Note: Always use a double boiler with wax. Never melt it with direct heat because it will combust. - Measure one pound of wax and place it into the pouring pot. After the water has started boiling in the double boiler, place the pouring pot into it.
- Put the thermometer into the melting wax.
Safety Tip: One pound of wax only takes a few minutes to melt so watch it carefully -- never leave hot wax unattended. The flash point is 230 degrees and the wax can reach this point rapidly! - Once the wax has melted and is between 175-185 degrees, remove the wax from the heat.
- Add the color and fragrance, stirring well with a poking or shish kabob stick. For a pound of wax, it's best to start with 2 to 4 drops of color, depending on the depth of color desired.
- Pour the wax into the already wicked candle mold to about 1/2" from the top of the mold, leaving a small amount to use later for topping off.
- Let stand for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- Take a poking stick and poke a few holes around the wick and along the inside area of the candle about half way down. Don't push hard into the candle, as it will crack. Poke into the same holes after about 1 more hour. If wet wax comes back up through the holes, wait 1 more hour and repeat.
- Re-heat the leftover wax and pour it into the holes you made (figure D). This will fill the holes and any air bubbles that may be present.
- Let the candle stand until it is completely cool and then remove the mold sealer from the bottom.
Safety Tip: Be very careful because a straight pin was placed into the wick earlier. - Remove the straight pin and tip the candle mold upside down and out comes a beautiful, handmade candle.
- Put some aluminum foil in a pan using low heat. Push a little bit on the wick that is protruding from the bottom of the candle to get it perfectly level. Melt a small amount of wax from the bottom of the candle into the frying pan. This will make the candle perfectly level for burning.
- Make sure to trim the wick before burning to 1/4".
Safety Tip: Never leave a burning candle unattended and always keep flammable materials away from an open flame. - To flatten the bottom of the candle, place some aluminum foil in a frying pan on the stove at low heat. Remove the dried candle from the mold, clip the dowel rod and straight pin from the bottom and gently spin the candle on the heated foil (figure E) for a few seconds until it's nice and flat, then
Note: For information on veggi-soy candles, please contact Jennie Brown (see guest information, below). Products: Available at Jenni Originals (see guest information).
RESOURCES :
Basic Steps to Candles
Author: Suzanne McNeil
The Complete Book of Candles: Creative Candle-Making, Candleholders and Decorative Design
Model: 0754802760
Author: Gloria Nicol
Candle Making Made Easy
Model: 0715309757
Author: Susan Penny, et al
The Candlelit Home: Decorating With Candles Year-Round
Model: 0810906082
Author: John Terrell Fry
(September, 2001)
Harry N. Abrams Inc.
New York, NY 10011
Phone: 212-206-7715
Fax: 201-896-8193
Email: sales@abramsbooks.com
The Candlemaker's Companion: A Complete Guide
Model: 088266994X
Author: Betty Oppenheimer
(August, 1997)
Storey Books / Storey Communications Inc.
Website: www.storey.com
GUESTS :
Jenni Brown
6700 West Chicago St.
Chandler, AZ 85226
Jenni Originals
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