Candle Making 101

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Candle Making (Step-by-Step Crafts)

Complete Book of Candles and Candle Making

Decorative Flax Leaf Votive Candle Holders

Flaxes come in a variety of colours from greens to pink or reds.

For best results use narrow flax leaves for this project or alternatively use the narrow fleshy leaves of iris's, or spring bulbs such as daffodils (do not use dry grasses or leaves that lack moisture as you run the risk of them catching alight as the heat from the candle warms them).

Measure the flax for length against the side of the glass. Wrap a rubber band twice around the outside of the votive glass and insert the flax leaves under it using a dull knife to pull the rubber band away from the glass and make it easier. When all sides of the holder a covered with flax trim the top for an even appearance.

Next tie a length of raffia around the outside of the votive for a decorative finish. Before lighting your votive add a small amount of water to the holder to prevent the melted wax from sticking to the votive.

There are many creative ways candles can be used. Take time to experiment with different looks and find out what is best for your particular setting

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If you'd like to try your hand at candle making, set aside two hours one day next weekend, and start with an easy project, using your old candles to test the waters. If it's instant gratification you crave, you'll see the fruits of your labour in just a couple of hours with a minimum expenditure for supplies.

People often speak of candle making and soap making in the same sentence as if they are similar experiences. The process is not the same. If you have thought of making your own soap, try candle making first. The process may appear similar, but it's simpler and safer. When you make your own candles, you are simply melting wax, not conducting chemical experiments in your kitchen.

We'll give you a play-by-play preview of the process, but consider this an overview. Before you actually set up shop and play candle maker for the afternoon, download a proper set of step-by-step procedures from the Internet. You'll find hundreds of candle-making projects available online, but start by recycling your old candles just to get a feel for the process. In fact, in this overview, we'll describe the process of melting down your old candles and turning them into brand new votive candles.

If you enjoy the experience, which is similar to cooking, then you'll want to order more supplies before beginning your candle-making hobby in earnest. With a little practice, you can give unique, hand-made holiday gifts, and delight your friends with something that you personally created.

Safety First

Anytime you work around an open flame, you have all the ingredients for a potentially dangerous situation. Work carefully and mind your safety P's and Q's at all times. Candle making requires your undivided attention. Don't even think about multitasking while working with hot wax.

Materials and Preparation

Before you begin, you'll need to gather the following equipment:

• Old candles – anything that you would otherwise throw away
• Votive wicks, pre-tabbed
• Votive moulds (metal is best)
• Scissors
• Silicone spray for metal votive moulds
• Old saucepans to create a "double boiler"
• Candy thermometer
• Oven mitts

To minimize cleanup, cover your burners with aluminium foil and spread old rags or newspapers over a flat work area.

Prepare the Moulds

If you prepare your moulds in advance, you won't have to scramble at the last minute, and risk the possibility of your wax cooling before you can pour it.

Spray the inside of each mould with Silicone per the instructions on the can.

Place a pre-tabbed votive wick in the mould, and set aside.

Melt the Wax

This process requires your undivided attention.

Remove old wicks, labels, etc. At a bare minimum, clip the burnt part of the wick.

Melt the wax. If you're using old jar candles, you'll need to melt the wax in the jars separately.

Pour the Moulds

Allow the melted wax to cool to 160 to 180 degrees F.

Pour the wax into the prepared moulds.

Allow to cool and shrink.

Melt wax for the re-pour and allow it to cool to 180 degrees F.

Re-pour to top off the moulds.

Allow to cool.

Remove the candle from the votive holder.

The key to successful candle making is preparation and setup. If you have everything prepared and within easy reach, you'll have a smooth melt to pour process. If you haven't prepared in advance, the wax may cool faster than you can prepare your work area and moulds, costing you additional time.

That's all there is to creating brand new candles from your candle remnants. If you enjoy the process, you can progress to creating your own custom candles from scratch, giving them as gifts, or even starting a brand new career path.

About The Author. M J Plaster is a successful author who provides information on shopping online for www.candles-4-u.com/ in general. M J Plaster has been a commercial freelance writer for almost two decades, most recently specializing in home and garden, the low-carb lifestyle, investing, and anything that defines la dolce vita.

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