Like most people, we
wondered into candle making for various reasons: -
*
we were mean and couldn't afford new ones
* we didn't like the style/colour offered by the manufacturers
* we reckoned that if we could make it work we could retire on the profits (don't even think about it)
*
we had loads of bits of candles around that just looked untidy and wanted
to do something with them
*
the kids had a kit for Christmas and we wouldn't let them use it
You folks just pick the
most appropriate one that suits you !
We find it a most absorbing hobby, thinking of ways to use everyday objects to use as molds for that "different" shape.
Starting with the used candles, if you have a scout around you can find these hidden just about everywhere, if not, ask friends, they are usually dying to get rid of them and will be appreciate a gift of a new candle in exchange.
Now the fun starts.
You are going to need a small amount of basic equipment, which will have to be
dedicated to candle making. The main one being some sort of double saucepan (Bain
Marie being the techy term) to melt the wax. This will allow the wax to be
melted over a "bath" of hot water
"NEVER
MELT WAX DIRECTLY OVER A FLAME AS IT WILL GET REAL HOT REAL FAST THEN CATCH FIRE
AND TRASH YOU, YOUR KITCHEN AND YOUR HOUSE, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED, DON'T COME
BACK TO ME, SAVE IT FOR OPRAH"
You will then need
something to make a mold, this is the time to let your imagination run wild,
but, just remember, you have to get the candle out when it is cool so try to
find a simple shape. An ideal subject is a yogurt pot, it will usually have
sloping sides which will make it release easily and it is also quite pliable so
if it does become stuck, you can tease it away from the sides of your candle to
release it.
Now we come to the first
purchase. You have to track down some wick material and mold putty. You could
try all sorts of stuff which looks right such as string, plasticene, blue tack
etc, but nothing works as good as the real thing. There are various craft
suppliers both on the net and in the high street, which can supply this.
Now, we are ready to start.
Put some water in the
bottom saucepan of your melting pot and start it heating up, it needs to get to
about 60oC to melt the wax. While this is getting to temperature,
place in a quantity of your old candles into the smaller saucepan and place this
in the bigger saucepan containing the heated water to start them melting.
While this is going on,
prepare your mold by making a small hole in the base of the pot, (this will
be the top of the candle when finished) this can either be drilled or, more
likely, pierced (carefully) with a carpenters awl.
At this point, you need to
wait until the wax is melted. When it has, take a length of wick, which is
longer than the height of the pot by about 3 inches, and dip one end into the
melted wax, then remove and allow to cool.
While it is cooling, you
could take this opportunity to add some colour to your candle by adding a wax
crayon (I find the true wax crayons better than the "non toxic"
variety but they are getting hard to find) to the saucepan.
While this crayon is
melting, take the "dipped" end of the wick and push it through the
hole in the pot. Now, seal this to the pot with mold seal to prevent the wax
from running out. This wick now needs to be held straight when the wax is poured
in, to do this easily, wrap it around a pencil a few times and rest this on the
top of the pot.
At this point, the wax and
crayon should be melted; a quick stir will combine these into one solid colour.
Now, real careful, turn off the heat and pour the melted wax into the pot,
stopping short of filling it completely. This will now need to be left to cool,
preferably overnight.
When cooled, it should
literally "pop" out of the mold, but usually, a careful tap will do
it, but pulling slowly on the pencil used to support the wick, usually wins the
day. This end of the wick now needs trimming to allow the candle to sit square.
Congratulations, you have
now made your first of many candles !
We tend to fill old glass (must
be thick glass) jars and dishes now, these tend to make ideal table
decorations and the glass does increase the light output.
You do not have to drill holes in them, instead, you can use wick holders
to anchor the wick, tying the other end to a pencil to support it over the top
of the jar/dish. Then just fill up with wax.
This style works well with different colours in layers (I prefer
different shades of the same colour).