Friday, December 28, 2007

A Guide to Making a Scented Candle

Scented candles are a million dollar market, and so you can make a quite lucrative business for yourself if you take the time to learn how to make candles and it is actually quite easy to do. A scented candle is a candle made with fragrant oils mixed into the wax, and which is used to release a pleasant and often relaxing aroma when lit.

Scented candles make for a nice touch all around the home, and can create an ambiance and sense of wellbeing and healthfulness. There are so many different options that you have when it comes to making a scented candle, namely the size and scent of the candle, and it makes for a great gift.

Scented candles come in many varieties but most are either tea candles or jar candles. A few of the most popular scents are apple pie, bayberry, cinnamon spice, ocean mist, vanilla, coconut, chocolate, and caramel, but the options are almost limitless.

Getting Started

If you are interested in making a scented candle, the first thing you are going to have to do is gather the necessary materials. You will need some wax firstly, and you will also need a pouring pot. You want to have a wax and candy thermometer ready, and candle wicking. You now want to choose a mold to shape the candle which you can find at any basic hobby store. Finally you will need the actual scent for the candle, and the scent comes in different forms including liquid scent and solid scent.

The next step involved in making a scented candle is to choose your design. If you are a beginner to the craft then the best idea is to select a design that has already been created whereas if you know a bit more about what you doing you can even create your very own design.

Candles can be in just about any shape and size you desire, from ball candles to long and skinny tapers. Now you want to find a heat source to use for making your candle, and remember that this heat source is almost definitely going to end up with wax on it so you want to use one that is going to be easy to clean.

Melt the appropriate amount of wax, then place the wax in the pouring pot, clip the thermometer on the side to keep track of the temperature, color the wax by adding the color to the liquid wax and stirring, and finally the most fun part of all – add the scent. You should have decided on a scent beforehand but you can really use whatever you like. Remember that if you are adding a liquid scent you want to add about one ounce for a strong scent and less for a more subtle aroma.

Making a scented candle above all else can be a lot of fun, and it is important that you make sure that you enjoy yourself in the process.

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Finding a Candle Making Painting and Supplies Company

If you are interested in the hobby of candle making then you are going to want to learn about where you can go for your candle making painting and other supplies. Although there are literally thousands of different candle making supply stores available around the world, there are a few that are really going to be worth your while in terms of quality and value.

Candle making can also be very lucrative if you find candle making painting and supplies stores that offer their products for affordable prices so that you do not have to pay out a lot for your supplies and therefore can make more back in profit.

Your Options

When it comes to candle making painting and supply companies there are a few in particular that are especially worthwhile. One is the Peak Candle Company, which offers a variety of products including fragrance oils, candle molds, candle dyes, waxes, wicks, containers, candle making accessories, additives, candle making starter kits, soap molds, and more.

Their selection of fragrance oils includes but is certainly not limited to: almond pastries, Amish harvest, apple blossom, apple jack and peel, Asian sandalwood, baby powder, banana nut bread, bayberry, Bartlett pear, sage and lemongrass, spring rain, stargazer lily, storm watch, strawberries and cream, strawberry kiwi, sugar cookie, sugar plum, sunflower, and sweet pea.

Another ideal option for candle making painting and supplies is the Wholesale Supplies Plus Company, which not only offer some of the highest quality candle making painting and other supplies around the world but because they purchase their products wholesale they are able to save money this way and can then pass those savings onto you.

Highlights to their line include melt and pour glycerin soap base, fixed oils, butters, colors, molds, fragrance and essential oils, and more. A few of the other candle making supplies they offer are metal tins, candle additives, candle dyes, fragrance oils, glass jars, packaging, potpourri, warning labels, wax, and wicks and tabs.

These are both great companies that you are going to want to seriously consider whenever you are looking for any type of candle making supplies, and they are definitely companies that you can attain a long term and serious relationship with. Just make sure that you set out a budget for yourself beforehand so that stick to purchasing only what you need to and not end up going overboard and spending more than you need.

Friday, December 21, 2007

Choosing the Right Candle Making Material

There are many different types of candle making material to choose from, and the only real way to determine which particular candle making material is going to work best for you is to determine what type of candles you are planning on making, how many, and so on. Each batch of candles is going to be different and so you may have to use a different material each time.

Resources

When it comes to actually finding candle making material, there are quite a few different companies out there that offer what you need. If you are looking for the most high quality and affordable candle making material however then there are a few of these companies in particular that you are going to want to check out.

The CandleWic Company for one, offers candle making material and other candle making supplies, and in particular this includes waxes, additives, wicks, scents, colors, molds, glassware, equipment, melt and pour bases, essential oils, natural additives, sop dyes, and more.

The Stacks of Wax Company is another that offers candle making material and related supplies, and their most popular products are paraffin wax which is the most commonly used wax in candle making, stearin which is a hard flaky white substance that is added to paraffin to make the candle burn better, hardener which is a synthetic wax that has a melting point of about 90 degrees, and plasticizer which is also a synthetic material that has a high melting point.

Remember that in making a candle, one type or combination of natural and synthetic materials can be used but usually paraffin wax is used because it is cheaper. It should really never be used alone however because its scent will end up mingling with the scent of the essential oils. You need to consider this and other important factors when choosing which candle making material to purchase and use, so that you can produce the best and most durable candles you can.

The candle making hobby is one that is quickly becoming incredibly popular and this is largely in part due to the simplicity of the activity itself. Anyone of any skill and experience level can participate in candle making and have success while enjoying themselves at the same time. It can also be a very lucrative professional area of expertise, especially if you choose cost-effective candle making material companies and save yourself as much money as possible on supplies.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Great Candle Making Ideas and Tips

When it comes to candle making, there are so many different and wonderful ideas and techniques that you can use that there is really no way it could ever get boring. This is perhaps one of the best features of the hobby of all, but before you begin any candle making you should be aware of the safety issues that are involved. Whether you are an adult or child you want to make sure that you take all of the necessary safety precautions so that you can enjoy yourself as much as possible here and prevent incident.

Safety First

When it comes to safety and candle making, the most important thing of all is to be prepared. Remember to never pour water on a candle wax fire because rather than putting it out this will only cause it to spread, similar to a grease fire. As well, if you are using your stove at home to make the candles, you should be sure to give it a good cleaning before you make your candles because if you do end up having a wax fire the last thing you need is any grease or other debris catching fire as well and aggravating the situation.

You should always wear protective clothing when making candles, and this includes oven gloves, a heavy apron, long pants, long sleeved shirt, shoes and socks.

The Basics

The activity of candle making is really quite simple there are just a few basics that you will need to be aware of. All you really need to do is melt the wax of your choice, making sure to use a thermometer the entire time so you can keep track of the temperature of the wax. You are going to want to weigh your wax before putting it in the meter and when you do this you will break up the wax with a hammer and then put the chunks onto the scale until you reach the appropriate amount.

Now for candle making all you have to do is wait until the wax has melted, then pour the wax into the mold that you have chosen, leaving the wick sticking out the top of course, and then just allow it to cool. The best idea is to leave it for a day or so, and this way you can be fully assured that the wax is going to be completely cooled before you try moving it.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

About Soy Wax For Candle Making

If you would like to use soy wax for candle making, you will soon find that it provides a lot of pleasure and it is a good ingredient that will be sure to teach you something new each time you use it. Of course, along the way you will learn of things that can be done better, some that are shortcuts while others are things are those that you should not do, and there is plenty more to soy wax for candle making which can vary including the temperature requirements as too different soy wax manufacturers, and you should also understand that not all soy wax that you will use is the same.

Keep Your Electronics Out Of The Way

Before you indulge in using soy wax for candle making, you must ensure that you remove all of your electronic equipment from the site where you are going to do the candle making since any kind of wax including soy wax is really quite dangerous for your expensive equipment and must not be found anywhere in the vicinity of your equipment.

Having ensured that you are not going to damage your expensive equipment while using soy wax for candle making, you will next need to decide on how much soy wax to use, which obviously depends on how many candles you wish to make. In any case, one pound of soy wax would melt and give you sixteen ounces of liquid wax; so, you can decide on the number of candles you wish to make from a pound of soy wax which in turn depends on the size of your jars.

Next, you need to calibrate the jar by pouring water into it and jotting down the ounces held which is useful in deciding how much soy wax for candle making you will need. Following this, you should start melting the wax and that too at the recommended temperature, and then let it cool to a specified temperature after which you can add any fragrance that you wish to have.

Stir the mixture quite a few times and especially take care to stir it well prior to pouring the candles which should be done as the wax begins to cool to the suggested temperature for pouring, or when it begins to change in consistency. After that, you may want to layer and even marble your candles; though, remember to wait for a quarter of an hour before starting on the next layer. And, to make your soy wax candles more appealing, you can choose to label or add ribbons, stickers and even charms to the containers, which will add some excitement to the finished product that you have just made with the help of soy wax for candle making.

There no doubts that soy wax is different and thus you need to check the recommended temperatures for different soy wax for candle making, and so follow the recommendations of the
manufacturer before starting your candle making while using soy wax.

Using The Right Candle Making Instructions

There are a few elements that are a part of most candle making instructions and these components include preparing the candle material so that it will be in a usually liquid state for embedding the wick and then waiting for the liquid to set so that the candle can be handled. It is possible to find a variety of candle making instructions for any type of technique or type of supplies that are used for different candle making projects.

Simple To Complex Candle Making Projects

Depending on what sort of recipe you will be using or the technique involved in your project, your instructions could become much more complex than that. For instance, if you wanted to make a dipped candle, you would suspend the wick, then dip the wick in a liquid wax, take it out, and let it harden and then repeat the process until your candle is the width that you require and that is suitable for the wick that you are dipping.

Another type of candle making instruction that you can use in your projects are the molded candles. For this type of candle, you will pour the liquid candle wax into a mold in which your wick has been centered and when the mold is filled with liquid wax then you can cut your wick to the right length. You can use candle molds that will give you a two dimensional candle such as a sphere or you can use a simpler mold that offers a design on or a form to a candle that you can lift out of the mold.

You can also find candle making instructions that will teach you how to make candles using wax beads, which can be placed into a pretty glass container for a more subtle candle effect. This form of wax is one of the easiest to use because you do not need to melt it since it is usable in its present bead size form. All you have to do is spoon the wax beads into a suitable glass vase in which a proper wick has been centered and the bead wax candle is ready to use.

Variety Of Techniques Used In Candle Making

You can find candle making instructions for practically any type of candle project. With the right wax, mold, color, scent, decorations and other embellishments, you can recreate your favorite candle and design your own personalized candle. Of course, you also need the right equipment and supplies, so when you find the right instructions for your desired candle, read the instructions thoroughly so that you will have your equipment and supplies ready to do the job right.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Candle Making Essential Oil: Adding Just A Few Drops Can Do A World Of Good For You

There is a lot of gratification that you can get from making candles and everything that you do including from preparing the mold to priming wicks, to the melting of wax and filling of molds can be a very smooth experience provided it is done in the proper manner. All that is required is to master the basics of candle making and from then on it is an adventure that allows you to experiment with color, form as well as scent.

More Than Pleasant Scents

Yes, candle making essential oil help in enhancing the homemade candles and are ideally suited to scent your candles though they have uses beyond those of simple pleasurable aromas. Actually, once essential oils that are extracted from different types of vegetation are used, they provide you with many of the benefits associated with different plants and, so candle making essential oil can help in providing more than a nice smell; they can even create physical changes in people that are exposed to these pleasant aromas.

In fact, you can use candle making essential oil that will help provide relief from pain, bring about a reduction in stress and help energize the being while also doing other beneficial things such as improving digestion and many other positive effects as well. So, adding candle making essential oil to your candles will provide you with natural and also rewarding benefits and the whole process is very simple to boot.

You need not do more than simply add a few drops of candle making essential oil to the candle and ensure that the candle is not already scented which would dilute the essential oil’s aroma. If you wish, you can even pierce an unscented candle and use a thick needle or even an ice pick for the purpose, and by holding the candle in an upright position you need to then remove the loose wax from the hole and then add candle making essential oil into the holes, and a few drops will do.

Using candle making essential oil on unscented candles allows you to experiment with different scents though you can also use just the scent that you desire and thus create your own favorite scented candles. Usually, all that is required is just to add a few drops of candle making essential oil and then you can sit back and light the candle which will then help to not only light up the room, but give a boost to your spirits as well.

Monday, December 17, 2007

Candle Making Equipment: Different Items For Different Types Of Candles

For those who aspire to making their own candles, there are a few options open to them including starting from scratch to make the candles, using wax crystals and finally, trying out the latest in candle making methods – gel candles. Whatever option you opt for, you would still need the proper candle making equipment, and so you should consider a few options in this regard as well.

Raw Paraffin Help Makes Better Quality Candles

It is a fact that the better quality candles are those that are made out of raw paraffin that is in it available in ten pound slabs and even in one pound slabs. To that, you need to add color as well as luster and some hardener and even scent, and then you can pour the mixture. The next item of candle making material that must be used is stearine that helps in hardening the paraffin and is available as powder - much like luster crystals.

If you want your candles to look shiny, you may need to use opaque crystals while the use of clear crystals would help give the finished candle more luminescence. After you get the look of the candle out of the way, you need to look at other candle making material, and that is the type of wick that you think will fit your candle, and there are sizes that vary from one inch, all the way up to six inches to choose from. And, you can add some braided wicks if you are thinking of making dipped/free standing candles, or if you want container candles, you can use wire core instead.

You also need wick anchors that are another item of candle making equipment that will secure your wick at the bottom of the container candle, and the wick can be inserted in the anchor’s center where there is a hole for the purpose, and to secure the wick, there are tabs that can be pressed down with the help of a screwdriver.

Mostly, the color of your raw paraffin is white, which means that in order to color your candles, you need to dye the candle and of course, you have many colors to choose from, and a dye cake has six squares to it, with each square being able to dye approximately five pounds of wax. You may also wish to create scented candles and these candle scents come in squares having six wafers and one wafer can scent five pounds of wax, and you can use as much scent as is required.

The other basic candle making equipment that you will need to create your candles are something in which the wax can be melted, and also specialized molds that are candle making equipment that are available in different shapes and sizes, and cylindrical, round and votive as well as floaters are good examples of these candle making equipment. Finally, you will also need candle making equipment in the form of containers for your candles that should be heat resistant and using metal or glass or ceramic would make for great candle containers. And, before you forget, you need candle making equipment such as a soft wooden strip as well as a pin which can secure the wick to the container’s or mold’s top.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Some Better Known Home Candle Making Kits

Some people are naturally gifted and can easily make things in their homes, and if you happen to be one such person, then there is good news for you in the form of home candle making kits. There are several different kinds that will suit different types of creative people, for grownups, and even those that are suited for the kids. In any case, they provide a good opportunity to let the creative juices flow, and with some perseverance, it is even possible to make candles of different types to suit different needs and occasions.

Gel Candle Making Kit

There are a number of useful home candle making kits available on the market and among them is one known as Gel Candle Making Kit, and since gel candles are the current rage this is one kit that is well worth considering. With this home candle making kit, it is possible for you to create your own candles made from gel that could even be made to look translucent, which are ideally suited for the home or even for gifting to people that are special for you.

Another option as far as home candle making kits is concerned is the one known as Beeswax Candles Kit, which is one among the many different beeswax kits available in the market. If you are especially in need of kits to make professional candles at home, you could select kits targeting adults, while there are also home candle making kits available for use by kids that can help to educate them about the ways to create their own candles.

Yet another option as far as home candle making kits are concerned is the one known as Marbled Candle Kit that is ideally suited if you want to create your own candles that have nifty marbled designs. All that you really need to do is to pour the wax once and then wait for it to cool until the finished product comes out looking like a wonderful marbled candle.

The list of home candle making kits are many and they are readily available from specialty stores and even the Internet offers a lot of variety; so, if you spend a little time browsing about, you will be sure to find something that will suit your needs and tastes as well as your personality. The point is that it does not require a whole lot of hard work to create your candles, and once you have bought a suitable home candle making kit, you can follow the instructions and create wonderful candles for the family and friends, and obviously, also for you.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Where to Find Fragrance Supplies for Candle Making

Candle making is not only fun and enjoyable but can be incredibly productive as well, as you can create beautiful candles for your friends and family to treasure forever. It does not require many supplies and does not take up a lot of time, and it definitely an activity that everyone should try out at least once.

Candle making is quickly becoming an incredibly popular hobby, and if you want to get started in it yourself then one of the first things you are going to have to do is supply yourself with the proper materials. There are quite a few different materials that you can choose from here, but namely this includes fragrance supplies for candle making, and there are a few different companies in particular that you will want to check out for this.

Where to Shop

If you are looking for fragrance supplies for candle making, one of the first places you will want to check out is the CandleChem Company, which carries a full and complete line of high quality and affordable candle making supplies. Their vast inventory includes everything that you need from candle wax and fragrance supplies for candle making, everything that you could possibly imagine.

Their selection of candle making fragrances includes but is certainly not limited to: allspice, almond cherry, almond cookie, amaretto coffee, amber musk, apple blossom, apple strudel, baby lotion, Canadian spice, cappuccino, carnation, celery, champagne, coconut banana, coffee, coffee cake, cookies and crème, cornflower, country berries, cranilla, crème brulee, daffodil, cypress, daisy, dark chocolate, cinnamon, clover, coconut, fruit cocktail, flower shoppe, fern, fig, black love, black pepper, and blackberry.

Another ideal option for purchasing fragrance supplies for candle making is Natures Garden, a company that offers wholesale candle and soap supplies. This includes fragrance oils, candle waxes, candle colorings, candle additives, candle molds, candlemaking equipment, soap molds, soap making kits and more.

All of their fragrances are 100% concentrated and can be used for paraffin, soy and other natural wax candles. All their fragrances are formulated by a master perfumist, so you know that you are getting the absolute best quality fragrance supplies for candle making possible.

It is important to be aware of all your options here, and there are these and many other
companies around the world that offer fragrance and other supplies for candle making. Browse through these options and learn the details on each so that you can properly determine the best option for you.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Are You Considering A Candle Making Business?

A candle making business is a type of business that could work as a home business. A candle business can be a small operation that could be run by one or two people depending on the demand for the candle product. If you think that running a candle making business at home is right for you, it is important that you develop a business plan before you start your business.
Business Plan For A Firm Foundation For Your Ideas

A business plan can be used as a guide for your candle making business as you start up the business and begin operating your business. As you develop a business plan, you will develop a strategy based on your strengths, opportunities, weaknesses and threats. A business plan will also have benchmarks so that you can reach your clearly marked goal and be ready for the next steps. A business plan will help you decide on which directions is right for you because it is based on the entire picture of your current situation.

A Constant Work In Progress

Your business plan will not be set in stone and you will probably find yourself changing the business plan as you run your business. It is a good idea to frequently take out your business plan and see how you are keeping up with your business plan. You can develop a business plan that will help you to strategize for future development and expansion.

Plan According To Your Needs

A business plan for your candle making business will allow you to develop an individual plan based on your finances, time and ability. You can concentrate on different parts of your business plan as you develop the fuller picture of your business. You may find it easier to go through some parts when you have completed other components of your business plan. If you have to go to a financial institution for a business loan, it is important to have a business plan that will clearly map out your business plan for any investors.

When you put time and effort into the creation of a business plan for your candle making business, you will have learned enough to take the right step when you start up your business. Your business plan will be a guide book to your business and will inform you of where you are and where you need and want to go with your business stratagem.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Important Candle Making Tips For Hot Wax Safety

When you are making candles, you should use these candle making tips for a safer candle making experience. Since most candle types require heat to bring the candle wax to a liquid and workable state, it is important that you practice hot wax safety tips when candle making.

Hot Wax Is Flammable

Wax can be easily heated to a flammable temperature and at this point, it can burst into flames. Check the manufacturer’s instructions that come with your candle wax for the correct temperature for melting your wax. You may find it necessary to have a back up thermometer on hand in case one of them breaks. Because wax can explode when the temperature is too high, another candle making safety tip is that you do not heat wax in a microwave because the wax heats internally first and it is not easy to take a correct temperature reading when using a microwave.

Handle With Care

You should not use water on a wax fire because the hot wax could burst. Use baking soda on a wax fire because this will safely smother the wax fire. You can also use a metal lid to smother a wax fire. If hot wax is on your skin, run the area under cold water to prevent the wax from sticking to the skin. Remove the wax and treat the burn.

No Children Or Pets Around

When heating wax, make sure that kids and pets cannot enter the area. Melting and heating wax should not be left unattended. A thermometer should also be used continuously in your hot wax so that you can be certain that your wax is kept at a safe temperature. You will need to use a metal or heatproof container with a spout and handle for handling your hot wax.

Store Wax Away From The Heat

Another important candle making tip is to keep wax away from heat sources and do not let wax drip onto a heat source. If you use metal molds with hot wax, the metal will heat up and you will need oven gloves to handle the mold. It is important to wear gloves and have heat pads on hand
in case of accidental spills.

Handling hot wax becomes a problem if you are not aware of any hot wax safety precautions and other important candle making tips. Treat your wax with respect and caution at all times and have a safety kit on hand for any accidents. If you treat your candle making projects with safety and caution, you will be able to enjoy making candles for many projects.

Friday, December 7, 2007

Scented Candle Making Is Popular

Making scented candles is a popular craft because of the variety of fragrances that are available to be used and blended. You can make scented candles that can fit into any environment and enhance each of the rooms in your home. Scented candles add a subtle element to your home décor.

Scent Families

If you want to make a scented candle, you have many options for your scent choice. There are different families of scents from which to choose and your scent form will also have to be considered. If you are using a liquid form of scenting agent for your scented candle making projects, you can use either a fragrance oil or an essential oil. The difference between the two oils is that an essential oil is only derived from natural sources such as plants, bark, roots and flowers while fragrance oils can be made from synthetic and toxic chemicals.

Candle Fragrances For Aromatherapy

You can choose scents that are based on aromatherapy such as revitalizing, soothing, healing and relaxing. You can also choose from scent families such as spicy, woodsy, floral, citrus, musky, sporty, food based and even unisex. There are many scent types and you probably have your favorite scent already. It is possible to blend different scent families together to create wonderful new scents.

Moods And Memories

You can make special scented candles that can be used for meditation, spiritual or magical practices and rituals. There are many herbs that have a long association with religious ceremonies and that can be used to scent candles for the creation of a special place and time. You can also use scents because of their nostalgic value. Scents are a powerful way to create moods and to evoke memories.

Scenting Agents For Candles

You can find scent supplies in different forms such as liquid, chips, powder, beads or flakes. It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions when using a wax scenting agent to avoid discoloration, staining or overheating. Avoid using too much of a fragrance when making scented candles because it can affect the candle's burning time and quality. Some fragrance agents also have temperatures at which they will burn away or become flammable if the wax is too hot.

Scented candle making can be an interesting experience as you learn more about the scents that fascinate the people around you. You can even discover the candle scents that make you feel better and brighten your mood as you learn about making scented candles.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Candle Making Kits For Different Projects

If you enjoy making candles but want only the smaller amount of ingredients that you need for your perfect project, you will enjoy the convenience that candle making kits offer for candle makers because you get just the right amount of supplies for your project. A candle making kit will provide you with the exact amount of ingredients that you need for a specific project. When you use candle making kits, it is possible to try out a variety of candle making techniques and supplies.

Convenience For Candle Making

This helps you out especially if you do not have gold foil or the right stamp on hand for one of those special candles that you have always wanted. This is useful if you like to create a variety of candle projects but do not want to keep all of the extra supplies. You can find kits to match your home décor or that come in your favorite scent. You can find candle making kits for all types of candles ranging from the strictly functional to artistic candles.

Learn New Techniques

There are candle making kits for all types of candle making techniques such as candles that are painted, sculpted, frosted, embedded, dipped, gel, bead wax, layered, molded and embellished with a variety of finishes. You can find candle making kits that will match your skill and experience level. Candle making kits are a great way to get started with candle making if you do not want to spend much money on the craft before you know whether it is the right craft for you.

Different Skill Levels

You can use a candle making kit to try out a new craft or as an experienced candle maker, who wants to try out a new technique or design. Candle making kits can save you the time of searching out the individual supplies necessary to the project and will provide you with the right amount of necessary supplies for the project.

With candle making kits, you will find much convenience in receiving the right amount of supplies that come with the package that eliminates measuring and in the ability that a candle making kit gives you for trying out new projects before you invest your money in a larger project of the same candle type. You can also use candle making kits for the creation of gifts to match the different personalities of your family and friends.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Using Candle Making Jars

You can easily save jars suitable for candle making that will create beautiful candle displays for your home decor for every day use or special occasions. You can use any type of jar that you have on hand to create a container candle. You will be able to create a rustic display of jar candles when you have a nice collection of several candle making jars in different sizes. If you recycle your own glass jars for candle making, you can make a cardboard insert in the top of the recycled jar lid so that the lid will fit tightly again. The lid helps to preserve the fragrance of scented candles.

Jelly Jars

You can use jelly jars for your container candles. You can find these types of jar candles filled with a gel wax to resemble the jelly that can usually be found in a jelly jar. A jelly jar can be simply decorated with an embellished label and jar lid and you can also add gingham and raffia to the lid for a country fair look.

Mason Jars

Another suitable jar for container candles is the Mason jar. Mason jars look nice filled with candle wax that has been colored to match the home interior or exterior. The Mason jar candles are great when they are scented with home style and woodsy scents that create an accent for the room in which the candle is placed.

Mayonnaise or Larger Jars

You can also use the large mayonnaise jar for a container candle. You can also consider the extra large glass food jars that can be recycled and used for a container candle with more than one wick. Large is not always the way to go so remember to collect baby food jars as well for your different candle making jar projects.

Variety Of Suitable Jars For Candle Making

You can find jars for candle making that will enhance and brighten your home. There are many types of glass jars that can be recycled for candle making projects so look around the next time you are in your grocery store for appropriate jars. You might find yourself adding new foods to your diet just to get the jar for your candle making projects.

If you do not have an available supply of glass jars from your home, it is possible to find suppliers of glass jars in different sizes for your candle making jar needs. Glass jars make beautiful container jars that can evoke an earlier and simpler period of time. Glass jars can also add a surprisingly modern look to your home as well.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

About Soy Candle Making

The Benefits of Soy Candle Making

Since 1992, when Michael Richards discovered a way to create wax from soybeans, soy wax has become a popular natural wax to use for soy candle making as an alternative wax to both paraffin wax and beeswax. If the paraffin wax is not a food grade paraffin wax then it may contain poisonous impurities or synthetic resins and the cost of beeswax can be prohibitive even though it offers a beautiful fragrance and is natural.

An Environmental Candle Choice

Soy candles are a favorite choice for consumers because soy candles have a longer burning time and they produce less soot than paraffin candles. Soy candles are also an environmentally friendly candle choice because soybeans are renewable and the soy candle smoke does not create toxic fumes

Easy Clean Up With Soy Wax

For the candle maker, it is easier with soy candle making because the soy wax actually cleans up with soap and water and you can safely wash your equipment without much of a mess. Paraffin wax and beeswax both can be hard to clean up when they have dripped onto a surface or fabric, which means that soy candle making is not as messy as candle making with either paraffin wax or beeswax. You can use soy wax in the same ways that you can use either paraffin wax or beeswax because soy wax is a versatile candle wax.

Coloring And Fragrance

You can find soy wax for candle making in either flake or block form. There are also fragrance oils and essential oils that can be used with soy wax. The dyes and coloring that can be used with soy wax may be in liquid, chip or block form and you will find that you need a wick with a larger diameter than what is needed with other types of wax for candle making. You can find essential oils and fragrance oils that are compatible for use with soy wax and that can be used for scenting your soy candles.

Soy candle making is a fun and easy craft that will bring out the artist in you as you make either functional or decorative candles. You can create soy candles for aromatherapy and for ambience in your décor at home or for special occasions. Soy candle making will provide you with natural and quality candles that are suitable for use in the home or as gifts for your family and friends.

Friday, November 30, 2007

Using The Right Candle Making Instructions

There are a few elements that are a part of most candle making instructions and these components include preparing the candle material so that it will be in a usually liquid state for embedding the wick and then waiting for the liquid to set so that the candle can be handled. It is possible to find a variety of candle making instructions for any type of technique or type of supplies that are used for different candle making projects.

Simple To Complex Candle Making Projects

Depending on what sort of recipe you will be using or the technique involved in your project, your instructions could become much more complex than that. For instance, if you wanted to make a dipped candle, you would suspend the wick, then dip the wick in a liquid wax, take it out, and let it harden and then repeat the process until your candle is the width that you require and that is suitable for the wick that you are dipping.

Another type of candle making instruction that you can use in your projects are the molded candles. For this type of candle, you will pour the liquid candle wax into a mold in which your wick has been centered and when the mold is filled with liquid wax then you can cut your wick to the right length. You can use candle molds that will give you a two dimensional candle such as a sphere or you can use a simpler mold that offers a design on or a form to a candle that you can lift out of the mold.

You can also find candle making instructions that will teach you how to make candles using wax beads, which can be placed into a pretty glass container for a more subtle candle effect. This form of wax is one of the easiest to use because you do not need to melt it since it is usable in its present bead size form. All you have to do is spoon the wax beads into a suitable glass vase in which a proper wick has been centered and the bead wax candle is ready to use.

Variety Of Techniques Used In Candle Making

You can find candle making instructions for practically any type of candle project. With the right wax, mold, color, scent, decorations and other embellishments, you can recreate your favorite candle and design your own personalized candle. Of course, you also need the right equipment and supplies, so when you find the right instructions for your desired candle, read the instructions thoroughly so that you will have your equipment and supplies ready to do the job right.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Try Different Candle Making Recipes

There are as many recipes for candle making, just as there are recipes for your favorite food dishes. You can get the exact fragrance, coloring or effects that you want based on the candle making recipe that you will use for your project. By using different recipes, you will be able to find the recipe that gives you the results that you want and you will be able to create your own candle making recipes once you understand and have mastered the basic steps of candle making.

Recipes For Different Wax Effects

There are recipes for making candles that are based on blending waxes and preparing wax for different effects such as floating candle wax or a frosting effect. Other effects that you can achieve with candle wax include marbling, embedded wax, glitter, gel, painted and a variety of other effects. You may want to blend waxes to lower costs or to get different effects from the wax such as a longer burn time or added fragrance.

Color In Different Forms

You can also find recipes for creating color that are compatible with your coloring materials whether the coloring agent is flaked, liquid or in block form. It takes so much of a coloring agent per pound of wax to get the desired color so once you understand how your coloring agents work according to their manufacturer’s instructions then you can then apply this knowledge to your own candle making recipes. You can also mix colors to get more color options.

Scented Candle Recipes

You will want to make use of fragrance oils and essential oils when they are used for scenting your candles. You can only use so much fragrance oil per candle before it affects the burning ability of the candle. Any other special instructions that come with the scenting agents will be easy to understand once you begin making your handcrafted candles. You can also use herbs and spices in your candles for scent.

There are candle recipes for creating scented candles for aromatherapy, home scents and for creating different atmospheres such as romantic, spiritual and healing. You can use fragrance oils and essential oils in ways that will enhance your living space and can contribute to your good mood. You can try already tested fragrance blends or you can create your own special recipe based on your favorite scents and needs.

You can find candle making recipes on the Internet and in books at craft stores or your local library. Some candle making recipes are traditional and have been in use for a long time and you can find modern recipes based on the new ingredients that are available for use in candle making.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Are You Considering A Candle Making Business?

A candle making business is a type of business that could work as a home business. A candle business can be a small operation that could be run by one or two people depending on the demand for the candle product. If you think that running a candle making business at home is right for you, it is important that you develop a business plan before you start your business.

Business Plan For A Firm Foundation For Your Ideas

A business plan can be used as a guide for your candle making business as you start up the business and begin operating your business. As you develop a business plan, you will develop a strategy based on your strengths, opportunities, weaknesses and threats. A business plan will also have benchmarks so that you can reach your clearly marked goal and be ready for the next steps. A business plan will help you decide on which directions is right for you because it is based on the entire picture of your current situation.

A Constant Work In Progress

Your business plan will not be set in stone and you will probably find yourself changing the business plan as you run your business. It is a good idea to frequently take out your business plan and see how you are keeping up with your business plan. You can develop a business plan that will help you to strategize for future development and expansion.

Plan According To Your Needs

A business plan for your candle making business will allow you to develop an individual plan based on your finances, time and ability. You can concentrate on different parts of your business plan as you develop the fuller picture of your business. You may find it easier to go through some parts when you have completed other components of your business plan. If you have to go to a financial institution for a business loan, it is important to have a business plan that will clearly map out your business plan for any investors.

When you put time and effort into the creation of a business plan for your candle making business, you will have learned enough to take the right step when you start up your business. Your business plan will be a guide book to your business and will inform you of where you are and where you need and want to go with your business stratagem.

Monday, November 26, 2007

You Can Take A Candle Making Course

If you are new to candle making, you may benefit from taking a candle making course. Unlike learning how to make candles on your own, a candle making course can present you with information about many different aspects of candle making at once without long hours of personal research. If you are serious about candle making, it can be easier and faster for you to learn about the craft in a candle making course.

There are many types of candle making courses and you can find a course that will guide you through candle making in history, candle types, wax types, wick types, equipment, supplies and even starting a candle making business. Many experienced candle makers are willing to share with you, in a candle making course, the knowledge that they have gained from years of experience.

Different Skill And Experience Level Courses

You can find a candle making course for your skill level whether you are a beginner or have intermediate or expert skills with candle making. If you are familiar with basic candle making, you can also find a candle making course that will teach you techniques that are suited to your more skilled level. Assess your skill and experience levels when you are considering which candle making course to take.

Materials, Supplies and Techniques

You can find candle making courses that focus on the use of beeswax in candles or you can find a general course that will compare the different waxes used in candle making so that you can decide on which wax you want to use for candle making. These types of classes can also inform you about the quality and amount of soot and smoke levels associated with the different candle waxes.

You can take a candle making course that will teach you a specific technique for creating different textures with candle wax. For instance, you can learn how to make dipped, poured, sculpted or gel candles. You can also be taught how to use scents or decorative effects in candle making. It is possible for you to learn how to make your own aromatherapy candles and candles for home décor.

You can find courses online or in your community through outlets such as the library, craft stores and from local candle makers. You can find personal classes designed just for you or you take classes with other students. It is possible to find a candle making course that suits your experience, skill level, needs and budget.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

You Can Enjoy Candle Making

Candle making is a craft that has pre-historical and worldwide roots and this craft grew out of the necessity for light when the evening has come. The candle is simply a burnable wick surrounded by a medium that allows for a longer burning time than if the wick were made to burn alone. Animal fat, also called tallow, was used at one time for candle type burning lights because tallow was widely available although in time beeswax came to be used in the manufacture of candles. The beeswax offered a much sweeter fragrance and less smoke than the tallow, which produced a heavy odor and black smoke.

Candle Making For The Whole Family

Candle making is an easy to do and relaxing craft that produces candles ranging from simple and functional to a customized and artist designed candle product. Most candle making techniques require heat to melt the wax to be poured into a mold or used as a dip for dipped candles. Two simple candle making techniques are the rolled beeswax candle and the bead wax candle technique. Neither technique requires heat during the making of the candle. You can find a candle making technique and project to match your skill level and budget.

Even a beginner can create candles that are suitable for gift giving or home decor. You will gain practice and familiarity with basic candle making techniques by trying simple projects at first. When you feel ready, you can move on to the project of your choice. It is important that you read any project directions thoroughly before you start the project so that you will be aware of the necessary supplies, tools and techniques that you will be using to complete the project.
Different Skill Levels For Candle making Projects

You can use different mediums for embedding the wick and this variety gives you a great potential for beautiful candles. Besides the rolled beeswax sheets and wax beads, you can also create molded, dipped, container and candles with embedded objects and the wax can be scented, colored, painted and embellished with different finishes. A variety of wax types can be used in candle making including paraffin, soy, vegetable and floral waxes.

As you master candle making skills, you will feel more confident taking on more complex projects and even designing your own customized works of candle art. You can feel proud giving and using candles for creating atmosphere, evoking moods and for spiritual purposes. Candles are useful for the different seasons and holidays and by making your own candles, you can join in a long tradition of candle making.