How to Make Wood Wick Candles

Have you ever heard of candles that had wood wicks? Sometime ago I saw QVC selling them. The wood wick simulates a crackling noise like you are burning logs in your fireplaced. I have never used them before but I found these instructions from Lone Star Candle Supply on How to Make Wood Wick Candles. If you are interested in creating other types of candles check out Lone Star Candles Step by Step Guides section on their website.

Start by gathering all the items that you will need. The candle making process will go much more smoothly if everything is readily accessible.

Balloon Candles

Are you looking for a different technique in candlemaking?  Then why not check out this tutorial that has step by step instructions on how to make this interesting balloon candle from About.com.  It would be great decorating for birthday party or any other celebration.

http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/candlemakinginstructions/ss/balooncandle.htm

Learn How to Make Your Own Candles

If you are interested in creating your own candles, I have found these instructional videos from Expert Village to help you. Hope these are useful. Go and have fun with your new craft!

History of Candle Making
http://www.expertvillage.com/video/2565_candle-making-history.htm

How to Make Scented Candles
http://www.expertvillage.com/video/2569_candle-making-scents.htm

Colors and Dyes Used in Candle Making
http://www.expertvillage.com/video/2570_candle-making-colors.htm

Wicks Used In Candle Making
http://www.expertvillage.com/video/2571_candle-making-wicks.htm

Using Molds In Candle Making
http://www.expertvillage.com/video/2572_candle-making-molds.htm

Safety Tips for Making Candles
http://www.expertvillage.com/video/2574_candle-making-safety-making.htm

Setting Up Your Workspace
http://www.expertvillage.com/video/2577_candle-making-work-space.htm

Keeping A Candle Making Journal
http://www.expertvillage.com/video/2573_candle-making-journal.htm

More Materials and Supplies
http://www.expertvillage.com/video/2567_candle-making-materials-part2.htm

Making Soy Candles
http://www.expertvillage.com/video/2579_candle-making-recipe-part1.htm

More Ways to Make Soy Candles
http://www.expertvillage.com/video/2581_candle-making-recipe-part3.htm

Additional Recipes for Soy Candles
http://www.expertvillage.com/video/2583_candle-making-recipe-part4.htm

Series: http://www.expertvillage.com/video-series/221_candle-making-video.htm

Candy Corn Candles Recipe

Materials

8 oz. gel candle medium
Small clean mason jar
½ cup candy corn (Plastic novelty eyeballs or wiggly eyes can also be used for a fun look)
Black and Orange Spool-o-ribbon

Instructions

1.Melt candle gel in a large microwaveable dish at 30 second intervals until completely melted.

2.Slowly pour melted wax into mold. Allow to set for 1 minute.

3.Push candy corn or eyeballs into candle using a chopstick or skewer.

4.Refill mold to fill in holes.

5.Tie Black and Orange ribbon around base of candle.



Source: http://www.pureandnaturalsoaps.com/recipe-candycorncandles.html

Cookie Cutter Candles

I found this project in Rosie O'Donnell's new book, Crafty U. So if you are looking for a new craft or something new to decorate your bathroom with, then here are the instructions:

Materials:

Cookie Cutters

Sheets of colored beeswax
Pillar candles of various sizes
Tacky Craft Glue

Sewing Pins or Map Pins (with balls at the ends)

Directions:

(1) Using cookie cutters, cut shapes of different colored beeswax from the sheets of beeswax.

(2) Apply shapes to candle using tacky glue. Secure shape with pins.

(3) Check for any drips during drying time.

(4) When completely dry, pull out pins.

Blogger Note: I tried this project. And I found that you need to use plenty of glue for the beeswax shapes to adhere of they will come off easily. I used Elmer's glue and I would recommend finding something that would be more tacky and that would not cause potential danger when burning the candle.

Source: Crafty U by Rosie O'Donnell. Page . Simon and Schuster. New York, New York. 2008.

Soy Candle Making

If you are interested in learning how to make your own soy candles, I found these video links to show you how. I hope these links will inspire you to take up a new craft. Have fun!

http://www.ehow.com/video_4436578_recipe-making-soy-candle.html

http://www.ehow.com/video_4436579_more-recipes-soy-candle-making.html

http://www.ehow.com/video_4436580_more-ways-soy-candle.html

http://www.ehow.com/video_4436581_additional-recipes-soy-candle-making.html

How to Make Ice Candles

Ice candles are fancy looking and may seem difficult to make, but according the author they are pretty easy to make.

If you would like to try to make ice candles, then I would recommend reading the article by eHow Hobbies, Games & Toys Editor - How to Make Ice Candles.

In order to make these candles, you will need to purchase paraffin wax.  I do not believe soy will work for this particular project.  Paraffin wax is a petroleum by product which contains oil. According to the author, the lower the melting temperature, the higher the oil content. You'll want low-melting-point wax for container candles such as this, because it will shrink less as it cools.

A really good tip that the author provides is if you try using different shaped ice cube you may create a whole different look.

Make Your Own Stenciled Candles

by Kelley R. Taylor for CreatingHomeDecor

Decorate your candles in a tone-on-tone design using simple stencils.

You'll Need:
Vanilla candles
Stencils
Stencil Adhesive
White craft paint
Candle Painting medium (we used DecoArt's)
Tools Needed:
Cotton balls
Rubbing alcohol
Sponge brush
Newsprint for protecting surfaces

Instructions:

(1) Spray stencil adhesive on wrong side of stencil; allow to dry till tacky.

(2) Clean candle by rubbing alcohol soaked cotton balls on candle surfaces; allow to dry.

(3) Mix paint with candle painting medium. Center stencil on candle and press till adhered firmly into place on candle surface. Dip sponge brush lightly into paint; remove excess paint by dabbing brush onto newsprint. Paint stencil openings; remove stencil carefully.

Source: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/stenciledcandle

Candle Making: How to Make Stacked Candles

By Ellen Russell

Melt and pour wax is not the only way to make candles at home; great looking stacked candles are fun and relatively easy to make. There is some melting involved in making traditional stacked candles, so use care when kids are involved. Stacked candles can be made with beeswax sheets as well, eliminating melting, which may be a better option for no stress candle crafting with children. For directions for each, read on.

Supplies:

Supplies for making stacked candles are available from any candle craft supplier. You will need wax, wax paper, pre-tabbed wicks and your choice of scent and color. Cookie cutters in any desired shape are needed, and a skewer or toothpick to make a hole in the candle. You will also need a pastry brush, vegetable oil and a cookie sheet to pour the wax onto; as scent oils can permeate some metals, plan to use this sheet only for craft purposes once you have used it for candle crafting.

Instructions:

To begin, melt candle wax according to the directions provided by the candle supply company. If no directions are available, consult a candle crafting book or check a supplier’s website, most sites include a link to directions. Following is an overview of this step.

Basically, wax needs to be chopped into small pieces and melted in a double boiler (smaller pan atop a larger bottom pan, filled with water). If you do not own a double boiler, don’t fret. A clean tin can set inside a pan of water works equally well, and makes clean up a snap as you can discard the wax coated can when you are finished. Heat until all the wax is melted, then add color and scent. Add scent last, and just before pouring so you do not cook your scent away.

Pour the melted wax mixture onto the cookie sheet until the candle wax is about ¼ inch deep. Let the wax set until almost (but not completely) hardened. When the cooled wax is no longer liquid, cut all the way through the wax with cookie cutters. Poke a hole through the center of each cutout. Remove the excess wax surrounding the cutouts, but leave the cutouts in place until completely hardened. Once the wax has set, remove the cutouts from the pan with a spatula.

To complete your candles, thread each cutout onto the pretabbed wick until you have reached the desired height for your candles. The design of your stacked candles is all up to you. Stack all of one color, or alternate colors and/or shapes for interest. Mix it up to make coordinating sets of stacked candles. Once stacked, your candles are done and ready to give as gifts or burn for your own pleasant home scenting.

The same basic method can be used to make stacked candles from sheets of beeswax. Beeswax sheets are available through many candle suppliers in a wide variety of colors, and require no heating. Beeswax has its own light, natural honey scent, a pleasing alternative home scent for those unable to tolerate the smell of heavy perfumes and florals. Most sheets of beeswax are manufactured with a honeycomb design imprinted on them, adding texture and visual interest to your beeswax projects.

To make stacked candles from beeswax, simply cut with cookie cutters and make a wick hole. If the beeswax sheet cracks, heat it with a hair dryer on the low setting for ten seconds. String as with stacked wax candles.The stacked candle cookie cutter method can also be used to make unique and decorative air fresheners. Cut as mentioned above and string on any decorative string, ribbon, or raffia. Hanging in a warm spot helps the wax to release the scent.

Stacked candles are a quick and easy way to make many candles for home scenting, decorating, and for giving as gifts. As melting is only part of the project, making stacked candles is a project all can enjoy, and a great way to make gifts with children for grandparents, neighbors, teachers and others. As always, use care and caution when crafting with hot wax products, and enjoy!


© Doityourself.com 2006

Source: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/stackedcandles

Ice Cream Cone Candles

Playing with the wax allows yoto learn new ways of working with it, gives you new ideals, and who knows, may lead to fame and fortune......ok, not so much, but definitely you will have some fun.

It's January and as we promised, here are the candle instructions for making ice cream candles. (You won't believe how much this will look like real ice-cream!).

Here are the tools you will need - an old ice cream scoop made out of metal, an old hand held mixer, pizza pans, a kitchen knife, white hard wax, a color block of your choice, like brown for fudge,red for strawberries, act., and mugs, or sundae dishes.

You might want to consider looking for long necked spoons, straws, or other soda fountain like decorations for your finished candle.

This outa get you started good. Since this is for the more advanced candle maker, I think most of you will have the rest of the ingredients. O, don't forget your favorite scent....vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, peaches and cream, or any other favorite scent that you have.

These are advanced candle making instructions for making an ice cream cone, float or sundae. You need to know a little something about melting wax, so if this is new to you, please see our wax melting instructions for beginners.

As for the rest of you....here we go.

Make sure you have every ready that you will need to use these instructions. What are you going to put your ice cream sundaes in? We have use vintage ice cream dishes in the past, but today we discovered these wonderful glasses in a waffle cone stem ware design. Lucky for us.

Don't forget your scent, wax, handheld mixer, paint scraper, knife, wicks, and color block.

First melt your wax, we like to start with five pounds of white wax. (Beginners - see the wax melting instructions)

Now add your two and one half ounces of scent to your roaster pan of melted wax. (The scent is by liquid weight).

Our roaster pan, as you can see, has been tipped on its side. This will aide in the preparation of the ice cream wax.

We only use liquid scent and each scent weighs different so you must weigh your scent. The reasons why are listed in the "About our Candle Scents and How to Use them" section.

Many of you have ask where I learned to make candles. I learned to started making candles when I first discovered this book - Candle Makers Companion. It is the best book I have ever read on making candles. For a beginner, it is a must in my opinion. I just loved it. I think you will too.

Take some of your wax in an old metal coffee pot and pour in the bottoms of your sundae dishes.

You will need to have a "base" for your ice cream scoop . This will hold the wick in your finished candle for one thing.. See how we have poured the wax about 1/4" from the top of the lowest point on the waffel cone? (see site - http://www.wicks-wax-scents.com/make-icecream-candles.html for pictures). You will need room for the drizzles to go.

Now place your wick in the bottom of the candle.

Normally we are doing a lot of a ice cream sundaes, then we would use the j50 astrolite wax for the bottom of the ice cream candle and the hard paraffin wax for the top. The reason is the j50 astrolite wax is made for containers and will not release. We don't want our ice cream sundaes to fall out! The one pour wax will hold the sundae in the cone.

However, we did not use the one pour wax in these instructions for the base of the candle, because we wanted to take the photos all at one time. If you are making your candles for resale on a large scale basis, I would suggest using a one pour base.

You will have to use your expertise and decide what you want to do about using the two different waxes.....also, it will make a difference in how many containers you are doing.

If doing a lot of containers, then we would diffentatly use the j 50 astrolite for the bottom of the candle.

After the wax has partially harden, in the bottom of the waffle cone, you can take the remaining wax and start making the ice cream scoops.

Add a parfait spoon to your cone, at this point and it will pretty much stay at the depth you desire. Remember you will be adding a couple of ice cream scoops later on and you will want the spoon handle to show. So plan ahead.

Making the actually ice cream scoop is the fun part of these candle making instructions.

Using your hand held mixer, mix the wax until it is white. Letting your wax cool before starting to mix will help.

You can not mess ice cream scoops up by letting your wax cool to much..........unless you let it get so cool that the mixer won't move it.

Use the scraper to push the wax back down in the pan, like when you are mixing cake batter and are using a spatchula to scrap the sides......ladies, you know.

Your wax is ready when your scrapper stands straight up and doesn't fall over.

As you whip the wax, you are adding air to the mixure. What that means is the ice cream scoop part of the candle will burn down very quickly....this is why you need the base of the candle to be solid. You can't make a whole candle of scoops!It would just burn way to fast.

Now take your ice cream scooper and make a scoop of ice cream.

..............This is a trial scoop, to see if it is ready..............

I like the scooped wax from the edges the best....it scoops great for me. Place the scoop on a pizza pan. Does it look like a real scoop of ice cream? Is it hard and firm? Does it give the appearance of all the nooks and crannies of real ice cream that has been scooped? If not, it needs to be whipped more and let it harden a smidge longer.

Finally the perfect scoop! See how it looks just like real ice cream? Just a little trial and error on your part.

Now this part is a little harder. Hold your wick straight up in one hand and place the scoop of ice cream around the wick.....if you don't like what you have done, the try again. You have time.

The fun never stops! Now we get to make the color for the drizzle on top the ice cream ....you may want to add some faux food cherries or strawberries too, we did.You could even add wax peaches or banana's. We have done both.

I have to say, they look fantastic when finished off this way.We have chosen to drizzle with chocolate and top with strawberries.

See the coffee can? We are adding brown color to the wax in the pan. We have filled the can up about half way full of white melted wax. We are just going to swish the color block in the wax, until we have the chocolate color we want.

Do the same for any color you want...red - strawberries, peach - peaches, blue blueberries....you see where we are going with this......

Now, let the chocolate wax cool down, until you can drizzle the wax on top of the cone and it sticks on the way down.

If your wax is too hot, it will just run off the candle.I like to use that trial ice cream scoop we placed on the pizza pan. You can watch the drizzles run down that trial scoop.....Here are our finished cones! We added some wax strawberries to make the cones look.

For full color photos of this project, go to http://www.wicks-wax-scents.com/make-icecream-candles.html.

Source: http://www.wicks-wax-scents.com/make-icecream-candles.html

Natural Paper-Wrapped Candles

Materials:

Paper Perfect by Deco Art

dried floral additives by Deco Art

pallet knife sponge

clear-plastic sheet protector

raffia

hot glue

large pillar candle

decorative-edge scissors

Directions:

1. Measure the circumference of the candle and add 1" to the measurement for the sheet protector (to compensate for shrinking and trimming). Thoroughly stir Paper Perfect medium before applying with a palette knife to the sheet protector; use a sponge for textured effects.

2. Sprinkle dried flower additives directly onto wet Paper Perfect and gently press in place with fingers.

3. Dry 12-24 hours, depending on thickness (remove excess water and accelerate drying time with a sponge patted over the surface and/or place in front of fan). The medium is acid-free and nontoxic; clean up, as needed, with soap and water.

4. When dry, peel the paper off the plastic. Use decorative scissors to trim the paper to the appropriate size to fit around the candle before gluing in place. Tie raffia around the paper to secure it to the candle.

Source: http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/cr_paper/article/0,2025,DIY_13771_5188193_03,00.html

Making Soy Candles

Still looking for a last minute Christmas gift idea? Why not make one? Here is a quick and painless way of making soy-candles and it only takes about 15 minutes.

But first, here are some facts about soy wax:

• It’s biodegradeable.
• It’s sustainable.
• It provides a longer burn without a soot buildup.
• You can clean it up with soap and water, eliminating the need for solvents.
• It’s made from 100% natural soybeans.

Materials needed:

Recycled glassware such as Mason jars, candy dishes, thrift-store cups, salsa and jam jars. (choose containers that are less than 4″ in diameter.)
1 package braided wick (size-appropriate for chosen chandle containers. Incorporate alternative fibers by using hemp wicks.)
Soda-can tab
Tape
Pencil or pen
Melting pot or old cooking pot that you’re no longer using for food
Soy wax flakes (can be found at any healthfood store)
Craft or candy thermometer (optional)
Cinnamon, peppermint or other essential oil
Biodegradeable cotton ribbon (optional)
Hot glue gun and glue

Instructions:

1. Cut a section of braided wick a few inches longer than the depth of your chosen glasswater container. Tie an end of the wick to a coda can tab. To stabilize the wick, add a dab of hot glue to the bottom of the tab, then affix tab to the bottom of the container. Wrap top of wick around a pencil or pen a few times and tape it down temporarily. Set aside. Repeat process for additional candles.

2. In a pot over medium heat, melt about 1 lb. of the soy flakes per 1-2 medium0sized candles. Stir continuously until the soy wax melts to about 155 degreeds. Once it’s completely liquedied, remove from the head and let cool for a few minutes, continuing to stir.

3. Once the temperature has dropped about 5 degrees, add 10-20 drops of essential oil of your liking and mix well. Soy wax is easy to work with so you can get by without using a thermometer.

4. Pour liquid wax into containers, leaving an inch or two of space at the top. Let dry overnight. The set soy candles wax should look smooth and creamy-white.

5. Remove tape and pencil from the wick. Leaving about 1″ of exposed wick, snip off excess.

6. If you’re giving these candles as gifts, add a ribbon and tie in a fancy bow. Use hot glue to hold the ribbon on the container in place.

Source: http://www.waxandbubbles.com/category/candle-crafts/

How to Make Decorative Candles with Beeswax Sheets

Are you looking for a different technique in candlemaking that is not as messy? Then why not try, beeswax sheets. Here are a few clips I found on You Tube (www.youtube.com):

How to Roll Wax Around a Wick
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6pfmF5Xllik

How to wrap layers of beeswax
http://youtube.com/watch?v=zpJgiqa1n9k

How to roll beeswax
http://youtube.com/watch?v=cWezDH5jpHg&feature=related

How to Cut Wax Shapes for Candles
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-weIeVcmzIw

Adding wax shapes
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lmaNeUtywfo

Adding sequins
http://youtube.com/watch?v=yrDH-Jw7BN8

Making the 2nd Flower for a Candle Vase
http://youtube.com/watch?v=mkum6_qxopc&feature=related

How to make beeswax birthday candles
http://youtube.com/watch?v=W3XZHSsKRr0

There are many other fun and interesting clips on various other crafts. If you are interested, go directly to You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/ and put the subject matter in the search bar. Have Fun!

Making Peppermint Scented Candles

Materials:
1/2 teaspoon peppermint essential oil
Wicks
Wick holder
1/2 pound beeswax
1/2 pound soy wax
Small paintbrush

Instructions:

1. In a double boiler, heat beeswax and soy wax until melted, about 180 degrees. Check temperature with a candy thermometer. Turn off the heat and add peppermint oil.

2. Cut 3 inches of wick; tie a knot at one end. Thread the loose end through a wick holder, and pull so the knot is secure under the holder.

3. Dip the wick and holder with wax until coated; this will stiffen and straighten the wick. Press the wick holder into the bottom of your candle holder to affix. Let the wick dry.

4. Pour the wax into the candle, and fill to the edge. Let the candle dry for about 4 hours.


Source: http://www.waxandbubbles.com/category/lip-balm/