Candle making does not have to cost you a fortune-Candle making tips.
Ok, let's get started.
First find old candles, either at home or from friends that are about to throw their old candles in the bin.
Now we have some old candles to make candles that become new!
We need a pot to melt the wax or old candles in. No problem.
You can do this in your own kitchen on your stove.
What we need is two containers-one a bigger one to boil water in, the other to sit inside.
We now have a safe way to melt wax-Another tip, I put a few marbles underneath the second pot so I know if water is running out as the marbles rattle when water is low. Always melt wax safely.
Now for the exciting part.Get your old candles and put them in your pot-remember be careful of all your color candles you are putting in, as you can get a mud color-lets work with only two to start with.
Yes you can get a thermometer to make sure nothing catches fire, but hey, just watch as your candles melt. I am sure you watch boiling oil if cooking fries. A thermometer is worth the small cost from a craft store.
Remember to watch larger old candles as they melt so that they do not fall out of your pot.So wax is now melted.
When you are melting candles watch the temperature if you do not have a thermometer the wax must not be smoking or spitting.Wax is ready for pouring at around 195f or 85c, wax if left to get to hot will combust-keep around the temperature just mentioned.
So now all we do is pick out the old wicks.
This is really cheap for new wicks-just buy some string-simple as it is.Now you need a slight heavier base to attach your wick to- Apply a coin and wick- wrap coin and wick with tape to hold this at the bottom of your mold
A mold can be a simple glass, but remember the base must be smaller than the top or you will not be able to remove your candle.
So with the wick to keep it straight-get a wooden skewer or pencil and roll your wick up so when you put pencil on top of mold the wick is taught and straight.
Pouring Wax
So we now have a mold with a wick wanting the wax.Just pour in the wax, being careful to remember this is hot wax, pour not completely to the top-let it cool -you will have to pour some more wax over the top because the candle will shrink and to cement wick in place and fill any holes you might get-so keep some wax on the boil.
Leave candle in mold until the next day- Forgot-another great tip is to spray inside your mold with a small amount of say olive oil spray, it will then be a lot easier getting your candle out of the mold.
Be alert- stay watching your old candles melt, never leave a hot boiling wax pot-Remember the marble trick.
So there you have a cheap candle produced by a old one. Always ask your friends for old candles and then blow their mind when you give them a gift of a new candle. They will never know it might have been theirs from the beginning. Great fun.
Jonathan Treby has been making oil paintings and candles for many years-Please visit his blog on candle making to learn more and get a free 10 day Email Mini-Course on candle Making Tips. candlelessons4u.com also Candle Ebook
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