This post-instruction is for those who prefer really nice-smelling candles to the chemicals that are sold in our stores. Of course, there are manufacturers who add truly natural oils to their products, but these candles are very expensive. So if you have a desire to tinker a little and try your hand at making candles, have patience and, of course, free time, this post is just for you.
Ingredients
I will try to give you as brief and clear instructions for making scented candles as possible.
You will need:
- wax or paraffin (you can use old candles);
- essential oils of your choice;
- lace;
- scissors;
- small glass jars into which candles will be poured;
- heat-resistant dishes for melting wax;
— a special thermometer for measuring the temperature of molten wax (optional);
- thin wooden stick;
- tape measure or ruler;
— cutting board;
- nut for holding the cord.
Manufacturing
1. Wash and dry the containers into which you are going to pour candles. These can be small glass jars, tall glasses different shapes, ceramic or porcelain cups.
2. Cover work surface baking paper. Since the wax will be soft, it may stick to the table, and it will be quite difficult to remove it.
3. Break a block of wax or an old candle into small pieces - this will make them melt faster.
4. Now you need to prepare the wick for the candle - make a “seed”. This will make the wick match the color of the candle, burn slower, and make it easier to install. So, first you need to melt the wax! Pour a small amount of small pieces of wax or paraffin into a bowl and place it in a water bath. When the wax melts, place the wick of the length you need there for 20-30 seconds. Then remove from the bowl using tweezers and place on baking paper. Straighten the wick, level it and roll it a little on the table, as if you were making a sausage out of plasticine. Leave to dry for 10 minutes.
5. Once the wick is dry, thread it through the nut, which will help keep the bottom end of the wick at the bottom of the candle. It can be found either in craft stores or borrowed from tea candles.
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6. Heat the wax again, add the remaining pieces and melt. Then add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. You can make single scents, or you can try mixtures. For example, a few drops of cedarwood oil, a couple of drops of eucalyptus and three drops of citrus essential oil. Stir the wax well with a wooden spatula.
7. Remove wax from heat. Pour approximately 1/4 of the wax into heat-resistant cookware.
8. Pour some wax into the prepared candlesticks, making sure that the wick is always in the middle. Leave to harden for 20-25 minutes. This will help keep the wick in the middle when the candle is filled to the end.
9. Heat the remaining wax, pour it into a heat-resistant bowl and fill the candles to the end.
10. Carefully screw the remaining top of the wick onto the wooden stick so that the tension is not very strong. Otherwise, you may pull the nut from the bottom and have to redo everything all over again. Attach the wick to a stick and place it on the edges of the candlestick so that the wick remains in the center of the candle.
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11. When the candle has cooled completely, trim the wick so that a small tail about 5 mm long remains above the surface.
Trim the wick tail each time you use the candle. This is especially true for candles with glass holders, which can burst from overheating if the wick is too long.
What explains the huge popularity of scented candles? Probably because with their help you can create an atmosphere of peace and comfort in your home; their smell can invigorate, calm or evoke a romantic mood. But of all the variety of scented candles, only a small part have a genuine psychological or therapeutic effect, and this is explained by the fact that only a few manufacturers add real ingredients to candles. essential oil.
Natural oils can have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and even antiviral effects. But most manufacturing companies offer either partially or fully synthetic aroma candles, which contain nothing but an “empty” odor, which can also cause headaches or allergies.
And yet, professionals and true lovers of aromatherapy have a way out - this is make your own scented candles. In addition, dried flowers and herbs, pieces of fragrant wood and resins (for example, incense), crushed aromatic spices (cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, vanilla, anise, etc.) can be added to such a candle. When such a candle is burned, its components heat up and begin to emit a pleasant smell, while maintaining their medicinal properties.
To make a scented candle you will need a regular paraffin candle. Place the candle in for a few minutes hot water to soften, then break it into small pieces, freeing the wick, and melt in a water bath. Then add a few drops of your favorite essential oil and other ingredients to the paraffin.
For candlesticks You will need glass, metal or ceramic molds like molds for, preferably small ones. You can use medium sized shells. even a very miniature candle will be quite intense.
Cut the wick into several parts and place it in each mold. Then pour in the melted paraffin, leaving a small amount. To make the paraffin harden faster, you can place the molds in a plate with cold water. When it hardens, a small depression may form in the middle of the candle; in this case, reheat the remaining paraffin and add it to the candle. You can also use beeswax to make a candle, but then you will need a separate wick.
Using the same technique you can make a larger candle. In this case, the wick should first be secured with a few drops of melted wax at the bottom of the container. The upper end of the wick is held vertically. The easiest way to secure it is with a clothespin at the top of the container.
If you want to tint a candle, use only food coloring, but in no case any paint!
To keep it from running out longer, you can freeze it first. Shorten the wick above the candle to 5 mm to prevent soot from forming.
Handmade is gaining more and more popularity. Extravagant jewelry, paintings, toys, decorative elements, gifts - this is just a small part of what passionate craftsmen and amateurs create with their own hands. Today we will talk about how to make a candle at home.
This process does not require special skills or equipment. After reading our recommendations and detailed master classes, get started on this exciting process even beginners can.
CREATING A CANDLE: WHERE TO START
Making your own candles is much easier than you might think. And the main advantage of such an activity is necessary materials easy to get. If you look hard enough, you can even find them in your home.
MATERIALS FOR HOMEMADE CANDLES
Wax, stearin or paraffin are best suited for the job. Moreover, it is better for beginners to start getting acquainted with the latter; it is the least demanding to use. You can buy paraffin at the store or use leftover old white candles.
WICK
It is best to use natural threads as a wick, ideally thick cotton ones. Do not try to use synthetics: such a wick will quickly burn and leave behind bad smell. To check if the thread is natural, simply set fire to its tip. If it melts, forming a hard ball at the end, you have synthetics.
If you have an unusual candle in mind and are thinking about how to make an original wick for it, then use colored floss threads. This is an excellent and natural material.
Remember an important rule: the thicker the candle, the thicker the wick should be.
It's easy to make it yourself. To do this, prepare a solution: in a glass of water, dissolve 1 tablespoon of salt and 2 tablespoons boric acid. Soak cotton thread or floss in it for 12 hours. Then dry them and twist them into a rope or braid them.
If you find this process tedious, carefully remove the wick from your finished household candle and use it.
CANDLE Mold
First of all, decide on the configuration of the desired candle, and then try to find a hollow object of the same shape. You may find it useful:
Cardboard bags for milk and juices;
. plastic cups for yoghurts and desserts;
. egg shells;
. silicone baking molds;
. glass goblets, wine glasses, glasses and glasses;
. baby beads;
. shaped ice cream molds;
. tin and glass coffee jars;
. empty tin cans.
The only requirement is that the mold material must withstand heating up to 100°C.
Another interesting option- pour candles into beautiful transparent glasses. You won’t be able to get them, but they will look very stylish and unusual.
Sometimes scented candles are made in tangerine or orange peel. The fruit is first cut in half and the pulp is carefully removed. You can also use large shells or coconut shells.
DYES
A white candle is elegant but boring. Naturally, the question arises of how to color paraffin in order to obtain bright decorations interior
For lovers of candle making, the best and cheapest option is to take wax crayons for children's creativity. Want to get a special candle? Look for pearlescent crayons - your creation will be unique.
Do not try to use water-soluble gouache or watercolor - you will fail. The dye will inevitably settle to the bottom or fall out in flakes. The finished product will look very unpresentable.
Utensils for melting paraffin
In order to melt the paraffin, you will need a small saucepan for a steam bath and an iron bowl. Experienced craftsmen It is recommended to heat paraffin in a steam bath, considering other methods, including the microwave, to be fire hazardous.
To begin with, we recommend that you also use this method, proven over the years: place a bowl of paraffin in a container of boiling water. If you plan to have a colored candle, add the chalk immediately and stir the melted mass several times to obtain a uniform color.
FLAVORS AND DECOR
Any available materials are suitable for decorating candles. First, decide on the topic of your work. Pebbles and shells will effectively complement candles in nautical style. For a New Year's theme, use beads, small cones, small decorative balls, ribbons and bows. Decorate Valentine's Day candles with hearts, sparkles, bows, dried flowers, coffee beans, etc.
It is best to scent homemade candles with essential oils, which can be purchased at your nearest pharmacy. Another option is to find vanilla cinnamon in your kitchen. You should add flavors to the melted paraffin at the very end, after coloring.
STEP-BY-STEP MASTER CLASSES
We bring to your attention a selection of accessible master classes that will help beginners learn basic techniques and techniques. If you already know how to create candles with your own hands, you can draw interesting ideas from them to implement in your creativity.
COFFEE CANDLE
Want to create a romantic mood? Light a coffee candle - its divine aroma will take away all worries, leaving only a good mood and peace. This is especially pleasant in rainy autumn or cold winter. This is also a great gift for any occasion or even no occasion.
*photo by Valentin
To work you will need:
. paraffin;
. whole coffee beans;
. wick;
. two plastic cups different sizes;
. wick holder - a teaspoon, a wooden stick or a plastic coffee stirrer.
If you don’t find paraffin, take household candles, you can also get a wick from them.
Crush the paraffin into small pieces with a knife to speed up the melting process. If you took store-bought candles, carefully crush them with the blunt side of a knife so as not to damage the wick.
Place paraffin in glass jar and put it in a saucepan with warm water. Heat the water over low heat until the paraffin is completely melted in the jar - it should become transparent.
At this time, prepare the mold for pouring. To a larger a plastic cup, place the smaller one after filling it with water. Between the walls of the cups there should be enough wide space. Pour coffee beans up to half the height between the walls.
Pour the melted paraffin into the mold to the level of the grains, wait about 10 minutes. Then pour the paraffin to the edge of the mold and let it harden completely. This will take about an hour.
Carefully pour the water out of the inner glass and remove it from the paraffin ring. Lower the wick into the workpiece so that it reaches the bottom of the glass. Tie its upper end to the holder and place it on top of the glass, centering the wick.
Pour melted paraffin into the middle of the candle. Place a few grains on top for decoration. Now you will have to wait 4-6 hours until the candle hardens completely.
Carefully remove the frozen candle from the glass. At the same time, it can be cut with scissors to facilitate manipulation.
If you want the grain to be better visible, blow the sides of the product with hot air from a hairdryer. The paraffin will melt and the surface will become embossed.
It turned out to be an excellent aroma candle, isn’t it? Do you want to make it even more romantic? We invite you to use the same technology to create heart-shaped candles that will become an unforgettable gift for your significant other for Valentine's Day or a birthday.
Watch a detailed video of creating a fragrant coffee candle and you will see that everything is even simpler than it seems at first glance.
RAINBOW CANDLES
Want to add a pop of color to your home? Interior rainbow candles will help you with this self made.
To make them you will need the following ingredients:
. paraffin;
. stearin;
. wick;
. cylindrical shape;
. dyes corresponding to the colors of the rainbow.
More detailed information you will receive from a detailed video tutorial. For beginning craftsmen, it shows all the stages of preparing candle mass and creating a gradient transition of colors.
COLORFUL CANDLES IN LAYERS
Spectacular colorful candles in a transparent glass will become the highlight of your interior. How to make them, see our master class, illustrated with step-by-step photos.
Materials
Before you make colored candles with your own hands, prepare:
Transparent wax;
wax pencils;
disposable paper cups;
glass cups;
wicks;
ice cream sticks;
aroma oils;
microwave oven;
grater
Step 1. Grate regular transparent wax and fill paper cups with the resulting material. They only need to be filled a quarter full with this material.
Step 2: Microwave the cup for 45 seconds. Get it out. Mix the wax with a wooden stick. It should melt completely; if this does not happen, place the glass in the oven for another 30 seconds.
Step 3. Place the wick in an empty glass cup. You can attach the other end to an ice cream stick and place it on the top of the cup. This will make it easier for you to continue working. Pour some wax into the glass and wait until it sets. Thus, the wick should be fixed in the center of the cup.
Step 4: Remove the paper wrapping from the wax crayons. Grate them and add desired color crayons into separate cups with wax. Add shavings of one pencil to a third of a glass of wax to get a fairly rich color.
Step 5. Place the glass of colored wax in the microwave for 2.5 minutes. Take it out and, stirring, add a few drops of your chosen aromatic oil. You don't have to do this, but with oil your candles will emit a pleasant aroma.
Step 6. While holding the wick, pour the first layer of colored wax into the glass. To get an interesting pattern, tilt the glass at an angle and hold it in this position until the wax sets.
Step 7. In the same way, melt cups with wax of a different color and also, but at the opposite angle, pour them one by one into a glass cup. Fix the container in different positions each time until the wax sets.
Step 8. After forming a multi-colored candle, let the wax cool completely.
Bright and unusual candles are ready. You can use them for their intended purpose or give them to friends as souvenirs.
SOURCE: http://www.rukikryki.ru/
Another one interesting idea- square multicolor candle. Wax pencils are also used to color it. If you are a beginner, be sure to check out the clear video tutorial, with its help you can easily make such a cool craft as a gift for friends and family.
OPEN CANDLES
Decorative candles can be of the most varied designs, because talented craftsmen never tire of amaze with their imagination and creative experiments. To confirm these words, we invite you to familiarize yourself with the method of making an unusual openwork candle.
To work you will need:
. paraffin;
. optional coloring and flavoring;
. wick and holder for it;
. cylindrical shape;
. small ice cubes.
Melt the paraffin in a water bath. If the candle is supposed to be colored, color the candle mass; if desired, you can also scent it.
Place the wick in the mold so that it reaches the bottom. Don't forget to secure it on top with an improvised holder. Fill with crushed ice, not reaching a couple of centimeters from the edges.
Pour the melted candle mass into the mold. Leave the workpiece until the paraffin has cooled completely. In this case, naturally, the ice will melt, and cavities will form inside the candle.
Carefully drain the water and remove the product by pulling the wick.
Be careful, this beauty is quite fragile and requires careful handling. This unusual openwork candle will be a wonderful gift for your family and friends. If you use paraffin from old candles for your work, you will get this beauty completely free.
You will receive visual instructions for action from detailed videos of creating openwork candles. After viewing them, you can make such beauty yourself at home.
Video #1:
Video #2:
Option No. 3: And if you are wondering what to give to your friends on New Year, then surprise them with a handmade red openwork candle. It will be an unforgettable gift and will bring a holiday feeling and Christmas mood to your home. Watch the master's work and be inspired by your own masterpieces.
MASSAGE CANDLES
The main ingredient for creating a massage candle is soy wax. By adding useful components to it, you can get a product that has healing properties. It is no longer a decoration, but a homemade cosmetic product that makes the skin soft and well-groomed.
Healing properties of essential oils:
Lemon essential oil will help rejuvenate your skin and cleanse your pores.
. Orange oil has an anti-cellulite effect.
. Rose oil stimulates the regeneration of skin cells and promotes skin elasticity.
. Rosemary oil can clear the skin of pigment spots and make it smooth.
. Patchouli oil does a great job of moisturizing.
. Lavender oil will delight you with its healing effect.
Solid vegetable oils are also added to massage candles. For example, cocoa butter is used to moisturize and tone the skin. And with its regular use, cosmetologists promise you smooth and soft skin.
Exotic shea butter can save dry skin from flaking. Coconut oil, rich in natural antioxidants, can smooth the skin.
General algorithm for creating a massage candle:
1. melt the wax with solid oils in a water bath;
2. let the mixture cool slightly and add liquid oils;
3. Cool the mass a little more and add essential oils, extracts and vitamins;
4. pour the resulting candle mass into the mold, after inserting the wick into it;
5. Wait for the candle to completely harden and remove it from the mold;
6. The hardened candle is ready for use.
We offer you the most common recipes for effective massage candles.
Recipe No. 1
Soy wax - 85%;
. avocado and shea butter (aka shea butter) - 5% each;
. patchouli essential oil - 2.8%;
. ylang-ylang essential oil - 2%;
. vitamin E - 0.2% (a few drops).
Light the finished candle and let it melt a little. Put it out. Put some warm wax on your hand and you can treat yourself to a rejuvenating massage session. Don't be afraid to get burned - the melting point of such a candle is much lower than a paraffin candle.
Recipe No. 2 “Massage candle with a calming effect”
Soy wax - 80g;
. shea butter - 40g;
. almond oil - 40g;
. cocoa butter - 20g;
. essential oils of sage and lavender - 2 g each.
A massage session with such candles is best done before bed. The calming effect of essential oils will help you relax and sleep soundly.
Recipe No. 3 “Massage candle with anti-cellulite effect”
Beeswax - 100g;
. cocoa butter - 60g;
. ground chili pepper - 5-10g;
. essential oils of orange and grapefruit - 3 g each.
Make sure you are not allergic to any of the ingredients in the candle. After the massage, you may feel a burning or tingling sensation, which is due to the presence of chili in the composition.
Regular massage will help get rid of the hated “orange peel” and make the skin soft and elastic.
WE DECORATE CANDLES USING DECOUPAGE TECHNIQUE
If you don’t have dye, but want to create something bright and memorable, don’t worry. The simplest candle made from cinders can be turned into a work of art. To do this, you need to have a little patience and decorate the product to your liking.
CANDLE DECORATED WITH DRIED FLOWERS
Dried leaves, stems and flowers will help you create an exclusive candle that will be almost impossible to repeat. Usage natural materials limited only by the local flora and your imagination. This is when the ability to collect a herbarium will come in handy.
*photo by Lyudmila Klimova
To work you will need:
. any dried flowers;
. 2 candles - for decoration and a regular one;
. tea spoon;
. tweezers;
. nail scissors;
. paraffin for final coating.
From the dried flowers you have available, create a composition that you want to bring to life.
Heat a teaspoon over a regular burning candle (with the inner side over the fire, since the spoon will turn a little black, and in order not to stain the candle, we will then carry out all manipulations with the other side of the spoon).
Place a dry flower on the candle to be decorated and gently stroke its petals outside spoons so that they melt to the paraffin and do not stick out. Thick stems may need to be ironed several times while heating the spoon.
Carefully trim off any excess stems that extend beyond the candle with scissors.
Glue the remaining elements in the same way, choosing the desired location for them. Make sure that the edges of the leaves and petals do not stick out.
All that remains is to consolidate the result. Melt the paraffin in a water bath and pour it into a container into which you can completely dip the decorated candle.
Holding the candle by the wick, immerse it in melted paraffin, place it on a flat surface and let cool. If the petals were not smoothed well and protruding ends remain visible, repeat this procedure again.
Such an elegant candle will conquer any heart and will not go unnoticed. Complement it with a beautiful candlestick and it will become a unique decoration for your home.
DECOUPAGE CANDLES WITH PAPER NAPLES
The desire to decorate a candle could come instantly, but there are no dried flowers at hand. In this case, you can get by with paper napkins. With their help you can easily decorate a candle for any holiday.
Choose a napkin with the pattern you want. Cut out the necessary elements from a napkin. Carefully remove the bottom two layers of paper from the resulting blanks. Further, the principle of operation is similar to decorating with dried flowers.
Place the prepared element on the candle and iron it with a hot spoon. Sand the cooled surface with the rough side of a regular kitchen sponge. There is no need to immerse the candle in melted paraffin with this method.
Your masterpiece is ready. Compose beautiful composition made from candles in New Year's style, fir branches and colored balls. It will bring a good mood and a festive atmosphere to your home.
PHOTO DESIGN IDEAS
Want even more inspiration? Browse our selection of decorative candles. You will definitely find one that you want to repeat immediately.
We were able to convince you that it is possible to create unique masterpieces even from scrap materials? That is why candle making has become a favorite pastime for many, beginners and not only masters.
Original form templates:
Now you know what and how candles are made from, you can get to work. Don't try to use the photo you like as a template and an unconditional ideal. Be inspired by ready-made projects to create your own unique candles. A little effort and perseverance - and your masterpieces will become a standard to follow.
Making candles with your own hands is fun and interesting. That's where there is room for imagination! The candle can be given not only an original shape, but also any scent and color. Shall we get started?
To make decorative candles you will need:
Colorless ordinary candles – 2-3 pcs.,
Colored wax crayons,
Aroma oils,
Tin can – 1 pc.,
Silicone molds for cupcakes,
Utensils for melting wax (canned food jars, cups) – 1-3 pcs.,
Water bowl – 2 pcs.,
Wooden sticks.
As a basis, I took the cheapest candles that are still sold in hardware stores. They are not very convenient for use due to their length, but are excellent as raw materials for decorative candles.
"Rainbow" candle.
Cut the top off a beer or beverage can. Break the candle into pieces and remove the wick. Lower the wick into the jar to the very bottom, securing it on top with a thin stick exactly in the center of the jar.
Place the candle pieces in containers, add grated or cut into pieces wax crayons and melt.
You can melt wax in the microwave. At the highest power it takes a few minutes. You can do this in a water bath: place containers with wax in boiling water. To thoroughly color the wax, the mixture must be stirred periodically with a wooden stick.
Colors can and should be mixed. This is done either at the stage of chopping crayons, or with melted wax.
Carefully pour the completely melted and colored wax into the jar, being careful not to get on the walls. Immediately place the jar in a bowl of cold water to allow the wax to harden. The sequence of layers is “rainbow”. Ideally, from red to purple, but not in reality - as long as you have enough patience. Each subsequent layer is poured onto the already hardened wax. There is a slight mixing of the layers, but it is not noticeable in the finished candle. Cool the finished candle and when it has completely hardened, remove it from the jar.
The work is, of course, dirty, but the dishes (ceramic and enamel) were cleaned well with an iron sponge, which is for frying pans.
The result is a bright and original candle.
Who hasn't heard about the benefits of aromatherapy? Some smells can have an emotional effect: they increase performance or relax, stimulate sexual desire or relieve stress. Scented candles can be made in .
It is best to use small molds, e.g. Silicone forms for cupcakes, where each cell will have its own smell, and possibly color. Candles “come out” of silicone well (for better extraction, you can lubricate the molds vegetable oil), they turn out neat, like store-bought ones.
The manufacturing principle is the same, only a few drops of some essential oil are added to the wax. You can add your favorite oils: citrus, coniferous, floral, or use tables used in aromatherapy. The candle will smell both on its own and especially when burning.
Individuality in your interior design will always be its winning side. Nothing gives it so much home comfort apartment, like things made by the hands of the owners. And if until now you could not boast of such fruits of handicraft, you have a great opportunity to fix it. We invite you to try making candles with your own hands.
Candles are a wonderful souvenir that can brighten the atmosphere of any family holiday. Candles have long been an attribute of celebration, significant dates, and romantic evenings. Yes, just sitting in silence, listening to your favorite music to the trembling of a gentle light - this is sometimes so missing.
For some, a candle is nothing more than a cute decorative item. And there is nothing wrong with this either; such products serve as wonderful decorations in the home. But scented candles can become a real psychotherapeutic tool: they will help create the necessary atmosphere for relaxation, taking a person into the world of dreams and pleasant memories.
In addition, a candle is a wonderful gift. The warmth of your hands and the light of a beautiful candle will be the best wish for a loved one. Candles will decorate even the most modest setting, highlight color scheme of your apartment will be evidence of the excellent taste of the owner.
Needless to say, mothers on maternity leave can even earn extra money from such a pleasant activity. And not only mothers - everyone who is fascinated by the process of creating a candle. And you can be sure that there will be people who want to purchase such hand-made beauty.
So, we have many reasons to finally begin our creative process. But to make a candle, we need to stock up on certain materials and tools.
Materials for making candles
Indeed, how to make candles with your own hands without special materials? We will need the following in our work:
- Wax melting vessel
- Candle molds
- Pan (for water bath)
- Sticks (the first is to attach the wick, the second is to stir the wax)
- Decorative elements for decorating the product
- Wax crayons
- Household candles or stubs of old candles
- Paper threads (100% cotton)
All this will help us create, if not a wax masterpiece, then a beautiful original candle. So let's begin!
Candle wick
Now we have to learn how to make a candle wick with our own hands. Whether we make a gel, paraffin or wax candle, in any case we will need a wick. In order to make it, we need natural cotton thread without any impurities. Alternatively, use colored floss threads as a wick. It looks very cute and unusual.
The thickness and texture of the wick depend, first of all, on the thickness of the part of the candle that should burn out. For example, there are candles that are partially composed of flammable materials. Only the core burns out in them.
For those who are going to cast a candle from wax, you need to take thick threads and weave them not very tightly. Paraffin and gel candles, on the contrary, require a tight weave of threads (otherwise the wick will smoke when burning).
Wick for wax candles
Wick for gel suppositories
You also need to be attentive to the following detail: if the candle is colored with wax crayons, small shavings can clog the wick without dissolving in the paraffin or wax. In general, there are a lot of nuances in this issue; be prepared for the fact that choosing a wick for a certain type of candle will have to be done by trial and error.
If you use a very thick wick, it is possible that the candle will melt too much, which can lead to soot. If you make a very thin wick, it will constantly go out.
There are several options for designing a wick: it can be crocheted, braided, or twisted with a rope. Before pouring the candle, you can soak the thread with wax, or you can do both pouring and impregnation at the same time.
If you don’t want to waste time making a wick, then use a wick from ready-made household candles.
Candle mold
In this matter, your imagination plays a decisive role. You can use any plastic or metal molds that you think are cute and appropriate for making candles. Don’t limit yourself to just ready-made molds: yogurt packaging, cream jars, baking tins, tin cans, glasses or mugs that can withstand high temperature heating Some even use milk tetrapack as a mold for a future candle.
Candles poured into tea cups
Candles made in eggshells
But for your first experience, it’s better not to split hairs: take something simple. For example, a yogurt cup. Be sure to remove the paper label first, as it may catch fire.
We take our glass and pierce a hole in the middle of its bottom with a thick needle - insert the ready-made wick there. WITH reverse side cup, the wick must be tied in a knot. In this very place of the knot there will be the top of our candle, because it will be poured “upside down”: the knot minimizes the flow of paraffin, stearin or wax through the hole we made at the bottom of the glass.
Go ahead. We need to place any stick across the glass - a toothpick, brush or pencil. We need to tie the other end of the wick on it. It should be positioned strictly in the center in a vertical, level position. This way, you guarantee yourself that the candle will burn and melt evenly.
Coloring a candle
Really beautiful candles You will succeed provided you don’t forget to color them. The simplest and most acceptable way is to color candles using simple children's wax crayons.
Do you think it would be smarter to use watercolor or gouache? Indeed, the palette of these paints is richer than the color variety of crayons. But the problem is that both gouache and watercolor are made on a water-soluble basis: these dyes are not suitable for working with a candle. They do not mix well with wax or paraffin, they can float in them in strange-colored flakes, and then completely settle to the bottom.
Decorating candles can and should be done only with fat-soluble dyes, and these are our wax crayons.
Often, many craftsmen use lipsticks or shadows to decorate candles. If you don't mind your cosmetics, please feel free to follow their example. But rest assured that the aroma of lipstick will linger throughout the house, which is not always pleasant. Many people may find this smell intrusive.
If you decide to make decorative candles with your own hands, it is better to use less aggressive materials. When choosing wax crayons, we focus on soft types of this dye. Candles made using mother-of-pearl wax crayons are especially good.
If you come across hard crayons, melting them will be difficult. Yes, and planing them is quite problematic. So, we chose a piece of chalk, sharpened it using a grater, and added these shavings to the wax cinders. Mix the shavings and cinders thoroughly with a stick.
However, there is another coloring option. It’s easy to find tableted pigments in specialty stores. different colors. They can be mixed with each other and dosed. Using such pigments, you will be able to make a truly unusual, bright or delicate candle. Pigments in tablets significantly expand the possibility of obtaining interesting shades.
You should not refuse to use dyes: they give the candle a unique look and create a unique pattern.
Pouring a candle
Now that the wick is ready, it’s time to fill it. We will need a regular tin can. It has to be flattened a little to form a kind of nose. This is necessary to make the process of pouring out the molten material easier.
It is better to lubricate the pre-prepared form with a thin layer of dishwashing liquid or simple vegetable oil. Both remedies are equally good.
We need to put the fragments of candles in a jar (candles must be of the same quality). If we are going to make a paraffin or wax candle, we can take a saucepan or ladle for melting, which is not too much of a waste. In any case, this container should be placed in the pan that will be used as a water bath. In principle, you can use whatever you want, except glassware.
So, we fill the pan with water, boil the water, and then immerse the container with wax or paraffin. This is how our material will melt.
When the material and shavings are completely melted, you can begin pouring the candle.
Fill the bottom of our mold with wax and let it cool. Do not rush to fill the entire mold at once, otherwise a lot of wax or paraffin may leak out through the hole in the bottom. We pour the wax in layers, and what has flowed out is re-sent for re-melting. When the candle is completely filled, it needs to be cooled. The temperature should be room temperature.
Many people make a mistake at this point: they try to speed up the cooling process by placing the candle in the freezer. In this case, it may spread unevenly.
This is not critical if we fill the candle upside down. If you use another method, then you should leave a little wax in order to fill the depressions next to the wick. And after drying they will definitely appear.
When the temperature of the candle becomes equal to the temperature of the room, you need to untie the knot at the bottom of the mold. At this moment, we remove the product itself by carefully pulling the wick.
If you can’t do this, you can cut the mold. Or put it in the refrigerator for a minute, and then put it under hot water for a few seconds.
After this, we cut off the excess part of the wick, leaving a tip of 1 cm. If there are unsightly seams left from the mold, they can be removed hot water. But with these manipulations, the candle may become cloudy, its shine may fade. That's why optimal solution will choose a candle mold that does not contain seams.
DIY aroma candles
Making scented candles with your own hands is quite possible. In particular, this is worth doing for those who are true fans of aromatherapy. In order for you to get exactly the aroma candles, you need to add some essential oils before pouring them into wax. The choice of oil depends on your taste: you can add any oil, except perhaps rose oil. After all, its smell when burning will be suffocating and heavy.
It would be great if the decor of the aroma candle matches the plant whose oil we use. For example, using lavender oil as the basis for the aroma, pink or lilac dyes should predominate in the decor of the candle.
Using laurel or mint oil, it is better to decorate a candle with green shades.
Vanilla or cinnamon will be organic in warm, beige-brown tones of a candle.
It's not just oils that can make your candle scented; regular coffee is a strong and pleasant scent.
In principle, achieving the scent of a candle is not so difficult. Aromatic oils are added to paraffin, wax or gel. And then the process of making a scented candle is no different from creating a regular candle.
We advise experimenters to mix oils: you are guaranteed an unusual bouquet of aromas. If you are afraid of “doing something weird” and synthesizing incompatible smells, look at perfume recipes. Follow their instructions, just don't add rose oil.
Gel candles
Now let's talk about how to make gel candles with your own hands. In order to make gel candles, it is better to use ready-made gel wax. The recipes for making candles are often written on the packaging with it, and you can use it.
For those who are used to doing everything themselves, the following recipe can help:
- 5 g gelatin
- 2 g tannin
- 20 ml water
- 35 ml glycerin
First we need to dissolve the tannin in the glycerin through the heating process. We continue to heat, adding the remaining glycerin and gelatin to the composition. Add water to the resulting clear solution. Bring the mixture to a boil. Some cloudiness of the solution should not scare you: it will soon disappear. Until the water completely evaporates, you need to boil the solution.
You can also add essential oil to gel candles; this does not contradict the recipe. A separate, especially pleasant process is decorating gel candles. Place loosely on the bottom of any transparent container. decorative elements: beads, beads, pebbles, shells, sequins, coffee beans, dry plant stems or flowers. Then fill everything with gel transparent wax. This candle looks simply incredible: transparent, delicate, with a magical pattern inside.
Coffee candles
I can’t imagine making decorative candles either. special labor. For example, you can make an original coffee candle. The decor is, of course, coffee beans. The principle of operation is this: a small one is inserted into a large mold. Between the walls of the two molds you need to pour coffee beans, and then fill them with candle mass.
As soon as the mass with coffee beans has frozen, the walls need to be blown with a hot hairdryer. Thanks to this, excess paraffin will drain and the coffee beans will be clearly visible.
Now the outer layer with coffee beans is ready. We put it back into the mold, fill the inside with paraffin/wax of a different color.
Coffee candles can be like this:
You can make sea candles in the same way: instead of grains, they will contain pebbles or sea shells. As an option - transparent gel candles with small pebbles or coffee beans.
Candle decoration options
How else can you decorate a candle you created with your own hands? The first way to add originality to your candle is to use unusual, unexpected shapes. Sometimes interesting shape can be more advantageous than even the most skillful decor. A wonderful decorative element for candles is various types of glass stands.
In a specialized store you can find special stickers for decoration. Or decoupage is a great way to decorate candles. By the way, it is very fashionable among professional candle makers. Most often, napkins are used as the basis for decoupage. Don't forget about safety precautions: use special varnish for candles.
For lovers original decor The following option will do:
Before pouring, place shells, pieces of dried fruit, cinnamon, seeds, and dried flowers around the edges of the mold. Or let it be coffee beans in an ensemble with rhinestones and beads. But in the latter case, it would be more appropriate to talk about the decor of the finished product: we insert decorative elements into melted paraffin/wax.
An already frozen candle can be covered with bamboo or cinnamon sticks. You can add star anise or the same coffee beans to them. It will be beautiful decoration for aroma candles.
If you are using dried plants (or any other decorative items that can become flammable), the candle wick should be thin so that the candle only melts in the middle.
In principle, if you have the opportunity to go to specialized stores for material, you will buy a lot there useful means. For example, markers and outlines are sold there; they do not burn, but during the smoldering of the wick they melt along with wax/paraffin.
If you don't want to collect old candle cinders, use paraffin beads or candle gel. In specialized stores you can even find ready-made wicks (with a metal holder). For floating candles, you can purchase specially formulated wax.
Today is a fantasy creative person There is practically no constraint: the prices for materials for making candles are not high, the process is exciting and not as long as it might seem. Having once created a beautiful candle with your own hands, you are unlikely to deny yourself the pleasure of experimenting again.
And for inspiration, we invite you to watch a wonderful video master class on creating carved candles
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