Candle Making Tips

Candle sconces are an elegant way to have candles displayed on the walls of your home. If you use an interior decorator for any room, chances are he/she will recommend the use of sconces to hold the candles on the wall. Candle sconces can be made of wrought iron or you can have a brass sconce with a hurricane lamp. The plate of the candle sconces that screws to the wall can be made of metal, plastic or brass.

The plate of a candle sconce holds the candleholder or if you have tapered candles, you can have candles sconces that hold candelabras. There are a variety of styles available in wall sconces for candles and when you light the candles in them, they give the room a warm, inviting glow. Although you can use just about any kind of candles in sconces- votive, tealight, pillar or taper – your best bet is a dripless candle. Those made from paraffin or beeswax are best if you don’t want to spend time peeling candle wax off the floors and walls.

A brass wall candle sconce with a hurricane lamp holds a candle inside an old-fashioned lamp. This type of candle sconce will help you feel that your home is a cozy and safe haven, reminiscent of the days of the pioneers. On cold winter nights when the wind is whistling outside, you can relax with the glow of the candle reflecting off the wall. When you lose the power, you will still have light and you can feel safe with these candle sconces. The hurricane lamp style of sconce keeps the flame of the candle away from the wall and there is no danger of the candle tipping over.

Candle sconces come in a wide array of styles – gothic, traditional, art-deco and Victorian. You can choose a different set of wall sconces for each room and of course, you have to have a candle sconce along the wall of the stairway. This sets off the décor of the home. Although you may prefer the look of the brass wall candle sconce with hurricane for the entire house, you can choose different colors and scents to reflect your individual personality.

Traditional candle sconces were made from wrought iron and contained glass hurricane lamps. In addition to brass wall candle sconces, you can also have them made from Tiffany glass or plastic or you may prefer to have crystals dripping from them so that they look like mini chandeliers. You can also use imitation electric candles that operate on batteries if you don’t like the idea of using wax candles close to the wall.

If you want a small candle, votives are what you need to look for. Votives can be scented or unscented and they are easy for you to make at home. First you will need the proper wax for the candle. Votives are primarily made with paraffin wax, which has a melting point of 130° F. Depending on the effect you want to achieve with your votive candles, you may or may not have to included additives in the wax. Once you follow the simple instructions you will have your candles ready within 2 hours. If you want to start learning how to make a candle, votives are the best ones to start with.

In addition to having the wax to make a candle, votives need special molds. There are many of these molds to choose from and the number you have require depends on the number of votive candles you want to make. You don’t need to use any fragrances if you want unscented votive candles, but you can add whichever scents you want if you prefer to have a scent on your candle. You will also need to have the proper wick for a votive candle and here too, there are several choices you can make. For example, you can use a pre-tabbed votive wick, a cotton core waxed wick or wick clips.

In order to have little difficulty releasing the votive candle from the mold, you can buy silicone spray. Just spray the mold before you pour in the wax to make the candle. Votives don’t require large molds, so you probably won’t need to use this. However, if you intend spending any amount of time making votive candles, then it won’t add very much to the cost of your supplies. Candle fragrance is also optional because many people are allergic to scents and prefer the unscented votive candles.

When you gather all your candle making supplies, cover the countertop with newspaper so that it will catch any spills from the wax for the candle. Votives are small and it is very likely that you will spill some of the melted wax when you start pouring it into the mold. You will also need paper towels to clean the stove top because there is likely to be splatters. Before you start pouring the wax for the votive candle into the mold, make sure you have it placed on a flat surface. Otherwise, you may have lopsided unscented votive candles.

When it comes to candles, votives are by far the most popular. This is because they are small and dainty and fit into most candleholders. Although they are usually sold in sets of six, they are very inexpensive, if you would prefer to buy them rather than make your own candles. Votives are also easy to store in a small box, but you do have to keep them in a cool, dry place.

Before electricity was discovered and before light bulbs were invented, candles were the main source of illumination inside a building. This makes candle making a very necessary art. But even though electric light bulbs are now the main source of light everywhere, candles remain popular because they add to indoor surroundings a touch of coziness and romance in the atmosphere.

Learning candle making as a hobby has its own appeal and popularity primarily because there is nothing more satisfactory than being able to create something useful with one’s own hands. Candle making can also be a good source of secondary income if one becomes a master of it.

There are many types of candles that you can learn to make with candle making. The most popular type of candles are called tapers or dinner candles, the long and slender candles that are supposed to be held in place by candlesticks.

The pillar candle is another popular type of candle. It is a candle that can stand on its own, with a base that measures three inches or so in diameter. Pillar candles are also called column candles and they come in various shapes.

A jar candle is a candle that is made when the wax is poured into a glass container that is designed to resist the heat of the candle it contains as it burns. Jar candles are also referred to as filled candles.

A votive candle is traditionally used for religious ceremonies. They are small, cylindrical candles placed in a cup called a votive holder. Tealight candles, on the other hand, are small and short candles poured into metal holders.

Specialty candles are sculpted candles that are meant to be displayed rather than burned. They are also called novelty candles.

If you are interested in candle making, what materials should you invest in? Contrary to what you may think, the art of candle making does not require a lot of investment. Most of the time, the necessary materials such as the boilers and the molds can be easily substituted for materials readily available in your own kitchen or garage.

For candle making, you would need the following materials:

* The paraffin wax, which is the basic ingredient for candle making, as well as the wick. If you want to experiment with colors and scents, you can also get dyes and fragrance oils or essential oils.
* A double boiler for heating your wax. A double boiler is a pan inside a pan. The outer pan is for heating water while the inner pan serves to hold the wax being melted. Also, a stove for heating your wax.
* A thermometer for gauging the temperature of your wax. You would need to use a thermometer that is specially designed for candle making because the ordinary household thermometers do not have as high a range.
* A scale, a ladle and a measuring cup. A scale will help you measure the amount of wax you would need to heat for your candles while the ladle is for getting the wax out of its boiler. The measuring cup is for pouring wax into molds – it is safer and easier to do than simply pouring the contents of the boiler into the mold.
* Candle molds and mold seal. The candle molds are for shaping your candles and they come in different shapes, sizes and materials. The cheapest candle molds are made of plastic, but they are not that durable and they cannot withstand too much heat. The best candle molds are those made of metal. The mold seal, on the other hand, prevents the wax from pouring out of the mold.
* A blow torch or heat gun is for melting away imperfections on the surface of your finished candles.

The basic candle that is usually made by one who is just learning candle making is the pillar candle. Below is a step-by-step guide in making one:

1. Measure out the amount of wax that you would need by filling the mold you would be using with water. For every 3 ½ ounces of water, three ounces of wax are necessary.
2. Put your wax into the inner pan of your double boiler, fill the outer pan with water, and then put them to heat. Lower the heat once the water starts boiling.
3. Check the temperature of your wax with your thermometer. Different candles vary in their required temperature, but for pillar candles, the desired temperature is 180°F. Do not let the thermometer touch the bottom of the pan.
4. Prime your wick by dipping it into the wax. When the wick has started to release bubbles, take it out of the wax using thongs or old knitting needles, and then flatten out and leave it to dry. Once dry, slip it inside the mold and hold it in place with a wick support.
5. When the wax reaches the desired temperature, it is time to add whatever additives that you want, such as fragrances and dyes. Be careful when putting these additives in and stir them gently into the wax.
6. Pour your wax into the mold and tap the sides of the mold gently to release the air bubbles. Also, poke small holes near the wick to let out the air pockets that can make your candle a fire hazard. Afterwards, let the wax in the mold set for a few hours to let it cool. When the wax is cooled, you would have made your first candle.

Always remember that safety is paramount in candle making. Be cautious about the materials you are handling and always keep the area where you make your candles clean.

Candles have been used in home settings for centuries. Originally used for illumination, they were very utilitarian in function, with no thought of appearance or scent. But with electricity becoming commonplace, the candles role began to change.
Candles became more decorative and were recognized for their ability to achieve a certain ambiance, or mood, in any room. Candles went from being exclusively for tabletop settings to more designer-oriented sconces and multi-candle wall displays. But for the traditionalist, a formal dinner table is still not complete without at least a couple of tall tapered candles.
Scented Candles
Scented candles are just wonderful for decorating your home. Most are offered in attractive styles and decorative shapes, making them easy and fun to use around the house. Scented candles, especially the ones made rich with scented oils, emit their aromatic fragrance whether lit or not.
Placing scented pillar candles or jar candles in hallways, bathrooms and even kitchens can help freshen the air and eliminate unwanted odors. These types of candles are offered in a myriad of fragrances, sizes and shapes to meet every candle lovers needs.
Dinner Candles
Long tapered candles on a dining room table are classic. However, the newest candle displays have taken a different twist. A table decorated with a collection of small votives in matching holders can be quite a stunning addition to the dinner table. Try the same idea with an assorted mix of candle containers for a more eclectic look.
Having a dinner party?
Candleholders that also function as place card holders are available and allow you to dazzle your guests with your creativity. And whether your preference is traditional tapered candles or a grouping of votives, either will cast a special glow over the dinner table at your next party or festive event.
Other Decorative Candles
There is a multitude of specialty candles and candleholders on the market. Some are very creative with designs in the shapes of your favorite animals, others with more modern or abstract designs. Whatever your taste in candles, you can almost be assured that a candle is designed with your decorating tastes in mind.
Candle Do’s and Don’ts
Uses for modern day candles are only restricted by one’s own imagination. But decorating with candles can have its pitfalls, too. To help you avoid these decorating “faux pas”, the following tips will get you started on the road to becoming a candle aficionado.
§ If you like grouping your candles, remember to match the scents of all the candles to avoid creating a combined scent that is either too strong or unpleasant.
§ Consider mixing like-scented candles with unscented candles in your grouping to help control the overall strength of the scent.
§ Never use scented candles on a dinner table. The scent of the candles will compete with and interfere with the sumptuous aroma of the meal. Researchers have found that the aromatic smell of food actually is one of the most important elements of the dining experience.
§ Candles on a dining room table should always be smokeless. Be sure to trim the candle wick if it exceeds ¼ “ to reduce the potential of unwanted smoke.
§ Burning a scented candle in your bathroom, or “powder” room, will eliminate unpleasant odors. This is a nice touch for your next party or gathering of special friends.
§ Always burn your candles in a secure, fireproof holder made especially for candles. Also, ensure that there are no paper products or hand towels in close proximity to the candle’s flame. Using a tall candleholder with a shorter candle is just plain smart and keeps the flame away from flammable items.
§ If the candle holder is an open vessel, like a candle stick, always opt for dripless candles. Who wants a puddle of wax on your nice table linens?
§ When placing lower-flamed candles around a table, make sure it is done in such a pattern that a person’s shirt sleeve or clothing cannot pass through or over the flame.
§ Don’t place your candles too close to flower arrangements. Candles have been known to wilt or ruin flowers if the flame overheats their petals.
Remember – always practice safe candle burning! The most important aspect of using and enjoying your candles is to never leave them burning unattended, or where a child could be drawn to the candle and potentially be burned.
Keep it safe and enjoy the magical benefits of decorating your home with candles!

Candle Making is a fun hobby and enterprising business venture for others. There are basic supplies you need in order to make candles. All candles require three essentials – wax, wick, and a candle holder. Since candles can be made in various shapes, styles, and shapes; the amount of wax, length of wick, and type of candle holder you will use depends on your own preferences. The wax used for candle making is either paraffin wax or beeswax.

To melt the wax for your candles properly, you will need to purchase a good quality double boiler. To make the wax melting easy purchase stir sticks and a thermometer. To ensure the users of your candles can enjoy every bit, consider adding wick clips to the base of the candle.

Candle molds are very popular to help you design your own candles. You can purchase hundreds of different style candle molds or you can make your own. Candle molds are made from aluminum or metal. To make inserting the wick quick and easy, invest in a wick holder bar. A silicon mold release spray will ensure your candles slide out of the mold easily and keep their perfect shape. Mold cleaner will help ensure they work properly time and time again.

Colors add appeal to candles. The market offers a full array of colors to purchase for candles. There are many shades of the primary colors as well as pretty pastels and bold brights. Some candle makers like to experiment with mixing colors to create their own unique and attractive candle colors. The colors come in the form of a dye.

You have the option of leaving candles plain or adding your favorite scents. Traditional scents include cinnamon, vanilla, and potpourri. However, the choices are unlimited. Some of the aromas help you to relax and others will make your mouth water. You don’t want your candle scents to be overpowering or not strong enough. To be sure you have the right about, add one ounce of scent for each pound of wax used to make the candle.

The amount of each supply you will need depends on the types of candles you are planning to make and the size of each. On average, you can get all the supplies you need to start making candles for $100. Candle making supplies can be purchased at craft stores or online. To save money on candle making supplies, consider purchasing a candle making kit. They offer a small supply of all the items for a discounted price.

Candle making is a fascinating art that allows you to express your own creations. To help ensure your candles develop in a form that can be used, purchase the above listed candle making supplies. There are many accessories available as well to make your candle making more enjoyable. Candle paints help you create your designs on the candles. This is a great way to create gorgeous contrasts between the candle color and the overall look. Luster spray gives candles a very shiny look. A base leveler will help you align crooked candles. As well as ensure the bottoms are flat and smooth. Candles with wavy bottoms won’t sit well in a holder. Many people will enjoy the great books available on candle making. They can be purchased at major book retailers or online.