Candles became popular in the Middle Ages. They were only people with wealth because their price was very high. They were made from different material, it could be paper or papyrus, different plants and fat. Then the North American colonists figured out how to get wax. After that, a lot of different experiments and experiments were carried out, but the expected result was not there. This lasted until paraffin was invented. Since then, candles have been made from it.
DIY candle molds
Forms for candles can be very different, it will depend only on your imagination and mood. For this, various transparent glass jars, cups that you have in the kitchen, containers for baby food and yogurt, small boxes that are made of thick cardboard are suitable. You can also use orange and lemon peel. Also you can do plaster mold for candles, for this you need to fill the figurine of an animal or flower with plaster and wait until it hardens.
Wick
The wick can be purchased at a special store, taken from a candle that you have, or you can make it yourself. There are two options.
Materials that will be needed for work:
- bamboo sticks or cork sticks;
- sunflower oil, olive oil can also be used;
- napkins;
- scissors.
First you need to cut the stick, the length you need. Then place the resulting stick in a sunflower or olive oil for twenty minutes. This is necessary in order for the wick to burn longer. After that, remove the stick and lightly blot with a napkin. Your wick is ready.
Second option. Here the wick will be made from cotton thread. Necessary materials for work:
- floss thread or cotton thread;
- water;
- salt;
- borax.
You need to cut off a couple of strips of cotton thread. Then take a glass and mix in it three tablespoons of borax and one tablespoon of salt. After that, dip strips of thread into a glass and leave them there for twelve hours. After this time has passed, the threads will need to dry well.
When the threads are dry, weave them together and dip them in wax or paraffin. After drying, the wick will be ready.
Flavors
Essential oils can be used for this. When the candle burns, they will evaporate and permeate the air. pleasant aromas, which, in most cases, have a good effect on the body. You can mix oils and get candles for different purposes, some can be for relaxation and excitement, while others can be uplifting. The more oil is added to the candle, the brighter its smell will be. But if you are making a candle with your own hands from natural wax, it is better not to use fragrances.
Dyes
This component is optional, since you can make a candle without it. But if you decide to make your candles bright, you can use wax crayons that children use to draw on asphalt. Before use, it must be crushed into small crumbs, and then added to the melted mass for the candle. still exist liquid food coloring, but they are not suitable for our candles, because they are based on water. You can replace them oil paints or special paints that are sold in stores where there is everything for candle making.
How to make a candle at home
DIY wax candles
Necessary materials:
- wax or paraffin, at your discretion;
- the form;
- flavorings and dyes, if you decide to use them;
- a container for a water bath and a pot of water;
- wick;
- sticks that will support the wick;
- glue gun.
Making candles.
First of all, you need to decide on the form into which the wax will be poured. Then install a wick in this form. The wick must be glued to the bottom of the form, via glue gun
and fix his wand, and if there is no wand, then you can use an ordinary drawing pencil.
After you have fixed the wick, you need to make a mass for the candle. To do this, wax or paraffin is melted in a water bath. As soon as the mass takes on a liquid form, you can add flavorings and dyes to it.
The last step in the work will be pouring the mass into molds. In order for it to take on a shape such as you want, it needs to harden, this will take several hours. After hardening, your original candle will be ready.
DIY gel candles at home
They can be a wonderful gift or souvenir. They smell very nice and burn much longer than paraffin or wax ones. Moreover, the container in which the candle will be made, after it burns out, can be used for other purposes. How to make candles with your own hands will tell further.
Materials for work:
- gelatin, it should be colorless;
- glycerin and tannin;
- ink that has different colors;
- essential oil that you prefer;
- glass container;
- wick;
- miscellaneous items
Making candles.
The first thing to do is add five parts gelatin to twenty parts water. Then twenty-five parts of glycerin are placed in this mass and it is all heated over low heat until transparent.
Till gelatin and glycerin heated to dissolve the tannin. To do this, you need to take two parts of tannin and ten parts of glycerin, after mixing, add to the total mass. The mixture should boil until it becomes clear.
If you want the candle to be bright and beautiful, add ink, the color of the candle will depend on its color. After that, essential oils are added.
To decorate a candle, you need to put decorations on the bottom of the mold, it can be beads, various beads, shells and even pieces of fruit.
After that, the wick is fixed in the form, it is necessary that it be in the middle. Then the mass is poured and left to solidify. A beautiful candle, after hardening it will be ready for use.
You can use whatever you like for this. If you are making an aroma candle, you can use pieces of fruit, oranges, tangerines, lemons, grapefruits will do. But before that, the fruits must be dried, this can be done in the oven at seventy degrees.
You can also use different ribbons, threads for decoration and lace as decoration. But you need to be careful with this decor material, as it ignites easily. It is best to mount it on a candlestick.
Candles handmade can be decorated with cones, coffee beans, cinnamon sticks, various beads, printed photographs. How your candle will be decorated depends only on your imagination and desire.
You are on the verge of an amazing discovery of the world of candles.
In order not to throw a bunch of materials for making candles in the trash, you first need to study their properties.
- How to save your time?
- How to avoid beginner mistakes?
- How to save on materials and not throw away the money spent on materials and their delivery?
- Want to learn how to make candles yourself?
- Do you want a new hobby that you can earn money from?
- Then read the article to the end!
Of the many materials for creating candles, it is not easy to choose the right ones for you. In the Internet great amount articles on candle making, and to put it mildly, not all of them are true. Often online stores that sell materials for candles (or for soap and candles) sell them and give the wrong advice, or simply try to sell you more (in other words, to make money on you).
It is necessary to take into account the properties of each material and separate the necessary from the secondary.
Candlemaker's desktop
Your work table, where you will make candles, should be protected from paraffin, dyes and everything with which you will create.
The table needs to be covered.
It can be an old newspaper and a magazine divided into sheets, polyethylene, old cut bags.
Very convenient to use silicone mats for baking (blue and red are mine).
Of course, before starting work, put on an apron or clothes that you don’t mind. If paraffin drops on clothes, then it will be almost impossible to return it to its original form.
Why is silicone mat so good?
Drops of paraffin that have fallen past the mold easily depart from it.
It is easy to wash.
Easy to fold, roll up and put away.
It is soft and pleasant to the touch.
Water bath accessory
The very first thing you can't do without is water bath.
All candles are made from candle mass melted in water bath, otherwise it cannot be melted. No way! In no case should you melt the candle mass in a microwave, double boiler, slow cooker ...
Otherwise, the paraffin will instantly overheat and ignite!
If you do not want a fire, then strictly follow these tips.
Only a water bath!
What is a water bath?
You will need an old metal saucepan (you will not use it anywhere else) and a smaller ladle, preferably with a long handle.
Water is heated and boiled in a saucepan, heating the candle mass in a ladle. Gradually, the mass melts. The paraffin will never reach the boiling point in this way. This means that harmful vapors will not be released into the air you breathe.
Make sure that the melted candle mass does not drip onto the stove.
Paraffin in contact with a hot object (or when boiling) evaporates, releasing harmful fumes. Do not confuse! When melted in a water bath, paraffin does not emit anything!
My pans look like these two photos. I bought one ladle in a specialized online store in the USA, I bought the second one from my hands. More comfortable with plastic handle, because does not heat up.
Food paraffin (P-2)
Why is paraffin called food grade? It is used in Food Industry, for example, in the coating of cheeses to slow down the spoilage of the product.
Paraffin is in shavings (loose, photo on the left), and sometimes lumpy (below in the photo). Buying paraffin in a briquette (layer) is cheaper.
- Paraffin is a product of petroleum distillation.
- Substance white color crystalline structure, in the molten state has a low viscosity.
- Melting temperature t pl \u003d 40-65 ° С.
- Density 0.880-0.915 g/cm³ (15°C).
Pay attention when buying paraffin for its labeling. There is also technical paraffin (marked T), which contains a large% of technical oils, from which food paraffin is maximally cleared!
It is cheaper to buy paraffin in briquettes, but in this case you will have to buy 5 briquettes in a bag, and each factory makes about 5 kg. I have already got used to it and buy paraffin in bulk, 25-45 kg each.
At retail, paraffin is most often sold in shavings (flakes), since it is easier for the seller to pour and weigh it.
What else is needed, besides paraffin, for candles?
You can only make candles from paraffin. Then you get this effect, as in the photo. After the candle hardens, the surface is obtained with bubbles, veins, or "snowy" - as someone says - that is, heterogeneous.
- This comes from the fact that the paraffin needs a so-called "plasticizer" because the paraffin hardens unevenly.
The snow effect is great for holiday candles!
What to do if we want to avoid this effect, we will analyze further.
In the meantime, check out how you can use the effect!
An important property of paraffin is shrinkage
Due to the fact that paraffin molecules have a weak bond, then surface tension, such as that of water, or, for example, molten soap base, No. It is weak. Thus, when the paraffin hardens, firstly, it settles, and secondly, a funnel is formed, as in the photo.
- How to remove this funnel?- most frequently asked question. Don't get scared at the sight of a funnel and don't think it's your fault. This funnel always appears. It's important to just hide it. But how?
It is necessary to pierce the hardening surface with a long knitting needle or a stick during the paraffin solidification process in order to remove excess air and open voids.
And then top up.
Thus, the funnel can be hidden.
Stearin
Remember we talked about the "snowiness" effect? It can be removed. Stearin can serve as a plasticizer, a binder for paraffin molecules.
That is, if you put paraffin and a little stearin in a water bath, then the effect of snowflakes will disappear, the color will be even.
Stearin is used in the production of candles as an additive to paraffin (10-20%) or in its pure form.
- Melting point t pl 53-65°C.
- Density 0.92 g/cm 3 (20°C).
Solid, translucent mass, greasy to the touch.
Stearin candles burn evenly and do not melt, they do not change their shape during thermal exposure.
But making candles from pure stearin is quite expensive. Therefore, it is better to have stearin and add it to paraffin, so that the candle mass shrinks less and the candle "flows" less.
The formula for the production of candles from paraffin and stearin:
- 80% paraffin + 20% stearin. Try it!
Natural beeswax*
*For adherents of all natural, it is possible to make candles from bees, soy (etc.) wax.
When I purchased a natural large natural beeswax briquette, I fell in love with this material at first sight! Why do we need all these artificial flavors when there is the most fragrant honey beeswax? Ehhhh...
Beeswax is a waste product of bees. Registered as a food additive E-901.
Secreted by special glands honey bees from which bees build honeycombs.
Solid substance from white (with a slight yellow tint) to yellow-brown color with a characteristic honey smell.
It has strong bactericidal properties.
At a temperature of 35 °C the wax becomes plastic.
It melts at a temperature of 62-68 °C.
I pour this wax into small silicone molds (I will show these molds later). Candles are small in weight, fragrant and beautiful.
By the way, for melting beeswax, I use a separate dish, because it is difficult to wipe off the wax.
- beeswax is aromatherapy
- Hardens many times faster than paraffin
- Natural product
But, of course, beeswax - expensive product. It costs 4 times more than paraffin.
Candle molds
When you start making candles, life turns into a constant search for candle molds. Until you get professional forms.
Q-tips were my secret weapon.
They are not only round shape, but also in the form of a heart, a flower.
Who said that non-professional forms are bad candles?
The main thing is that the candle mass, dyes and flavors are on top. Execution, of course, too :-)
Polycarbonate molds
I purchased these forms in the USA. Forms are convenient because they are transparent.
However, polycarbonate is not eternal and cracks over time.
I recently threw away one mold (it cracked and started to leak) after 4 years of use.
Plastic molds for candles
These molds are stronger and cheaper than polycarbonate.
However, the downside is that they are not transparent.
The difference is that they have a plug (cover) at the base of the mold. This is quite convenient when you need to take out a finished candle.
Soft plastic for mini candles
These are the forms (used in the manufacture of soap).
Holes for the wick are made with a red-hot needle, and the mold is ready for making mini-candles.
Plastic Molds Milkyway Molds
There are also some very interesting plastic forms.
In Russia, I have not seen such.
Molds manufactured by Milky Way Molds, consisting of two parts. It is a durable plastic that can withstand temperatures of 200º C.
I have such forms, but I don’t make candles out of them ... they are painfully bulky ... about 2 kg!
metal molds(aluminum, steel, etc.)
Metal forms are "for centuries". Strong, stable, super, in a word. Forms are made of aluminum, steel, and other metals.
You need to be careful, because. the metal quickly heats up from the filled candle mass, you can burn yourself.
The thickness of the mold is 1-3 mm. I really enjoyed pouring candles into metal molds. Candles are smooth.
Silicone baking molds
You can use silicone molds for baking or ice: high forms in the form of hearts, cupcakes, roses, as well as small molds in the form of fish, stars, etc. as a decoration for candles.
Silicone baking molds are flexible, inexpensive, but not so durable when the bottom is pierced (when the candle is removed from the mold, the hole gradually breaks out, and this causes paraffin to leak during pouring, although this can also be solved with paper tape or other secrets, which I talk about in my master classes).
Silicone handmade molds
Silicone molds can be bought at the store. But there are such unique silicone molds that are not so easy to make, that's why I'll tell you about them. I order my silicone molds from the master. These are not all the forms that I have.
To make a candle, you need experience.
Make your own silicone mold
According to the preparation technology, silicones are two-component (the so-called "compounds"): consisting of a base and a catalyst (hardener), which must be mixed in a certain proportion before use, and one-component - ready for use.
To make a mold, we need a two-component compound. When both components are mixed, they begin to gradually solidify.
Blind your own form from plasticine or take a ready-made one (ball, toy, etc.), place it in a disposable bucket (jar or any other container, secure it firmly with glue or tape. Mix the components in a ratio of 100 grams of base and 3.5 - 5 grams of hardener and pour in. After 8-10 hours, the form is ready.
It is better if, when pouring silicone, you just leave a place where you will later pour wax. Otherwise, you will have to cut the mold and, when casting wax, strengthen it with a rope or rubber bands. The trouble is that hot wax deforms the mold.
But the next experiments showed that the silicone mold is in any case cut along (or across, which is not important for us), because the plasticine master model cannot be removed otherwise.
Be prepared for the pungent and unpleasant odor of both the liquid silicone and the cured mold. Be sure to add fragrance to the future candle, otherwise the candle mass will absorb the pungent smell of silicone.
And also do not spare the catalyst (it is better to put more on 1 g than less). Otherwise, nothing will harden, the mixture will not seize, and you will have to get the master model out of liquid, very sticky and unpleasant silicone and fill it all over again (after fiddling with soap and a brush).
I got such a candle from a homemade silicone mold, the result and the process didn’t really delight me, so I decided to order the molds from the master. Which is what I do to this day.
Making your own plaster mold
In this case, we will make a mold from gypsum. To begin with, it is necessary to fashion the intended future shape from plasticine.
Where the form connector is supposed to be, the blades of a safety razor should be stuck into the plasticine, not very deep. The whole structure is covered with plaster. The blades will help to quickly separate the form (the frozen gypsum is not cut and crumbles into small pieces).
These are the mini-candles I got.
Wick
You can buy wicks for your future ingenious creations at candle factories or in specialized stores.
But you need to know that there are a huge number of types and sizes of wicks on sale.
It is very important to choose the right wick for a candle.
If the wick is too thick, the candle flame will be large and the candle will burn out too quickly; if the wick is too thin, it will burn faster than paraffin, and the candle will “choke” and go out.
For the manufacture of the wick, a natural cotton thread is used, which does not smoke or crack when burned.
Wicks are usually marked with numbers.
No. 1 - for candles up to 3 cm in diameter,
No. 2 - for candles 3-5 cm in diameter,
No. 3 - for candles 5-6 cm in diameter,
No. 4 - for candles from 6 cm in diameter.
When you get forms, just ask the manufacturer what wicks are available and buy at least 2-3 different thicknesses, so you will test your candles and understand which is better.
Where else can you get a wick?
If you decide not to buy paraffin and stearin yet and make candles from old candles or from purchased household ones, then the wick can be removed from the candles.
The only negative is that the thickness of the wick cannot be selected.
Purchased Wick Alternatives
- jute twine
- Cotton thread twisted several times
- Crocheted cotton "pigtail"
Dye
The candle mass and wick have been prepared. Fine! Now the question arises: how to color candle mass? This is done very simply. When the candle mass is already melted in a water bath, add a piece of dye. I mean a dye designed specifically for candles. I have a huge number of them.
The intensity of the color depends on the amount of dye.
Keep in mind that the brightness of the color of the molten candle mass always more than cooled wax. Therefore, if it seems that the color is enough, still put a little more.
And then it will really be enough! :)
Sometimes there is no way or time to get a special dye. Read the next paragraph to understand what effect this or that coloring method will give.
How not to color candles
There are many options to make your candle unique. One of them is giving the candle color.
When I first started making candles, there wasn't much on hand as a candle mass dye.
And most importantly, there was little that was good and "competent" at hand.
Still, mixing paraffin and dyes is all kinds of chemical reactions, and you have to be aware of this neater.
Still, I wanted color. I started with gouache.
Gouache... Bad, very bad.
Fortunately, I have not preserved a single candle painted in this way.
The fact is that it is almost impossible to paint the candle mass with gouache: small particles of gouache settle to the bottom of the kindling, and even if you shake the paint a little when filling the form with wax, it still settles.It turns out a very pale shade, and from this muddy and untidy.
Once I was just visited by nostalgia (I still wanted to pour, albeit without normal dyes). And I "maybe" poured EARTH FROM A FLOWER TUB into the melted wax!!! It looked, of course, funny, a white candle, at the bottom of which something dark shines through. It seems at first glance there are no shortcomings.
Decoration holiday table, parts of the interior, a lifesaver in case of a sudden power outage, a nice gift for loved ones. What is it? Candles made by hand!
Yes, there is such an activity. Moreover, those who are fond of such a hobby get incredible aesthetic pleasure from this.
You can look endlessly at the photo of candles made by yourself ...
What you need is at your fingertips
Anyone can make candles. What will be needed?
Wax
Sometimes it can be successfully replaced with paraffin. The difference between them is that wax, due to its naturalness, does not emit soot, while paraffin, when completely burned, smokes.
This is simple materials, the acquisition of which is not difficult. You can find them in any needlework store or, in extreme cases, melt a ready-made candle, the cost of which is quite low.
Wick
There are also two options here: take it out of an unnecessary candle or make it from cotton-based threads. Twisting them strongly is not recommended - the flame may go out.
It is also worth considering that a wick that is too thick will cause the candle to melt faster, while releasing a lot of smoke.
The length of the wick is determined by the size of the candle plus a small length for easy lighting.
mold
A hollow container made of any material. The only thing: the edges of the form should be straight and not tapered.
Handy materials are:
- Saucepan and metal utensils for a water bath;
- A stick or any long thin object (pen, match) to fix the wick.
Making a candle
Having prepared everything necessary materials, you can start creating. Detailed master class will show how to make candles with your own hands quickly and beautifully.
Lower the wick into the prepared mold for the future candle, fix one end of it on a stick, and place it on the container.
Paraffin or wax grind and melt in a water bath. The fire should be small, and the process must be observed, and in order to avoid lumps, constantly stir the mixture.
It should be borne in mind that the temperature of the molten material is quite high, so it should be handled with care.
Pour a little melted paraffin (wax) into the mold with the prepared wick. Place the tip of the cotton thread in the middle, and let the material harden a little.
Wax has the ability to quickly cool, so you need to work with it quickly.
Note!
Fill the form with the remaining melted material to the required level.
Wait for the candle to harden and cut off the excess part of the wick. It is recommended that this be done at least 24 hours later.
It remains only to remove the candle from the container. For ease of removal and to avoid damage, the form must be sent to the freezer for half a minute or lowered into hot water.
You can light a finished candle only a day after the end of its manufacture. During this time, it will have time to completely freeze, which will favorably affect its operation.
Candle colors
You can make candles at home not only in the main (white) colors, but also in absolutely any shade.
In order to color a wax work, paints cannot be used. Oily or acrylic, they will not fulfill their purpose, but will only stick together in molten paraffin, turning into unattractive colored flakes.
Note!
Wax pencils will help to give the desired shade. They are perfectly mixed with the selected material by adding small pieces directly during the melting process.
Using several pencils, you can create a real rainbow of shades by gradually pouring paraffin of various colors into the mold.
aromatherapy
When making wax products, it is only painted, but also forced to give aroma. The fragrance of a burning candle can create an atmosphere of peace and comfort, as well as energize or, conversely, relax.
In order to make a beautiful candle that will please the eye and smell, you will need essential oils. They are in great abundance blown in any pharmacy or cosmetic store.
A few drops of oil will give the future candle a unique aroma.
Note!
When choosing a smell, you need to focus on the purpose or color of the wax miracle:
- relaxation will give lavender oil, and a candle, in this case it is better to paint it in a light purple color;
- bergamot can also relax - it’s suitable for this green color candles;
- an orange can improve your mood - a bright orange tint will complement the effect;
- ylang-ylang will set you in an intimate mood - lilac or pink color candles will just be in place.
Wax art
Decorating candles belongs to the real top of wax craftsmanship.
You can decorate a candle in various ways:
- Natural materials - pebbles, shells, twigs and others. Basically, they are placed at the bottom of the mold before adding the molten paraffin.
- Food products - coffee beans and dried fruits. Such materials can be placed throughout the entire volume of the form, pouring wax gradually and giving it the opportunity to fix the decoration.
- Decoupage. The technique has been known for a long time and has been successfully used in the manufacture of candles. A colored pattern from a napkin is placed on the surface and fixed with glue designed specifically for candles. This fixation protects the paper from burning.
Separately, it is worth highlighting the carved decoration of candles. Not everyone can do this - it will take perseverance and accuracy, but the result exceeds all expectations.
For cutting you will need: a clerical knife, paper and a pen. Wrapping the candle with paper, determine the size of the future drawing, cut off the excess. A pattern is applied to the remaining rectangle.
Paper is wrapped around the candle again and secured with tape. Carefully acting, the knife circles the pattern along the contour, and then cut out the excess layers of wax.
You can use these candles at a wedding, to decorate the table or just for the interior.
Transparent candles
You can make completely transparent candles using a special gel.
The advantages of such material are:
- lack of smoke, odors and soot;
- transparency (for beauty and decoration);
- the possibility of self-cooking.
How is the gel prepared? Glycerin, gelatin and tannin are mixed in equal amounts, the same amount of water is added to them, all this must be put on a small fire and boiled until the liquid evaporates.
The gel may be cloudy at first, but will become clear as it cools.
Working with gel is not much different from using wax, but there is still a slight difference:
- after the candle hardens, it cannot be removed from the mold, so it is better to use a glass and transparent container;
- before the process of adding the gel, the form should be slightly warmed up - this will protect against the appearance of air bubbles in the candle.
You can color, scent and decorate a gel candle in the same way as any other.
Knowing how to make candles yourself, you can always have at hand lovely decoration table, an exclusive gift for friends and relatives, as well as use their works in the interior.
DIY candle photo
Beeswax has long been considered a valuable material, it was not easy to get it. It was originally used to make candles, which were quite expensive. With the wide development of beekeeping, everything has become much more accessible. However, real wax is still common only in narrow circles of beekeepers. But if you yourself or your relatives are engaged in beekeeping, it will not be difficult for you to get material to create wax candles with your own hands, which will serve as interesting decorative elements or excellent gifts for loved ones.
Natural beeswax has many advantages over paraffin or, for example, gel. Wax candles do not form soot when burned, do not emit carcinogens. They also contain propolis and natural essential oils, which have a beneficial effect on our body when burned.
Among other advantages, it is worth noting that with the spread of industry and industry, urban life, people began to lose touch with nature and therefore appreciate even small news from the green world more. And candles made from natural beeswax have every right to be considered a link between urbanization and craft origins.
Rules for working with wax
To avoid force majeure that can overtake you when working with wax, remember a few simple rules:
- Always use an apron. It is desirable that it be made of dense canvas fabric.
- Do not wear revealing clothing while waxing. It is better if you wear a sweater or long-sleeved shirt, so as not to get burned if hot wax gets on your body.
- Wax starts to melt at 65o, care must be taken that the wax does not overheat, otherwise it may ignite. This can be easily prevented by heating the material in a water bath when the condition of the wax can be constantly monitored.
- When heating wax, you need to constantly be nearby, you can not leave.
- If wax ignites, it should never be extinguished with water, otherwise an explosion may occur. In this case, you should always have baking soda on hand.
Observing all the rules for working with wax, this activity will bring you only joy and pleasure.
Materials and preparation for work
To make original candles, you need to choose their design and color in advance, decide whether they will be scented or regular.
For work we need the following materials and tools:
- saucepan for a water bath;
- a container for melting wax;
- candle molds. Before work, it is better to lubricate them with liquid soap, dishwashing detergent or vegetable oil;
- baking soda;
- wick. For wax candles the use of natural cotton threads is recommended;
- dyes for wax. Suitable natural wax crayons, food coloring (but not on water based), you can also use gel pigments;
- stick or pencil. Needed to secure the wick;
- weight for the wick;
- natural wax. It can be purchased in specialized stores in the form of foundation or granules.
Manufacturing progress
The process of making wax candles is quite simple. If everything is done correctly and all simple conditions are met, you will enjoy not only the work itself, but also great result. This master class will help you navigate the choice of product and perform it in the best possible way.
First you need to melt the wax in a water bath.
On a note! If you have purchased large pieces of material, then it is better to cut it into smaller pieces.
Next, we proceed to fix the wick. We attach a weight to the lower end of the thread so that the future wick does not hang out when pouring wax into the mold. If it is possible to make a hole in the bottom of the container, then the thread is threaded there and a knot is tied at its end, in this case a weight is not required. It is desirable to wax the thread itself. Tie the upper end of the wick to a pencil or stick, as shown in the photo:
Now you can start filling the form with wax. Let the wax harden. No need to rush to pull the finished candle out of the mold, let it stay in it longer.
When the product has hardened well, you can pull it out of the container by pulling on the end of the wick. This will work if a weight is attached to the wick. If the thread is fixed on the form with a knot, you just need to cut it.
If desired, you can easily and simply give the candle any color and shape. The color is created with the help of dyes, the shape can be initially chosen curly. The easiest option is to use silicone molds for baking. They are easy to handle, it is easy to get a finished candle from them, they can be found in any hardware store in a large assortment:
You can also give an unusual look to a candle using paper gluing:
It is possible to use a detachable form:
The option of using ice to create an openwork candle is very simple and interesting. When filling the form with wax, pieces of ice are added to it, which then flows out through the holes, leaving an unusual ornament:
It is possible to make a magnificent rose from wax with your own hands. This does not require special skills. Making your own petals is not difficult. Need to pour melted wax on a saucer thin layer, then start wrapping the plates that have not frozen to the end around the wick.
Video on the topic of the article
The videos below will help you do the wax candle making job correctly and without problems:
The soft fragrance of melting wax, the flickering of live lights, the magical aura of romance - candles can create special atmosphere at home, cheer you up or relieve stress after have a hard day. They charge the home with the power of the elements and protect it from negative energy. Scented candles, created by you according to the sketches of your own imagination, have even more power, because they concentrate the warmth of your hands and the miracle of creation.
Fire has a magical effect: it can be destructive and life-giving, burning and warming, dazzling and illuminating. It is believed that a person can look at him forever. Accompanied by the flame of a candle, religious and witchcraft rituals take place - exactly the same as accompanied by incense. Aroma candles - a beautiful tandem of smell and light, are in special demand among mystical, dreamy and sensual natures. And if they also carry a high decorative value, then how can you do without them at all?
Handmade candles will allow you not only to throw out your creative potential, but also provide pleasant gifts to all your friends and relatives. And, who knows, maybe this exciting activity will turn into an easy source of income for you?
Making candles at home: materials and equipment
Everything that may be required for exciting process Candle making can be purchased at craft stores and art shops. Making candles at home is not too expensive, and for the first experiments you can do without the minimum amount needs.
To place original accents in the interior and create a pleasant atmosphere, you will need:
Wax, paraffin, stearin
Both pre-assembled cinders and a special candle mass will do. Ten to twenty percent stearin added to paraffin will give it hardness and reduce "weeping" when burned. Natural wax for candles can be bought from beekeepers - by the way, they will certainly have foundation for textured finish your creations.
Wick
You can make your own candle wick by twisting it from thick cotton threads. You can also use floss. However, it is much easier to buy ready-made in the store - the price is more than affordable. Important point A: The thickness of the wick greatly affects the quality of the burning of the candle. Too thin will give a weak light, which will go out, choking on melted wax. Too thick - a guarantee of excessively intense burning and soot.
Dishes for melting wax
It must be heat resistant. For a small candle, any tin will do - the main thing is that it is convenient for you to work with it (remove, hold, tilt).
Saucepan or bowl for water bath
There is only one requirement - it should be wider and lower than the dishes for melting. Sustainability is welcome.
Special dyes or wax crayons
Pigments for coloring candle mass can be in the form of a powder or solid granules. Ordinary wax pencils from your child's artistic arsenal will adequately replace them. Water-soluble dyes are not suitable categorically!
Essential oils
You can also make scented candles with your own hands at home using synthetic fragrances, but, you see, this will reduce magic to zero. Essential oils have powerful therapeutic properties, the range of their aromas is rich - it will not be difficult to choose a composition that is pleasant and useful for you. If desired, you can get by with vanilla, cinnamon, and ground coffee available at home.
thin sticks
They will be required to fix the wick exactly in the middle of the candle, to stir the dyes and flavors in hot paraffin, and also to apply the original “scratched” ornament to the finished candle.
Candle molds
Specialty shops will surprise you with the choice of molds for pouring paraffin, but making candles at home does not require at all extra spending. Real masterpieces "with a twinkle" will be obtained with the help of an aluminum beer can, a tetra-pack bag, a glass of yogurt.
Napkins for decoupage, coffee beans, dried flowers, beautiful spices, beads, rhinestones
If you already make candles with your own hands, then certainly original ones. decorative elements- offered by the store or found in your home treasures - a source of inspiration for creating a unique author's work. And special candle glues, varnishes, contours and markers will allow you to create the most elegant and colorful work. But keep in mind: only candles with a large diameter and a thin wick can be decorated with flammable paper, fabrics, herbs.
Scented candle at home: work sequence
This process requires, above all, caution: hot wax spilled on a towel, clothes, skin can cause fire and burns. But otherwise - an aromatic candle at home - it's simple, interesting, exciting!
Think over the design and aromatic composition for the future candle. measure out required amount pigments, choose the decor. Prepare the mold and wick.
If you are pouring wax into a mold, make a small hole in the middle of its bottom. Pass a wick into it and tie a knot with outside forms - later it will be top part candles. Pull lightly so that the knot fits snugly into the hole. Lightly grease the mold with vegetable oil or liquid soap. Put it on the bottom, and put two sticks on the upper walls - in diameter or diagonally. Fasten the wick between them so that it is stretched exactly in the middle of the candle.
Prepare a water bath. The water in it should not boil. At the bottom of the dish, you can put a cloth napkin. Cut (break, grate) the candle mass into small pieces, place them in a heat-resistant dish and set to melt. Add stearin if needed.
The maximum temperature to which paraffin can be brought is 75 degrees.
Add pigments to the melted mass, and then flavors. Mix thoroughly.
Carefully, without moving the wick, pour the wax into the mold. Leave to harden for 15-30 minutes. The time depends on the thickness of the candle.
Untie the knot at the bottom of the mold, gently pull on the wick and remove the candle.
If the candle does not give in, send it to the freezer for 15 minutes, then it will easily slip out of the mold.
Cut the wick (the one at the bottom) to a length of 1 centimeter, and the bottom one to the root.
Your scented candle is ready! Now you can make a carved ornament on it, wrap it beautifully with twine or decorate it using decoupage technique.
By putting crushed ice in the mold before pouring the wax, you will get fantastic openwork candles.
You can make a candle in a glass jar, a pretty jar, a coconut shell, dried orange peel - in which case you will need a special metal wick holder. It must be glued to the bottom of the selected vessel.
Natural beeswax is much more suitable for scented candles with essential oil: it, unlike paraffin, does not emit harmful substances when burning, but saturates the air with useful ones.
Striped candles are easy: just pour layers of multi-colored wax one by one after the previous one has hardened.
Rose essential oil has a very intense fragrance. To many, when burning a candle, it may seem suffocating.
The most popular air fragrance oils:
- Citrus fruits: orange, tangerine, bergamot, grapefruit, lime, lemon - improve mood, help overcome depression, are useful for increasing body tone and preventing SARS.
- Lavender, mint, sandalwood, myrrh, storax - relieve insomnia, relax, clear the mind.
- Jasmine, ylang-ylang, patchouli - aromas of a romantic evening.
- Fir, cedar, pine, tea tree, vetiver, eucalyptus - will help you get rid of colds faster, destroy microbes and viruses in the air.
Making candles with an exquisite aroma has a therapeutic effect in itself. Creativity distracts from bad thoughts, reveals the soul of a person, brings meaning and satisfaction to his being. After creating your fragrant wax masterpiece, light it up, focus on the flame, relax and think: "Life is beautiful."