Natural candles beeswax, which originally had a purely utilitarian purpose and were used as the simplest sources of illumination, in addition to the main function, they began to perform other tasks (decorative, emotional, ritual), which made them indispensable in everyday life. Let's try to figure out how you can make wax candles with your own hands at home, what are their advantages and differences from paraffin candles.
Golden yellow candles, painted in natural tones with particles of honey and pollen contained in wax, made from a natural product without the use of any chemical dyes, artificial flavors, foreign additives and impurities are used in the most different situations and for different purposes.
Ecclesiastical
When it comes to wax candles, the first thing that comes to mind is candles, which are most often used in religious rituals, both in church and at home. They are made only from natural raw materials from the apiary without any additives.
Household
Their name speaks for itself. They are simple in shape (usually elongated in the form of a cylinder), functional, and well illuminate the room. They are used most often when there is no electricity.
Decorative
This is the most common type. wax candles... They are used at home as a source of light to create a romantic mood and a special atmosphere, as well as an interesting interior decoration. These candles come in a variety of shapes and can be made with dyes and fragrances.
Candles for traditional ceremonies, rituals and rituals
Dining candles made with paints and fragrances create the effect of subdued lighting at dinner and are used as an additional decorative element.
Thanks to their compactness and lightness, tea candles were originally designed to heat and maintain the required temperature in a special teapot on festive table... Now they are adored by romantic and dreamy natures, who often use them to create coziness and a special atmosphere in the room, at the table and even on the water (they are very light and stick well to the surface of the water).
What do these types of candles have in common? All of them can be made from a natural product - harvested in an apiary. Nothing else can replace their ability to fill the home with a subtle honey scent. And the very process of pouring golden liquid beeswax into molds is akin to meditation, culminating in the moment a thin wick is placed in the center of each candle.
Read also: The use of beeswax in cosmetology
What are the benefits of beeswax candles?
What benefits, apart from aesthetic pleasure, can wax candles give us?
Their subtle, unobtrusive honey-floral aroma is provided by the particles of the products produced by bees in the apiary that are part of the beeswax. This natural aromatherapy soothes and relaxes and creates a pleasant atmosphere in the home.
Such candles burn very cleanly and longer than paraffin candles, without emitting any harmful substances into the surrounding space. And with his functional task they do an excellent job of lighting the premises.
Wax candles help maintain and restore health, filling the house with an aroma that can affect microorganisms during combustion, due to the fact that the wax contains the remnants of propolis, resin and other useful substances found in the hive in the apiary. This feature allows the use of candles in folk medicine as a healing agent to stimulate the body, to improve mood.
Wax candles not only give us a soothing and peaceful atmosphere, but also make the air in our home cleaner, providing a healthier atmosphere. This can be explained very simply. When burned, wax candles release negative ions, which easily neutralize the positive charge contained in dust and micro-pollutants in the air.
By the way, this principle is used in the work of some air purifiers and water filters.
Burning wax candles reduces the content of impurities in the air, and it becomes cleaner. A favorable atmosphere is created in the room, which contributes to a more comfortable stay in it for people suffering from allergies, asthma.
There is some evidence that burning a couple of wax candles in the room for a time allowed the allergy sufferer to tolerate a component that causes a persistent allergic reaction (for example, the presence of a cat) more easily and to feel more comfortable for asthmatics.
In addition, the pleasant sweetish and light aroma of candles, consisting of 100% pure natural wax without fragrances, dyes and other additives, does not irritate at all.
Of course, high-quality beeswax candles are not cheap, but health care is a more weighty argument for many. When purchasing ready-made wax candles, you need to carefully study their composition. Sometimes, candles are given out as a pure product, which only 50% consist of beeswax and contain not entirely safe paraffin.
Cons of paraffin candles
The most common candles we use are made from paraffin wax, which is a by-product of oil refining. In terms of its chemical properties, it is a fairly environmentally unfriendly and highly toxic product that can pollute the air we breathe in the house.
The technology of its extraction is as follows: paraffin is extracted in the process of oil refining from the lowest layer of an oil well. This black mass contains many toxins. Further, the raw material is bleached and processed with benzene and other preparations containing carcinogenic substances. Further processing in order to give the resulting waste an attractive presentation, aroma and color is also carried out chemical means.
Read also: How to melt natural beeswax at home?
As a result, we, unsuspecting, get a beautiful, completely innocent-looking candle that contains dangerous toxins. Some of them are released during combustion and are carcinogenic.
What is the danger of the toxic effects of paraffin suppositories?
Paraffin candles can cause certain health problems with frequent and prolonged use. Tiny particles harmful substance easily and invisibly enter the human lungs, which can cause irritation of the respiratory tract and allergies.
As for the dyes and fragrances that are added to paraffin candles, they are also not always safe. During combustion, such a candle can release toxins, which are formed when the molecular structure of oils changes when heated.
And these are not the only disadvantages of burning paraffin candles. When burned, they release toxic fumes and microscopic soot particles, which eventually leave on ceilings, walls, furniture and interior items. dark spots and also settle in the human lungs.
How to protect yourself in this situation? Either do not use paraffin candles without special need, or try to learn how to make useful and safe candles on your own.
We make candles from wax with our own hands
Candle making is fun. For example, you can take a short break from your daily affairs or make an original and useful gift for yourself or your loved ones with your own hands.
Of course, without mastering at least a minimum of small secrets and various wisdom invented by savvy masters (and there are many of them accumulated over the years), you will not achieve a good result. But it is still possible and necessary to try. The process of mastering the art of making wax candles is simple and fun. And, perhaps, for someone it can become a favorite pastime.
To guarantee a pure product with healing properties, only natural beeswax is required to make candles. It is best to purchase it from those who are directly involved in beekeeping. That is, from trusted beekeepers who can offer the correct beeswax (this may depend on the season and the amount of pollen contained).
So how to make beeswax candles at home? Let's consider several ways.
Rolling from sheets of foundation
For the production of this method, a fragrant foundation is used. The sheets of foundation are slowly rolled and, under the influence of the warmth of the hands, slowly form the intended shape of a candle. required thickness... Even a novice master can cope with such a task.
For manufacturing, you will need a sheet of foundation, twine (cotton or jute) for the wick (you can use a ready-made wick for candles), scissors and a tablet candle for wetting the wick in molten paraffin for better burning.
An excellent table decoration for any holiday will be beautiful candles, you will learn how to make them with your own hands at home by reading the step-by-step instructions and detailed photos the whole process of their manufacture. They will not only become a part of your interior and give you aesthetic pleasure, but also help you out in the event of a sudden power outage. In addition, handmade candles can be a good gift for dear and close people who will certainly appreciate your efforts.
Workshop on making wax candles
Wax or paraffin- the simplest and available materials... They are easy to purchase from specialized stores or order online. You can also use the ready-made simplest household candles that are inexpensive. When choosing suitable material, keep in mind that wax- natural product and when melted never smokes, and paraffin - synthetic material, which burns out completely, while emitting soot. To create a candle you will also need:
- Finished wick. You can take it from an old candle or make it yourself from cotton threads or floss;
- Pot. It will need to heat water to create a water bath;
- Wax melting utensils;
- Candle mold... It can be made from any material. The main condition for it: its upper edge should be even and not narrowed;
- Wooden stick... You will need it to secure the wick. It can be a pencil, sushi sticks.
Before moving on to making candles using these materials at hand, you need to know that:
- Molten wax temperature(paraffin) very high, therefore, you need to work with it very carefully so that do not get burned... In addition, it cools down very quickly (within 15 minutes), so it should be poured into the mold not only carefully, but also quickly;
- If you make the wick yourself when twisting it from floss or cotton threads, note that it shouldn't be too thick... Otherwise, the candle will melt and smoke strongly. The curl density and the length of the wick also play an important role. To prevent the flame of wax candles from extinguishing, the threads need to be wound lightly.
How to determine the appropriate wick length for the finished product? It should be such that the candle can be comfortably lit.
Step-by-step instruction
| In the mold where you plan to pour melted wax or paraffin, lower the cotton thread or strings of floss twisted together. The upper end of the future wick fix on a wooden stick... Put it, in turn, on top of the form; |
| Cut into small pieces or grate wax(paraffin wax) or a regular old candle, put in a suitable dish. Put on slow fire a pot of water. Place a dish with wax in it and melt it while stirring constantly so that there are no lumps; |
| Pour into the prepared mold some melted wax. Place bottom tip of the wick in the center and wait until the wax thickens a little; |
| Fill in the form with the rest melted wax; |
| When the candle is completely frozen and harden, cut off the excess part of the wick. It is better to do this no earlier than in a day; |
| Carefully get out the candle from the mold or leave in it if it was intended that way. |
Tip: to quickly remove the finished candle from the mold and not damage it, you can put it in the freezer for 30 seconds or hold it for a little under running hot water.
Important! Do not light ready-made candles until they are completely cured. From the moment of their creation to the first use, it must pass not less than a day.
Decorating and flavoring
Once you have mastered the process of making candles from wax and paraffin, you can make the task a little more difficult. To do this, you should learn how to flavor and color them in any color.
Let's start with the color of wax or paraffin. You can change it to absolutely any at the stage of its melting by adding a piece of wax crayon the desired shade. Acrylic and oil paints to this end not worth using... If you add them when melting the wax, then they will not color it, but stick together and in the finished candle you will have blotches of ugly colored flakes.
Using a few wax crayons of different shades, you can make striped candles, which look very beautiful and original. To do this, you need to consistently melt and pour wax into the mold in layers. different colors.
How to make the finished candle smell sweet when burning? To do this, just add a few drops of essential oil into the melted wax before pouring it into the mold.
Candles are an attribute of any holiday. Candles in various colors, shapes and sizes can be found in stores. But, unfortunately, it is not always possible to find the “candle of your dreams”. In addition, I want the festive decoration to be special. You can embody your original design ideas by making your own candles.
Cinder candles
The accumulated candle stubs and lumps of paraffin can be melted into a new candle. To do this, you need a floss, a beer can, juice bag or any other shape, sunflower oil and, of course, the candle stubs themselves. They can even be of different colors. In this case, you get the original "rainbow" candle.
Remove the wicks from the rest of the candles, put all the pieces of paraffin in metal container and put in a water bath.
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If you are using white paraffin, but want to make a colored candle, crumble baby crayons into a container. To make the candle with a mother-of-pearl sheen, add to raw material eyeshadow. By adding a few drops of essential oil to molten paraffin, you can make a scented candle.
While the paraffin is melting, prepare the pouring mold. Lubricate its walls with sunflower oil to make it easier to remove the frozen candle.
Make a wick. To do this, twist several threads of the floss tightly. The thicker the candle, the more thread you need for the wick. Saturate the wick with molten paraffin wax. Tie one end of the wick to the pencil and place it on top of the mold. The end of the wick should touch the bottom of the mold. You can additionally fix the wick from the bottom. To do this, pierce a hole in the center of the bottom of the mold, pull the end of the wick through it and fasten it by tying a knot outside.
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Pour about two-thirds of the melted paraffin into the mold and let sit overnight. In the morning, when the paraffin has hardened, a depression forms in the middle of the candle. Melt the rest of the paraffin in a water bath and fill this "crater" with it.
Then leave the candle on for another day. When the paraffin is completely set, remove the candle from the mold. If the sunflower oil does not help and the paraffin still sticks to the walls of the mold, put it in the freezer for 10 minutes or keep it in hot water.
DIY coffee candle
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To make a coffee candle, you need 5 white paraffin candles or a few candle stubs, 4-5 tbsp. l. coffee beans, beer can, juice box or other shape, pencil, knife, sunflower oil, floss, small saucepan or bowl.
First, chop the candles with a knife, remove the wicks from them.
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Melt the pieces of paraffin in a water bath.
While the wax is melting, prepare the mold and wick as described above.
When the paraffin has melted, without removing the saucepan from the water bath, add coffee beans there, and after 10 minutes remove them and put them on the bottom of the form, filling it almost halfway.
Pour a little paraffin over the coffee beans to keep them from floating and cool slightly.
When this layer of paraffin has hardened, melt the rest of the paraffin and fill the mold to the top. When the candle has hardened, remove it from the mold.
Hold the layer of grains over the fire for a few seconds to slightly melt the paraffin and make the grains more visible.
DIY fruit candle
To make a fruit candle, you will need a lemon, orange, grapefruit or any other citrus fruit with a dense skin, several white or yellow candles, a floss thread, a small saucepan or bowl, and a pencil.
Cut the fruit in half and carefully remove the pulp, being careful not to damage the skin. The halves of the peel will serve as candlestick molds. Twist several threads of floss with a tourniquet and saturate them with paraffin or remove the wick from the candle. Tie one end of the wick to a pencil and place it on top of half of the peel. Punch a hole in the bottom of the peel, slide the bottom end of the wick through it, and tie it in a knot from the outside.
Chop the candles with a knife, remove the wicks from them, and melt the pieces of paraffin in a water bath. Pour the halves of the peel with melted paraffin and leave to harden.
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Pictures for candles
Even the simplest candle can be turned into a festive one in 5 minutes. To do this, you will need a thick candle, patterned paper napkins, scissors, and a teaspoon or tablespoon.
Carefully cut out a picture from a napkin with which you would like to decorate the candle. Please note that such napkins are usually multi-layered, but you only need one, top layer with a pattern. You can cut one pattern or several by gluing them around the entire circumference of the candle.
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Heat a spoon slightly over an open fire.
Place the drawing on the candle and gently smooth it out with a warm spoon, moving from the center to the edges of the picture.
And if you choose a picture of Santa Claus as a plot, then you get such a beautiful New Year's candle, which New Year's interior decorate and be good new year gift .
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DIY gel candle
Transparent gel candles look very unusual. In addition to external beauty, they have another advantage: the gel burns more slowly than paraffin. In general, the principle of making a gel candle is the same as that of a paraffin candle. However, there are also a number of features.
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To make a gel candle, pour 5 parts of colorless gelatin with 20 parts of water. After 30-40 minutes, add 25 parts of glycerin to the swollen gelatin. Put the mixture on low heat and heat until a clear solution is obtained. Take 10 parts of glycerin separately, heat it up and dissolve 2 parts of tannin in it. Mix both solutions. You will end up with a cloudy solution. Heat it some more until it becomes transparent. Please note that the gel cannot be heated to temperatures above 120 ° C, since in this case the oily part will begin to decompose, the gel will turn out cloudy and smell unpleasant. Try to stir the gel as little as possible, otherwise bubbles will form in it. If bubbles do appear, place the candle on a well-sunlit windowsill. The gel will heat up and the bubbles will disappear.
Pour the finished gel into a glass dish with a wick. .jpg)
As a form, you can use any beautiful glass vessel with not too thin walls. Wash it thoroughly, dry it and heat it up in the oven. This is done to reduce the temperature difference between the gel and the walls of the vessel. If this difference is too large, bubbles will form near the walls of the mold. In addition, the glass can burst from temperature extremes.
The wick is made and attached in the same way as for paraffin candles. Of course, it is impossible to pierce a glass vessel, so the lower end of the wick is glued to the bottom with glue.
The gel is poured along the walls of the mold. Never pour it with a jet.
You can make an original candle by putting non-combustible materials in the lower part of the mold: pebbles, shells, beads. The jewelry is poured into an empty mold without a wick, filled with gel and left. When the gel hardens, a hole is pierced with a knitting needle and the lower part of the wick is inserted there. The top is attached to the pencil as usual. Then the mold is poured with the remaining gel to the brim.
Useful Tips
V modern world candles are used more as part of the decor, decorating the interior and creating a cozier overall atmosphere. To make a candle at home, you need to know a few rules, for example, that properly made wick is of great importance, since the evenness of candle burning depends on it.
It is also worth knowing that the thickness of the candle depends on the number of threads that are used in its preparation. For example, to make a candle with a thickness of 2 to 7 cm, you need to prepare 15 threads, and for a candle with a diameter of 10 cm, you need 24 threads. A candle with a diameter exceeding 10 cm needs 30 threads.
Go to the desired section:
Some useful information about candle making
Use a double boiler to melt the wax. It can be replaced electric oven. IMPORTANT: do not use glassware.
There are many types of wax, but almost all of them melt at 90 degrees Celsius.
Also it is advisable to have a thermometer nearby to help keep track of the temperature. Better to use a thermometer with a steel stem and a scale on top. It can be purchased from specialized laboratory equipment stores. A steel stem thermometer can be used to stir the wax.
Use caution if you decide to melt the wax for open fire, as in this case the wax may catch on fire.
Use baking soda for stewing, not water. It is also worth knowing that overheated wax will begin to release acrolein is a toxic by-product... Do not forget to take care of good ventilation in the room.
How to make a candle with your own hands
Prepare:
Old saucepan for melting paraffin;
Old bowl;
Heat-resistant forms in which future candles will be located;
Multiple wicks, which can have either paper or wire cores;
Stick;
Special holder to tighten the wick in the molten paraffin wax.
To make 3 candles, prepare:
40 g stearin powder;
400 g of granulated paraffin;
Dye to add color to the wax;
Fragrance (you can replace it with essential oil).
1. We make a base for candles:
Put a bowl in a saucepan of boiling water and pour stearic powder into it;
Wait for the stearin to melt and add 1/4 tablet of wax dye to the same bowl;
Put paraffin in a bowl and heat the water to 80C;
Stir well all the time;
After melting the whole mass, drip a few drops of essential oil or fragrance.
2. Preparing the wick
Immerse the wick in molten paraffin for 5 minutes;
Let it dry on foil.
3. We proceed directly to the manufacture of candles
Cut off the wick - its length should be slightly more than the height of the mold;
Pass one end of the wick through a special holder, and clamp it with pliers, and the other must be wrapped around a stick (pencil, for example) and secured;
Lower the holder together with the wick to the bottom of the mold and start pouring in paraffin;
After you have poured paraffin to the brim, you need to put the stick on the edges of the mold in such a position that the wick is in the very center;
Wait for the mass to harden;
Cut off the wick.
4. Something special
If you want to make your candle unique, you can use your favorite flower, souvenir, or spruce twig or pine cone if the candle is for the new year. You can also depict something on the form (you can use a festive stencil).
Useful Tips
It is better to look for the wax that is usually used in the manufacture of church candles;
Use powder paints (the best option), oil-based aniline paints, or natural substances to paint the candle.
How to make a gel candle at home
When making candles, you need to be careful and follow all safety rules, especially if you want to put some kind of decoration inside the candle. Also choose the type carefully aromatic oil and dye.
Now you need to decide what kind of candle you want to cook. Gel candles are different, and are divided into several groups:
Aquariums, Terrariums and Treasure Candles;
Beer glasses and cappuccino with foam;
Coca-Cola and other cocktails;
Rainbows, swirls, fireworks and neon lights;
Canned fruit;
Ice cream and desserts;
Festive decoration.
After that you have decided on the topic, choose a suitable glass container for the candle. Alternatively, you can take a square vase, glass, jam jar or mug.
It is better to use forms that have a diameter of at least 5 centimeters (which will prevent the flame from being too close to the edges of the vessel);
Look for a transparent or colored shape (the candle will look nice);
Your mold glass must be strong.
For cooking you will need:
Flavoring agent;
Dye.
Example of a gel candle
As an example, consider preparing an aquarium candle that will contain marine decorations.
Prepare:
Candle gel (several colors possible);
Several clean decorative items that will be inside the candle and decorate it. Since the theme is marine, you can use, for example, seashells or marine-themed toys.
1. Put the gel for the candles in a water bath;
2. use a slow fire to heat the gel to 100C;
3. fix the wick with a leg at the bottom of the mold with glue so that the wick is in the middle, which will ensure the best burning of the candle; you also need to fix the wick on top of the mold (you can use ordinary threads);
4. it's time to use decorative items that you can, as you want to spread out on the bottom of the form - of course, all of them should not be flammable; you can put several items on initial stage, and others a little later;
5. decorative items inside the candle should not be placed closer than 6 millimeters to the wick, and preferably closer to the walls of the mold so that they can be better seen;
6. before you start pouring the gel, it is advisable to warm up the mold, and this can be done with a hair dryer - this way you can get rid of the bubbles;
7. watch the temperature of the gel, and when you cool it down to 80-90C, you can start slowly pouring in the candle;
* the most the best option will be filled with layers, i.e. first, fill in a little gel and after a while, when the gel at the bottom of the mold hardens a little, you can fill in a new layer, and so on until the mold is filled;
* wait a long time if you do not want to see the boundaries of the layers;
* if you use several colors, then you can make them smoothly overflow in the form, while you also need to wait a little until the bottom layer hardens a little, otherwise the paints will mix;
8. you can use the candle in a day.
VERY IMPORTANT
* melt the wax only in a water bath and follow the instructions of the mold or wax, as the temperature at which the wax melts depends on factors such as: the quality of the wax and the shape, as well as the type of candle you want to make;
* overheating of the wax is hazardous to health and its vapor can ignite if the temperature reaches 180C;
* for extinguishing burning wax DO NOT use water- use a rag.
* use a clean and dry form;
* the souvenirs you want to decorate the candle with must be clean and non-flammable (you can wash them with warm mineral oil).
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 and devices. After reading our recommendations and detailed master classes, get down to it fascinating process maybe even beginners.
CREATING A CANDLE: GETTING STARTED
Making candles with your own hands is much easier than you might think. And the main advantage of such an occupation is necessary materials easy to get. If you look well, you will even find them in your home.
MATERIALS FOR A DIY CANDLE
Wax, stearin, or paraffin wax are best for the job. Moreover, for beginners it is better to start acquaintance with the latter, it is the least whimsical to use. You can purchase paraffin wax from the store or use leftover white candles.
WICK
It is best to use natural threads as a wick, ideally thick cotton threads. Do not try to use synthetics: such a wick will quickly burn out and leave behind an unpleasant odor. To test the thread for naturalness, just light the tip of it. If it melts, forming a solid ball at the end, you have synthetics in front of you.
If you have conceived an unusual candle and are thinking how to make an original wick for it, then use colored floss threads. It is a great and natural material.
Remember important rule: The thicker the candle, the thicker the wick should be.
It is easy to do it yourself. To do this, prepare a solution: dissolve 1 tablespoon of salt and 2 tablespoons in a glass of water boric acid... Soak a cotton thread or floss in it for 12 hours. Then dry them and twist them into a tourniquet or braid.
If this process seems tedious to you, carefully remove the wick from the finished household candle and use it.
CANDLE SHAPE
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:
Milk and juice cartons;
... plastic cups for yoghurts and desserts;
... shells from eggs;
. silicone molds for baking;
... glass goblets, wine glasses, wine glasses and glasses;
... children's pies;
... curly forms for ice cream;
... tin and glass coffee jars;
... empty cans.
The only requirement is that the mold material must withstand heating up to 100 ° C.
Another interesting option is to pour candles into beautiful transparent glasses. They will not be available, but they will look very stylish and unusual.
Sometimes scented candles are made in tangerine or orange peel. The fruit is pre-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 the paraffin in order to obtain bright decorations interior.
For lovers of candlelight, it is best and cheapest to take wax crayons for children's creativity... Looking for a special candle? Look for pearlescent crayons - your creation will be unique.
Do not try to use water-soluble gouache or watercolors - you are in for a fiasco. The dye will inevitably settle to the bottom or flocculate. Ready product will look very unpresentable.
WARE FOR MELTING PARAFFIN
In order to melt the paraffin wax, you will need a small saucepan for the steam bath and an iron bowl. Experienced craftsmen it is recommended to heat paraffin on a steam bath, considering other methods, including a microwave oven, to be fire hazardous.
We recommend that you also use this method, proven over the years, to begin with: place a bowl of paraffin in a container with boiling water. If the candle is planned to be colored, add the crayon immediately and stir the melted mass several times to obtain a uniform color.
FRAGRANCES AND DECOR
Any materials at hand are suitable for decorating candles. First, decide on the topic of your work. Pebbles and shells will effectively complement the candles in nautical style... For the New Year theme, use beads, small cones, small decorative balls, ribbons and bows. Decorate Valentine's Day candles with hearts, glitter bows, dried flowers, coffee beans, etc.
Homemade candles are best scented with essential oils, which can be purchased at your nearest pharmacy. Another option is to find vanilla cinnamon in your kitchen. It is worth adding flavors to the melted paraffin at the very end, after dyeing.
STEP-BY-STEP MASTER CLASSES
We bring to your attention a selection of available master classes that will help beginners learn the basic techniques and techniques of work. If you already know how to create candles with your own hands, you can draw interesting ideas from them to translate into your creativity.
COFFEE CANDLE
Want to create romantic mood? Light a coffee candle - its divine aroma will take away all worries, leaving only good mood and serenity. It is especially pleasant in a rainy autumn or cold winter... It is also a great gift for any occasion and even without.
* photo of Valentine
For work you will need:
... paraffin;
... whole coffee beans;
... wick;
... two plastic cups different sizes;
... wick holder - teaspoon, wooden stick, or plastic coffee stirrer.
If you don't find paraffin wax, take household candles, you can also get a wick from them.
Use a knife to crush the paraffin into small pieces to speed up the melting process. If you used store candles, gently crush them with the blunt side of your knife to avoid damaging the wick.
Put the 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 pouring mold. Into a larger plastic cup, place the smaller one after filling it with water. There should be a fairly wide space between the sides of the cups. Add coffee beans up to half the height between the sides.
Pour the melted paraffin into the mold up to the grain level, wait 10 minutes. Then pour the paraffin up to the edge of the mold and let it completely harden. This will take about an hour.
Gently 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 the melted paraffin into the middle of the candle. Place a few beans on top for decoration. Now, until the candle is completely solidified, you will have to wait 4-6 hours.
Carefully remove the frozen candle from the glass. Moreover, it can be cut with scissors to facilitate manipulation.
If you want the grain to be better visible, blow hot air from a hair dryer on the sides of the product. The paraffin will melt and the surface will become embossed.
An excellent aroma candle turned out, isn't it? Do you want to make her even more romantic? We invite you to create heart-shaped candles using the same technology, which will become an unforgettable gift for your significant other for Valentine's Day or for 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 to your home bright colors? 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 that match the colors of the rainbow.
For more information, see the detailed video tutorial. For beginners, it shows all the stages of preparing a candle mass and creating a gradient color transition.
COLORED CANDLES IN LAYERS
Spectacular colorful candles in a transparent glass will become a highlight of your interior. How to make them, see our master class illustrated with step-by-step photos.
Materials (edit)
Before making 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. It is only necessary to fill them with this material by a quarter.
Step 2. Send the glass to the microwave for 45 seconds. Get it out. Stir the wax with a wooden stick. It should melt completely, if this has not happened, send the glass to the oven for another 30 seconds.
Step 3. Dip the wick into an empty glass cup. You can attach the other end to an ice cream stick and put it on upper part a cup. This will make it easier for you to continue working. Pour some wax into a glass and wait for it to set. Thus, the wick must be fixed in the center of the cup.
Step 4. Remove the paper wrapper from the wax crayons. Rub them on a grater and add the desired color of crayons to separate cups of wax. For a third of the wax glass, add shavings of one pencil to get a fairly saturated color.
Step 5. Send a glass of colored wax to the microwave for 2.5 minutes. Take it out and add a few drops of your chosen aroma oil while stirring. You don't have to, but with oil your candles will exude a pleasant scent.
Step 6. While holding the wick, pour the first layer of colored wax into the glass. For an interesting pattern, tilt the cup at an angle and hold it in that position until the wax grabs.
Step 7. In the same way, melt the 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 a different position each time until the wax sets.
Step 8. Having formed a multi-colored candle, let the wax cool completely.
Bright and unusual candles are ready. You can use them by direct appointment or give it to friends as souvenirs.
SOURCE: http://www.rukikryki.ru/
Another one interesting idea- square multicolor candle. Wax crayons 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 for a gift to friends and family.
OPEN CANDLES
Decorative candles can be varied design, because talented masters do not get tired to amaze with their imagination and creative experiments. In support of these words, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the method of making an unusual openwork candle.
For work you will need:
... paraffin;
... optional dye and flavor;
... wick and holder for it;
... cylindrical shape;
... small ice cubes.
Melt the paraffin wax in a water bath. If the candle is supposed to be colored, color the candle mass, if you wish, you can also flavor it.
Place the wick in the mold so that it reaches the bottom of the mold. Do not forget to attach it to the top of the makeshift holder. Fill in crushed ice, not reaching a couple of centimeters to the brim.
Pour the melted candle mass into the mold. Leave the workpiece until the paraffin has cooled completely. In this case, of course, the ice will melt, and cavities will form inside the candle.
Drain the water carefully and remove the product by pulling on the wick.
Be careful, this beauty is quite fragile and requires careful handling. Such an unusual openwork candle will be a wonderful present for your family and friends. If you use paraffin wax from old candles for work, get such beauty completely free of charge.
You will receive visual instructions for action from the detailed videos of creating openwork candles. After viewing them, you can independently make such beauty at home.
Video # 1:
Video number 2:
Option number 3: And if you are wondering what to give your friends for New Year then surprise them with a handmade red openwork candle. It will become an unforgettable gift and will bring a sense of celebration to your home along with the Christmas mood. Watch the work of the master and be inspired by your own masterpieces.
MASSAGE CANDLES
The main ingredient for making a massage candle is soy wax. By adding useful components to it, you can get a product that has healing properties. It no longer acts as a decor, but as a home cosmetic product that makes the skin soft and well-groomed.
The healing properties of essential oils:
Lemon essential oil will help to rejuvenate the skin and unclog pores.
... Orange oil has an anti-cellulite effect.
... Rose oil stimulates the regeneration of skin cells and contributes to the elasticity of the skin.
... Rosemary oil can cleanse the skin of age spots and make it smooth.
... Patchouli oil does a great job of moisturizing.
... Lavender oil will delight you with its healing effect.
They also add solid vegetable oils... For example, cocoa butter is used to moisturize and tone the skin. And with its regular use, beauticians promise you smooth and delicate skin.
Exotic shea butter can save dry skin from flaking. Smooth out skin can coconut oil, rich in natural antioxidants.
General algorithm for creating a massage candle:
1. melt the wax with hard 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 until the candle has completely hardened 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 number 1
Soy wax - 85%;
... avocado and shea butter (aka shea butter) - 5% each;
... essential oil of patchouli - 2.8%;
... essential oil of ylang-ylang - 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 give yourself a rejuvenating massage. Do not be afraid to burn yourself - the melting temperature of such a candle is much lower than that of a paraffin one.
Recipe number 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 session of massage of such candles is best done before bedtime. The soothing 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 candle components. After the massage, you may feel a burning or tingling sensation due to the presence of chili in the composition.
Regular massage will help get rid of the hated " orange peel», Will make the skin soft and supple.
WE DECORATE CANDLES IN DECOUPAGE TECHNIQUE
If you don't have a dye, but want to create something bright and memorable, don't be discouraged. The simplest candle made from stubs 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 DRY FLOWERS
Dried leaves, stems and flowers will help you create an exclusive candle, which will be almost impossible to repeat. Usage natural materials limited only by the local flora and your imagination. That's when the ability to collect herbarium will come in handy to you in full.
* photo by Lyudmila Klimova
For work you will need:
... any dried flowers;
... 2 candles - for decoration and regular;
... tea spoon;
... tweezers;
... nail scissors;
... paraffin wax for the final coating.
From the dried flowers you have available, compose the composition that you want to bring to life.
Heat a teaspoon ( inside over the fire, because the spoon will turn black a little, and in order not to stain the candle - then we will carry out all the manipulations with the other side of the spoon).
Attach a dry flower to the candle to be decorated and gently iron its petals outside spoons so that they melt into the paraffin and do not stick out. Thick stems may need to be ironed several times while heating the spoon.
Excess stems that go beyond the candle, carefully cut off with scissors.
Glue the rest of the 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.
It remains to consolidate the result. Melt the paraffin in a water bath, pour it into a container into which you can completely dip the decorated candle.
Holding the candle by the wick, immerse it in the melted paraffin, set it on flat surface and let cool. If the petals were poorly smoothed and sticking out tips are still visible, repeat this procedure again.
Such an elegant candle will win any heart and will not be left without attention. Complete it with a beautiful candlestick and it will become a unique decoration for your home.
DECOUPAGE CANDLES WITH PAPER NAPKINS
The desire to decorate a candle could come instantly, but there are no dried flowers at hand. In this case, paper napkins can be dispensed with. With their help, you can easily decorate a candle for any holiday.
Choose a napkin with the pattern you want. Cut out the desired items from the 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. It is not necessary to immerse the candle in melted paraffin with this method.
Your masterpiece is ready. Make a beautiful arrangement of candles in new year style, fir branches and colored balls. It will bring a good mood and a festive atmosphere to your home.
DESIGN PHOTO IDEAS
Want even more inspiration ideas. Browse our selection decorative candles... You will definitely find one that you want to repeat immediately.
We were able to convince you that you can create unique masterpieces even from scrap materials? That is why candlelighting has become a favorite pastime for many, beginners and not only, masters.
Original form templates:
Now that you know what and how candles are made of, you can get to work. Do not try to use your favorite photo as a template and unconditional ideal. Get inspired finished works to create your own unique candles. A little effort and perseverance - and already your masterpieces will be a standard to follow.