Candle
Making Instructions
Who says you need to pay for expensive
candle making classes to learn how to make beautiful candles?
With just a little effort and a whole lot of creativity, you
can create candles you can be proud of.
If you wish to make candles on
your own, you must first, melt wax using a double boiler at
about 200 degrees. Try using a boiler with thermostat control
for easier manipulation. If you don't have a double boiler,
you can use any can you find in your garage (but clean it first)
and a thermometer to gauge temperature. If the wax is emitting
smoke the temperature is too high. Try to keep the temperature
at a constant level for best results. Warning: wax can explode
at dangerous levels (about 390 degrees).
When the wax is completely melted,
it's time to add the dye you want. You can use any color dye
you want. As a rule, one block of dye colors about twenty pounds
of wax. Stir the dye until it is completely dissolved.
You can also add in some fragrances.
You need about 2.5 ounces of scent for every five-pound block
of wax. Be careful because some fragrances have their own color
and may affect the color of the dye you've already mixed. The
scent 'gardenia' is particularly notorious for giving a 'green'
effect. It looks great alone, but can ruin other dye colors.
Also, be careful how much scent you mix in. Too much can actually
remove paint color.
You can now pour the wax mixture
into your molds, and stick on your wicks. Let the wax cool overnight.
Expect the wax to 'sink' and create a hole down the middle -
don't panic when you see this the next day. Simply pour in additional
wax and let it cool for another 12 hours and voila -- you have
made your very own candle.
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