Posts Tagged ‘Votive Candles’
How to Make Gel Candles
How to make gel candles is both very similar and very different from making wax candles. While the same general supplies are needed, such as a thermometer, a melting container, wicks, etc., gel candles also need some special treatment.
If you read the page on gel candle supplies, you know, for example, that a gel candle uses a specific type of fragrance, called non-polar. And not using the correct fragrance could indeed cause you big candle problems.
Wicks are also a little different for gel candles; a cored wick with a tab is the best, because a regular wick won't be able to stand up to the gel (or in the gel, for that matter).
And then there are the fun things -- the gel candle insets! From found objects like seashells to realistic-looking wax fruits for "food" candles, the inserts are part of the creative joy!
Materials Needed
Here is a very basic list of the gel candle making supplies you will need:
- Thermometer -- the candy-making kind that measures to at least 300 degrees.
- Pot in which to melt the gel, preferably with a spout of some kind.
- Candle gel.
- Cored wick that has a wick tab; zinc core is the best for gel.
- Container for your candle.
Optionals are the neat stuff! These are what make making gel candles so much fun. They include:
- Non-polar fragrance, preferably one that's colorless (or it will cloud the gel).
- Dye that is compatible with gel candles; liquid dye is preferable, as solid dye may cloud your gel. You only need a teeny-tiny bit -- one drop of liquid dye can color 1 pound of gel!
- Safe inserts. Stick with non-flammables, obviously. Small seashells make a nice start.
- Sticky tabs, used to anchor your wick tabs in your container.
A Note About Supplies
If you're brand new to gel candles, consider buying a kit, as opposed to buying things seperately. It really is safer.
I was just at a major craft store and took a look at their offerings for how to make gel candles.
I saw gel, wicks, fragrance, dye. But nowhere was there any kind of label to tell me what kind of wick went with the gel, what dyes were best to use, and nothing about fragrance -- was it safe?
So...I really do think you're best off getting a kit in the beginning, to make sure you have what you need for making gel candles - safely!
Basics: How to Make Gel Candles
In essence, it's a matter of first melting the gel candle wax to between 205 and 215 degrees.
While the gel is heating (and it does take time), you anchor your wicks in your containers. You can use sticky tabs (preferably) or a little hot glue from a glue gun (which might or might not cause gel clouding).
Add your dye at any point once the gel is liquid, and your fragrance just before you are ready to pour the gel.
Resources: Books
Do you find it much easier to sit down with a book, than read from a computer screen? If so, here are two excellent books on making gel candles:
Gel Candles: 40 Creative Projects
The Complete Guide to Gel Candlemaking: Learn How to Create Beautiful, Scented Gel Candle Designs in Just a Few Easy Steps
Tags: Soy Candles
Soy candles are very popular these days. They are clean-burning, hold a fragrance well and come in many colors, shapes and sizes.
Let's take a closer look at scented soy candles; how they are made, advantages/disadvantages, shapes and your options for buying.
Soy candles are very popular these days. They are clean-burning, hold a fragrance well and come in many colors, shapes and sizes
Let's take a closer look at scented soy candles; how they are made, advantages/disadvantages, shapes and your options for buying.
How They are Made
As you probably know, these candles are made from the humble soybean. It's produced by hydrogenating the soybean oil, to that it remains stiff at room temperature.
Soy wax is relatively recent on the market, being introduced in 1993. Its creator, Michael Richards, was looking for a cheaper alternative to the popular natural wax of the day - beeswax.
Mr. Richards succeeded, and today soy candles are extremely popular.
Advantages
The biggest advantage is scent! They are somtimes called triple-scented because of the amount of fragrance they can hold -- far more than paraffin or beeswax, and virtually almost as much as natural candles.
Soy candles have a low melting point, but a long burn time with the proper wick. Also, the wax itself is sootless, and the only soot produced is from the wick and fragrance itself (a very small amount).
Soy wax also has a very easy cleanup, should you spill some -- all it takes is soap and water!
Disadvantages
Soy's low melting point is also a disadvantage; pillar and especially taper shapes can deform in the burning process, or even in the hot sun. However, soy wax blends can allow for soy pillar candles.
Although rare, if you are extremely sensitive to soy products the burning wax may effect you. You'd have to be extremely sensitive, though, for it to have an effect.
Fragranced Jar Candles, Pillars, Votives
As mentioned in the disadvantages section, tapers and pillars are not the best shapes. If you indeed want to burn a pillar, choose a short wide one, and make sure the base you place it on has some depth to catch the drips.
Your other option is to choose a pillar made with a mixture with another type of wax -- paraffin is a common option.
Fragranced jar candles, as well as votives, are better choices for burning soy waxes. The containers help keep the melted wax where it needs to be -- close to the wick. Not running down the side. Check out more about soy votive candles.
Where to Buy
As with all candles, you can find soy just about anywhere -- malls, candle shops and online. Be an informed consumer, though, with the following thoughts:
A candle can be labled soy but also have other ingredients. For example, a candle can be mostly paraffin with perhaps 20% and it can still be labeled as soy wax. If you want 100%, look for that on the label.
Look at the label for the candle burning suggestions, especially on fragranced jar candles. You can burn soy longer, on average, than candles made with paraffin blended in. But you may be surprised at some of the restrictions you might see.
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 Soy Wax 125 For Candle Making US $4.50 |
 Lavendar Scented Soy Wax Candle in Decorative Box  US $16.95
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 8ozhomemade soy candle lot of 6 vanilla lovers US $19.99
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Scented Votive Candles
Scented votive candles are a wonderful way to test out different fragrances. Although smaller than pillars or jars, these small wonders can still provide an enjoyable aroma. And if you can find triple-scented candles in votive size, that's an even bigger treat!
Votives tend to come in one general shape (a round cross-section), but the sizes may vary a wee bit.
Choosing Your Candle's Wax
Votives are wonderful because they can handle any kind of candle wax easily. The wax melts and fills the votive holder, so your biggest concern is getting the right size holder.
Glass Votive Candle Holders
The ideal glass votive holder will fit the candle snugly, or perhaps with a little space around the sides. The holders shown in this photo are maybe a little large, but adequate.
What you don't want is a holder that swallows the scented votive candle. The reason? When the wax melts, it first tries to form a pool near the wick. When that overflows, it runs down the side. If there is too much room, the candle flattens, exposing more wick, causing it to burn faster, etc.
Other Holder Information
A thick ceramic is useful for the candles, but please don't use anything very thin (glass or ceramic). The reason? The glass can get very hot, and if it's stressed enough, it can shatter. So please, although they are indeed pretty, don't burn votives in champagne glasses.
Scented Votive Candles - What Kind?
If you want the most fragrance from your candles, choose triple-scented. Lacking that, choose soy votive candles or other vegetable wax. Paraffin candles really don't give you much fragrance.
As as experiment, I have some (paraffin) votives from several years ago, still wrapped up tightly to preserve the scent (they smelled great when I unwrapped them). I placed two in my office. I burned them for a short while yesterday. I walked in here this morning and there was no scent, not even from the wax itself, unless I brought it up to my nose.
On the other hand, I have a tiny sample (about 1/8 ounce) of triple-scented candle wax, and that when I open the tiny bag, fills the whole room with scent.
Votives for Decoration
If you are wanting votives for a dinner table decoration and plan to burn them, you may actually want an unscented candle. The reason? So that the scent of the candles doesn't conflict with the tastes and smells of the food.
On the other hand, if you plan to burn the votives for decoration, but not at a dinner table (at least not when eating), then richly scented votive candles may be just what you need.
If you haven't looked already, check out the burning a candle page, for tips on a longer candle life.
Enjoy using your votives!