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 Candle
Making
Melt the Wax: Place the wax in the top of the double
boiler (of course water in the bottom) and boil. Scents: To add scent so
the candle smells as it is sitting, add a small amount (too much makes the
wax soggy) just before pouring. Too early it will cook away. To make it
smell as it burns, soak the wick briefly in the scent before dipping. You
can also do both. Prepare the Molds and Wick: While the was is melting,
using fruit concentrate cans (I think I'm going to try coffee cans too),
punch a whole in the center of the metal can bottoms with a hammer and
nail. Cut the wicks 3-4" longer than the cans. Dip them, as soon as
enough wax has melted, into the wax pot. Let them dry 1-2 minutes. Knot
one end of each wick. Thread the other ends through the holes in the cans
with the knot facing out. Tie the loose ends of wick around a pencil or
chopstick laid across the top of each can. Get the wicks centered and
taut. Secure the sticks with a long rubber band stretched around each end
under the can. Seal the bottom of each can with a spoon of wax poured over
over the knot. Allow five minutes to dry, turn right side up. Spray inside
of cans with "mold release". I'm guessing you can use
shortening or some kind of cooking spray for
this. Pour the first layer: Ladle wax into a cup, add shavings of color
for the shade you want. For layered candles, wipe out the cup and add more
wax and a different color and pour. You can try tipping the can against
something to give a slanted effect. If you are making several, pour all
the first layers at the same time. Finish pouring: Pour second layers when
the first layers are soft and warm - after they are molten but before they
are hard. Do the same with additional layers. Clean up and wait: Let sit
overnight if possible. Take out candles: Take the candles out of molds
carefully, break the wax seals on the bottoms of the cans, cut the knots,
pull the candles gently out. Clip the wick tops down to 1/2-1/4".
There are lots of ways to finish them, carving, polishing, etc... Peace!
Information from Moonlove and the Urban Pagan
http://www.oocities.org/Athens/9946/frontpage.html |
