OVER-DIPPING IN ICE COLD WATER
If you dip the candle in uncoloured wax heated to 88 degrees C (190 degrees F) and then plunge it immediately into a bucket of ice cold water, a square crystal formation will decorate the outside of the candle.
HAMMERING
Using a round headed hammer you can build up a pattern of white edged craters around the candle.
SANDPAPERING
Gently rub the candle, either using a very fine sandpaper, which gives an almost silken finish, or a coarser sandpaper, which gives the candle a more rustic appearance.
EMBEDDING OBJECTS
There are two basic methods for embedding objects into the sides of candles. The first, and simplest, is to use wax glue. This is shown in the project on CANDLE WITH BARK SURROUND. The second method is to soften the outside of the candle by immersing it in a bath of warm wax until it is soft, then take it out and press the objects into the soft exterior.
You can also dip the finished candle into clear wax, just to fix the items, such as appliqued numbers or letters, a little more firmly. If this final dip covers up the objects too much, carefully scrape away the excess from the surface of the decorations.
CANDLE VARNISH
This is a special varnish that will give the candle a hard surface and a brilliant shine. It should be painted onto the candle using a soft brush. Varnish has been used in the project on CARVED TAPER CANDLES
GOLD AND SILVER WAX
This rub-on coloured wax is easy to use and produces very satisfying results.
POSTER PAINTS
These paints can be used to decorate candles. Dilute them slightly with washing-up liquid to make them easier to apply. You can also experiment with other types of paint - the general rule is that water-based paint will adhere to wax successfully.
FELT-TIPPED PENS
It is well worth experimenting with felt-ripped and metallic pens. Some brands can be used on candles very successfully, whilst others do not produce good results.
HEART-PATTERENED CANDLE
This candle has been decorated by dipping a candle twice into a can of wax that has been dyed red. While the wax is still warm, use a cake cutter to remove the heart shape from the red wax, leaving a white heart exposed.
HOW TO BURN CANDLES SAFELY AND CLEANLY
POSITIONING CANDLES
Ensure candles are placed safety in your room. They should be put well away from other objects. Be especially careful not to put them on shelving where they might light the shelf above. Do not place candles where dripping wax could cause damage. Candle wax is very difficult to remove from the inside of televisions!
CHOOSING CANDLE HOLDERS
It is important that any candle holder you use should sit steadily and that it is not made from inflammable materials.
NEVER LEAVE A CANDLE UNATTENDED
It is extremely dangerous to leave burning candles unattended. Always make sure that all candles are extinguished if you leave the room and take extra care if there are young children present.
KEEP THE WICK TRIMMED
Sometimes the wick on a candle becomes too long and the candle begins to smoke. If the flame is not rounded but flares out at the top, the wick needs trimming. You can trim the wick with a pair of scissors whilst it is still burning.
KEEP THE WICK CENTERED
In large diameter candles the wick does not always go straight down the middle. Keep an eye on it and if it appears to be on one side, push it into the centre again using a small stick or match stick.
POSITION OUT OF A DRAUGHT
No candle will burn well when it is placed in a draught. Always place your candles in sheltered positions.
GET THE MOST OUT OF THE CANDLE FLAME
If you want the most light from your candles, place them in front of mirrors so the light is reflected.
CANDLE HINTS AND TIPS
REFILLING A REFILLABLE CANDLE
When using a candle that is designed to burn down the middle and then be refilled with a nightlight or wax when a well has formed, it is important that you burn it correctly to create the well. Light the candle and burn until the wax has melted to a diameter of about 4.5 cm (1 3/4 in). When the pool of wax is about 3mm (1/8 in) deep, extinguish the candle and pour out the molten wax.
Re-light the candle and trim the wick. Repeat these steps until the candle has burnt down far enough to refill with a nightlight or wax.
PLACING A CANDLE ON A METAL SPIKED HOLDER
If you push a candle down directly onto a spiked holder it may split. To avoid this, heat the spike with a match or cigarette lighter flame before you push the candle onto it.
PUTTING CANDLES IN THE FRIDGE
Leave your candles in the fridge for several hours before you burn them. This will harden the wax and they will burn longer. This is particularly useful if you live in a very warm climate.
HOW TO PUT CANDLES OUT
When extinguishing a container candle, a refillable candle or any candle where a large well of wax has melted in the middle, never simply blow the candle out. The wick may well sink into the molten well and be impossible to retrieve when you want to re-light the candle. Instead, using a match stick or pencil, push the wick down into the wax, and then lift it up again so it is ready for re-lighting.
WORKING SAFELY
Candle making is a safe and enjoyable hobby, but wax will ignite when it is overheated so it is essential that you follow these guidelines.
If wax is heated above 100 degrees c (212 degrees F) it will ignite, so:
If you dip the candle in uncoloured wax heated to 88 degrees C (190 degrees F) and then plunge it immediately into a bucket of ice cold water, a square crystal formation will decorate the outside of the candle.
HAMMERING
Using a round headed hammer you can build up a pattern of white edged craters around the candle.
SANDPAPERING
Gently rub the candle, either using a very fine sandpaper, which gives an almost silken finish, or a coarser sandpaper, which gives the candle a more rustic appearance.
EMBEDDING OBJECTS
There are two basic methods for embedding objects into the sides of candles. The first, and simplest, is to use wax glue. This is shown in the project on CANDLE WITH BARK SURROUND. The second method is to soften the outside of the candle by immersing it in a bath of warm wax until it is soft, then take it out and press the objects into the soft exterior.
You can also dip the finished candle into clear wax, just to fix the items, such as appliqued numbers or letters, a little more firmly. If this final dip covers up the objects too much, carefully scrape away the excess from the surface of the decorations.
CANDLE VARNISH
This is a special varnish that will give the candle a hard surface and a brilliant shine. It should be painted onto the candle using a soft brush. Varnish has been used in the project on CARVED TAPER CANDLES
GOLD AND SILVER WAX
This rub-on coloured wax is easy to use and produces very satisfying results.
POSTER PAINTS
These paints can be used to decorate candles. Dilute them slightly with washing-up liquid to make them easier to apply. You can also experiment with other types of paint - the general rule is that water-based paint will adhere to wax successfully.
FELT-TIPPED PENS
It is well worth experimenting with felt-ripped and metallic pens. Some brands can be used on candles very successfully, whilst others do not produce good results.
HEART-PATTERENED CANDLE
This candle has been decorated by dipping a candle twice into a can of wax that has been dyed red. While the wax is still warm, use a cake cutter to remove the heart shape from the red wax, leaving a white heart exposed.
HOW TO BURN CANDLES SAFELY AND CLEANLY
POSITIONING CANDLES
Ensure candles are placed safety in your room. They should be put well away from other objects. Be especially careful not to put them on shelving where they might light the shelf above. Do not place candles where dripping wax could cause damage. Candle wax is very difficult to remove from the inside of televisions!
CHOOSING CANDLE HOLDERS
It is important that any candle holder you use should sit steadily and that it is not made from inflammable materials.
NEVER LEAVE A CANDLE UNATTENDED
It is extremely dangerous to leave burning candles unattended. Always make sure that all candles are extinguished if you leave the room and take extra care if there are young children present.
KEEP THE WICK TRIMMED
Sometimes the wick on a candle becomes too long and the candle begins to smoke. If the flame is not rounded but flares out at the top, the wick needs trimming. You can trim the wick with a pair of scissors whilst it is still burning.
KEEP THE WICK CENTERED
In large diameter candles the wick does not always go straight down the middle. Keep an eye on it and if it appears to be on one side, push it into the centre again using a small stick or match stick.
POSITION OUT OF A DRAUGHT
No candle will burn well when it is placed in a draught. Always place your candles in sheltered positions.
GET THE MOST OUT OF THE CANDLE FLAME
If you want the most light from your candles, place them in front of mirrors so the light is reflected.
CANDLE HINTS AND TIPS
REFILLING A REFILLABLE CANDLE
When using a candle that is designed to burn down the middle and then be refilled with a nightlight or wax when a well has formed, it is important that you burn it correctly to create the well. Light the candle and burn until the wax has melted to a diameter of about 4.5 cm (1 3/4 in). When the pool of wax is about 3mm (1/8 in) deep, extinguish the candle and pour out the molten wax.
Re-light the candle and trim the wick. Repeat these steps until the candle has burnt down far enough to refill with a nightlight or wax.
PLACING A CANDLE ON A METAL SPIKED HOLDER
If you push a candle down directly onto a spiked holder it may split. To avoid this, heat the spike with a match or cigarette lighter flame before you push the candle onto it.
PUTTING CANDLES IN THE FRIDGE
Leave your candles in the fridge for several hours before you burn them. This will harden the wax and they will burn longer. This is particularly useful if you live in a very warm climate.
HOW TO PUT CANDLES OUT
When extinguishing a container candle, a refillable candle or any candle where a large well of wax has melted in the middle, never simply blow the candle out. The wick may well sink into the molten well and be impossible to retrieve when you want to re-light the candle. Instead, using a match stick or pencil, push the wick down into the wax, and then lift it up again so it is ready for re-lighting.
WORKING SAFELY
Candle making is a safe and enjoyable hobby, but wax will ignite when it is overheated so it is essential that you follow these guidelines.
If wax is heated above 100 degrees c (212 degrees F) it will ignite, so:
- Never leave heating wax unattended.
- Always heat the wax over indirect heat. Use either a double saucepan with the bottom half filled with water and wax in the top half or a bowl over a saucepan of hot water.
- Make sure the water does not boil dry.
- If you do have a fire, do not use water to put it out. wax fires should be treated the same way as an oil fire. You should switch off the heat source and the smother the flames with a saucepan lid, damp cloth or with a special fire blanker.
WORKING CLEANLY
Always wear an apron when candle making. If you do get any wax on your clothes, place some tissue or newspaper over the wax and run a hot iron over it. Keep doing this until no more wax appears on the paper.
Try and work in such a way that the potential problem of wax spillage is minimised. It is a good idea to cover your kitchen surface with newspaper before you start. Also, for added security, place your prepared candle moulds in a deep baking tray to catch the wax in case the mould leaks. Holding a tray under the jug as you pour minimises the drips.
If you do spill wax, it will usually come off a kitchen surface quite easily when it has cooled. A paint scraper or spatula is the easiest implement for this.
Be very careful never to pour wax down the kitchen sink as it will harden and block the drain. If this happens, try pouring boiling water down the sink. If that fails, call a plumber. If you are making candles near the sink, it is safer simply to put the plug in.
Keep your moulds and equipment clean. In most cases the wax will come out of its container easily when it contracts. If you are left with a wax residue, wash the container in very hot soapy water, making sure that you keep the hot tap running and that only a little wax goes down the plug hole.
White spirit is an excellent cleaner and will dissolve small drops of wax. One word of caution - some of the dyes, particularly pink and purple, are very powerful and if they come into contact with plastic it is almost impossible to get them out.
Foil containers and bowls are excellent for keeping pieces of leftover wax. You can also use them for topping up and for chip candles.
Always wear an apron when candle making. If you do get any wax on your clothes, place some tissue or newspaper over the wax and run a hot iron over it. Keep doing this until no more wax appears on the paper.
Try and work in such a way that the potential problem of wax spillage is minimised. It is a good idea to cover your kitchen surface with newspaper before you start. Also, for added security, place your prepared candle moulds in a deep baking tray to catch the wax in case the mould leaks. Holding a tray under the jug as you pour minimises the drips.
If you do spill wax, it will usually come off a kitchen surface quite easily when it has cooled. A paint scraper or spatula is the easiest implement for this.
Be very careful never to pour wax down the kitchen sink as it will harden and block the drain. If this happens, try pouring boiling water down the sink. If that fails, call a plumber. If you are making candles near the sink, it is safer simply to put the plug in.
Keep your moulds and equipment clean. In most cases the wax will come out of its container easily when it contracts. If you are left with a wax residue, wash the container in very hot soapy water, making sure that you keep the hot tap running and that only a little wax goes down the plug hole.
White spirit is an excellent cleaner and will dissolve small drops of wax. One word of caution - some of the dyes, particularly pink and purple, are very powerful and if they come into contact with plastic it is almost impossible to get them out.
Foil containers and bowls are excellent for keeping pieces of leftover wax. You can also use them for topping up and for chip candles.
No comments:
Post a Comment