Make Candles You Can Be Proud Of
It is not difficult for anyone, even a complete beginner, to learn how to make candle creations that are beautiful enough to sell online, at novelty shops, or at a community market. There are a few things that are necessary to any candle making venture.
Obviously, you will need wax and wicks. You’ll also need dyes and fragrances. It is important when you purchase these to ensure that the wax, dye, and fragrance oil work together. Further, when you think about how to make candle art, especially the kind that you can sell, you will have to think of unique ways to mold the candles. Basically, anything that has an interior space has the potential of being a candle mold, so this is the time to be creative. Perhaps you have several old wine glasses that are collecting dust in a cabinet. They may be perfect for a yellow or burgundy candle with a warm scent. The first rule of how to make candle creations that you can sell is that there are no rules! People have used everything from car parts to cookie cutters to make candles.
There are a few other items you will want to pick up so you can make your candle art properly. You will want to get a thermometer and a good quality heat source. You will also need to set up some type of “double boiler” where you place a pot inside of boiling or steaming water. This is a safety feature and will keep your wax form scorching or burning up. You will need a scale that is accurate to measuring in grams, and probably most importantly you need a recipe. You will need to know the correct ratios of wax to fragrance to dye. This ratio will allow you to make nice candle that hold together and smell nice when burning. You need to make sure your ingredients are compatible, and a good recipe will cover this. You can find good recipes online or in crafts stores. It is a good idea to stay with these recipes when you are starting out, and can changes things out and experiment a little later in your candle making career.
Once you have a good recipe and mold selected, you are well on your way. You are now following a process that is similar to baking a cake. You just add your ingredients in the right amount and the right order. You need to make sure you measure out your wax to the gram, and use only the right amount of fragrance and dye. This will keep your costs down, and will help you avoid making a big mess of your craft area.
You will find as you make a few batches of candles, you will learn there are tricks of the trade. You will find how to get your fragrance and dye into the wax without making a huge mess. You may want to get a small syringe (without needle) to add these ingredients. You will find what works for you. You will also learn to use the tools you have available in your home. Over time you will develop a process that works for you.
It is very important to monitor your wax temperature at all times. That is why you want to make sure you have a good thermometer that is easy to read. You want to keep your wax temperature stable and in the 170 to 220 degree range. If you do not keep your temperature stable, your wax will break down. You may actually ruin it, so really watch this close. Learning how to make high quality, cost effective candles can be rewarding and enjoyable. Use your creativity and energy to make some nice candle, and you can be in the candle business in a few short weeks.
Our author Pat McTigue is a long time student of candle making . For more great information on candle making, visit http://www.candlemakingsuccessplan.com/how-to-make-candles/.
