Gel Candle Making
Gel candle making has enjoyed a surge in popularity in the past few years. It is easier than traditional candle making, requiring few ingredients and some simple instructions. The hardest decisions are ones based on personal taste: what kind of container do you want to use, do you want to add color to your gel and what scent do you want to use.
Gel wax has greatly changed the world of candle making. With its transparency the possibilities are limited only by your imagination and the speed with which it sets makes producing large numbers of candles less time consuming than with traditional candles.
Making gel candles uniquely individual is one of the most appealing aspects of the process. The only thing that has to be taken into consideration is that containers must be used, unless of course the time is taken to make unique molds as well.
Gel candles can be made using seashells from vacations, coins from travels around the world, even beer cap collections can be used to make personalized candles. They can be tinted using dyes and scented using fragrant oils.
Materials
Before you begin making the candles you need to assemble your materials. The most expensive part of the process is the gel wax itself. You will need:
- Gel wax
- Glass containers – use your imagination, shot glasses, martini glasses, fish bowls;
- Fragrant oils – if you want to add scent;
- Dye – if you want your candles colored;
- Wick – the length of which is determined by the height of your container; use wax coated wicks for gel candles, not paper wicks.
- Décor for putting in the candle if desired.
You should also have a pot or kettle to melt and pour the gel from. Camping equipment is an excellent place to find a sturdy kettle to use. It will stand up to the repeated heating.
Making Your Candles
First you need to make sure that your containers are very clean and dry. Any residue or foreign materials that remain inside the container can cause your gel wax not to set properly.
You will need to melt you gel; however, you must keep an eye on the gel as it is melting as it can reach its flash point very quickly and be on fire before you know it. Using a thermometer is the best way to insure that you don’t exceed the recommended temperature. Also, do not under any circumstances whatsoever melt the gel in the microwave, it is very dangerous.
If you are going to color your gel you can do this after the gel has melted. Test the color by pouring a small spoon of it on a sheet of white paper, if the color is darker than you want it, add more gel, if it is lighter than you want it, add more dye.
This is also the time to add fragrant oil if you want to make scented candles. Again, add more if you aren’t satisfied with the odor and if it has too much smell add more gel to the mix.
You are now ready to position your wick. The method you use will depend on how precise you want your candles to be. If you are giving them for gifts and don’t want bubbles, you will want to use the pencil method. If you are making them for yourself and don’t mind some bubbles use the easier, hot glue method.
The hot glue method entails using hot glue to secure the wick to the bottom center of the container. As the wax is poured in, it will react with the glue and cause some bubbles.
The pencil method requires filling the container with wax, dipping the wick in the wax, removing the excess wax from the wick and rolling it around a pencil. Position the pencil over the container with the wick in the center and dropping it down into the gel. When the gel cools cut the wick no longer than ¼ inch.
If you are adding embellishments to your gel candle you should dip them in wax and arrange them in the container before you pour the wax in the container. You should also arrange them closer to the outer edge to make them visible.
Enjoy
Once your candles set you are now ready to enjoy your candles. Gel candle making is not a difficult process and can make beautiful gifts to share with your friends and family, during holidays or just because you want to share your newfound talent.
Fragrant Oil Haul
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