Let’s now take a look at other useful tools.
In order to complete the two candlemaking projects in The Complete Candlemaker Book & Kit, you will find below a list of some materials not included in the kit but that you may need:
- Double-boiler set-up ( note 1 )
- Dipping vat ( note 2 )
Those of us that share a passion for candle making tend to have a preference for either gel candle or soy candle amongst other kind of wax.
What is the difference between gel and soy candles ?
The term gel in candle crafting applies to wax which is actually mineral oil thicken by a special polymer which transforms the oil to a clear, see-thru, slow burning candle. This transparence is a unique characteristic.
The term soy in candle crafting applies to wax produced by hydrogenated soybean oil. That is why it is called a natural wax.
What attributes of gel candles and soy candles can impact on our decision when it comes to choose?
Well, soy candles had the reputation to flake, crumble, and discolor while not every fragrance oil was compatible with gel candles.
Soy wax does not give an equal deep scent but the natural and clean burn is a satisfactory ecologic alternative. As for gel wax, you can create original themes by adding decorative embedments. Makes your imagination run wild.
Bottom line, it is really a question of what suits your taste and your personality, because each type of wax has a balanced pro and con chart.
For a truly creative hands on experience in candle making, there is one book that I think every serious candlemaker must have: The Complete Candlemaker: Techniques,Projects & Inspirations by Norma Coney.
Throughout the 128 pages, you will learn to make :
” 40 kinds of gorgeous candles, from hand-dipped to tie-dyed, from molded to marbleized, from carved to appliqué ! It’s fun and easy.
This book provides everything you need to know to make your own beautiful candles.Guided by clear instructions and how to color photography, you’ll soon know how to:
- find and use the necessary equipment
- select wicks, waxes and additives
- choose and care for candle molds
- perform magic with fragrance and color
- practice work safety
Learn to make a dazzling array of candles, including container, molded, hand-dipped,rolled beeswax, chunk, tie-dyed,hurricane, votive, interior decorated, water, sand, floating, cut and curl,overdipped, marbleized, stippled, embossed, carved, and appliqued.
This truly is a complete candlemaking book. ”
It will inspire even the timid first-timer. And the best part of it all is that this book is included in the beautiful and unique candle kit multi-projects =>: The Complete Candlemaker Book & Kit .
In following articles, I will show you how to make candles with different candle kits, from the arrival of the candle kit at the door, up till the finalized project . All with color photographs showing the step by step procedure.
And guess what ?
I will start these candle kits sessions with The Complete Candlemaker Book & Kit . 
Just imagine…you want to prepare a candlelight dinner for your sweetheart, with roses, love and wine. The easy way to get what you need for this romantic dinner…is to start creating the candles !
We will do it together…:-)
Stay tuned …
Janice
Every shape and size imaginable can be found in candles and the following terms describes the more common candle styles. <b> Read the rest of this entry »
Ready for a fun candle making project?
Ok, let’s see how it works.
For this tutorial, we will experiment the art of candle making with “The Complete Candlemaker Book & Kit“, an original Lark Kit which I ordered last August 13th from Amazon.
See my post dated August 8 for details on the product. Front cover picture is different, but it’s the same kit.
This being my first hands-on experience in the candle making craft, you can imagine my impatience to receive the candle kit!
Seven days later….the postman rang the doorbell and greeted me with a smile. “A package for you “. Exciting moment…wow.
Isn’t this box cover inspiring? Can’t wait to start creating candles like these!
Let’s fill our home with candlelight
UNPACKING THE KIT
First come first: let’s unpack the kit and lay everything in front of us in order to get familiar with the contents.
What do we have in here ? - 3.5 lbs of paraffin wax - 1 dipping dowel - 4 colors of dye chips - 3 yards of wick - 6 metal weights - 1 block vanilla candle fragrance
- 1 reusable rubber candle mold in shape of bee-hive
- 4 pages of Instructions - 1 copy of The Complete Candlemaker book by Norma Coney
This book is full of gorgeous pictures and contains several candle projects other than the ones we wil be making with this kit. In following posts, I will scan some pages from it to show you the beauty of the pictures and the informative chapters.
In next post, we will talk about the additional material needed to complete the two projects of The Complete Candlemaker Kit which are : Hand-Dipped Tapers and Bee-Hive Votives.
Stay tuned !
Janice
Do not throw them away as they can be turned into new supply to create another beautiful candle. And if you have different colored pieces of wax, you can make multicolored candles by melting the wax separately and pouring into molds in layers.
Sandra Williams, CraftGossip Candle Editor, in her article ” Create Colorful Chunk Candles” shows how to create colorful chunk candles with the few wax bits lying around.
Brilliant idea and so easy to do : ” The hardest part of making this chunk candle for me was the waiting.”
Click here to read the article. Another original project to add to your Candle Projects Log Book .
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