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

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

The beautiful scented candles that we use for home decor, aromatherapy-like relaxation, seasonal decoration, romance, meditation, holiday, house warming gift or to simply make a room comfortable or cozy are, unfortunately, expensive.

That is why I started researching the Internet for information on “how-to“ do home made candles.

I was in for a surprise. Wow. So many sites, articles and products available online, that I must confess, I soon got overwhelmed with all the information displaying on the screen about the wonderful world of candle crafting.

In order to organize the collected data, I created files on my computer, sorting the different types of wax available: gel, soy, beeswax. Then listed the basic eleven types of candles shapes and sizes: taper candles, pillars, container (or jar ) candles, votives, tealights, luminaria (outdoor candles), liturgical, floating candles, novelty candles, utility and birthday candles.

Now, what about scent and color? And the equipment needed to heat the waxes? And how do I install the wicks? Much to learn and so little time available. A little voice inside could be heard saying : would it not be more advisable to buy a candle kit? With everything needed for the candle making projects all included in the box?

Eureka..said my mind in response. That is indeed a very practical solution. Yes, let’s get hold of candle kits !

Here I am, back on the Internet while the supper is cooking on the stove. Dear Google J…, how happy he will be to find me back again. He loves to search.

With his help, I was able to browse through a nice and wide variety of candle making kits . Okay now, let’s decide which one to choose. Hum, not easy. My choice finally went for :

The Complete Candlemaker Book & Kit.

Why this one? For two reasons:

First, for the promise its content projected onto my imagination that it will be the solution to my problem and will answer my desire of being able to create beautiful home made candles to decorate rooms of my home and also, to make great gifts for my friends.

Secondly, because it was offered on Amazon.com starting at $19.95 for a new kit, and up to $52.26 for a used kit. !? Am I missing something? How can a used candle kit be worth more than a new one? Especially when the MSRP is $29.95. I sent an email to the seller and awaiting the answer. I will let you know in a subsequent post.

(no answer  eceived )

It was therefore enough to catch my fancy and decided to purchase this one. I can’t wait to receive this candle kit. Per the product description, the box contains:

The Complete Candlemaker: Techniques,Projects & Inspirations by Norma Coney.

A book of 128 pages throughout which we 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 an 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 appliquéd.

This truly is a complete candlemaking book! “

Do the above not inspire you? It did for me, a timid first-timer.

In upcoming posts, I will show you how to make beautiful candles with different candle kits, from the arrival of the candle kit at the door, up till the finalized projects. With color photographs for step-by-step procedures.

And guess what?

I will start these candle making 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!

Let’s do it together. Stay tuned.

You would love to make candles but do not have time to learn all the steps and buy the supplies ?

The solution is here for you : Candle kits !

For example, the above shown candle making kit contains both a 128 pages softcover edition of Norma Coney The Complete Candlemaker. Techniques. Projects. Inspirations. book and all the ingredients needed to start making beautiful dipped and molded candles the first day you receive the box.

The art of candle making is a wonderful hobby and there are many ways to learn how to make candles. The best place to begin and the easiest way out is to start with candle kits.

They offer a wide variety of types, themes and fragrances which gives you the opportunity to create the style of candles you like best.

Many types of wax exist for making candles, so you should first decide which kind of candles you would like to make : gel candle creations, bee wax candles, pillar, votive, or aromatherapy candles, to name just a few. Then, you are only a step away of letting your personality express itself through the candle craft project of your choice.

Can you see your favourite candle holder mounted with your own candle creations? It is so rewarding ! Those gorgeous candles will decorate your home and make great gifts for family members and friends.

The art of candle making is fun and interesting as well. Get a feel of this marvelous hobby and connect with your imagination with candle kits which are by far the simplest way to make your own candles and to find out if this very creative craft appeals to you.

Everything you need to create beautiful candles is included in the kits along with detailed instructions. The candle making kits are truly a simple and effective way to master the art of candlemaking.