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Preserved Flower Candles
Author: michelle gauthier
Preserved Flower Candles
Putting flowers in your candle will add a unique look, while preserving your favorite flower.
Written by Expressive Candles
We have been asked many times, how to put flowers and other objects on the outside of a candle. So, we'll be showing you how it is done. The most important thing to remember is to be safe. Putting anything on your candle such as paint, dried flowers, ribbon and other objects, pose a fire risk. While this is unlikely to happen with this project, we need to warn you before hand. We do not recommend burning any candle that has flammable material on it.
To start with, you will need a few supplies. First and the most important is a big pillar candle, at least 3" in diameter. This will help keep the flame out of reach of anything you put on the candle. You will also need to have a small white votive, or the same color votive as your pillar, an old pan to melt wax in, a paint brush, dried flowers or herbs and ribbon.
Candle making is an art, and requires exact precision in the melting process of the wax. Luckily you do not have to be exact in this project. Place the votive in your old pot; you will not be able to use this pot for food ever again. Next place the heat on Low Medium to Medium heat, DO NOT HEAT ON HIGH. The only thing we want to accomplish here is to melt the wax down to a liquid. As soon as the last solid piece melts, is when you turn the heat down to low.
Next, select what you will want to put on your candle. If you are using flowers and leaves, make sure they have been pressed. Take the paint brush and paint some melted wax onto the candle where you wish to place the flower. Place the flower on the wax before it hardens. The wax will harden quickly, securing the flower in place. Repeat this step for the leaves as well.
Another great idea is to place a picture on the candle using the method of painting the wax onto the candle. You can use many different things, but they must be flat.
After placing all your flowers and leaves onto the candle, we will need to seal the. The wax in your pot may have hardened some, so heat it on Medium Low to get the wax melted again. Brush the entire candle with wax. This will seal the flowers in place and give it a smooth finish. You might have to apply several coats. But if you use a picture, do not brush over it, this will ruin the picture and you will not be able to see the picture clearly.
Last you can tie a ribbon around your candle to top it off. Another idea is to use the melted wax and paint small metal beads onto the candle for further embellishment.
This project can be done in many different ways, using anything from flowers, herbs, pictures to beads and glitter. But keep in mind the safety of your candle. We recommend not burning candles with flammable materials on them. If you do decide to burn these candles, use large pillars, as the sides of the candle tend not to burn down. Have fun and Enjoy.

This Article was written by Michelle Gauthier – info@expressivecandles.com
03/03/04 – This article is copyright by www.ExpressiveCandles.com.
Expressive Candles offers Scented Hand Poured Candles and a growing collection of Candle Decorating and CandleScaping articles.

About the Author

This Article was written by Michelle Gauthier – info@expressivecandles.com
03/03/04 – This article is copyright by www.ExpressiveCandles.com.
Expressive Candles offers Scented Hand Poured Candles and a growing collection of Candle Decorating and CandleScaping articles.

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Candles
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How to make candles
Author: Jennifer Hall
Making homemade candles can be a fun hobby, whether making them as gifts or for yourself to enjoy. Candle making usually requires some experimentation, but when you discover how to make those perfect candles, it's well worth the effort.

There are a few basic supplies needed for making most candles:

wax
wicks
mold or containers
wax melter
candle making thermometer
fragrances
dyes
putty for molds

First decide on a wax you would like to start with, there are three different kinds to choose from: paraffin wax, soy wax, and beeswax. Paraffin wax is most commonly used in candles, this wax is found at most candle making stores. Soy wax is all natural, made from soybeans, and cleans up easily with soap and water. Beeswax is all natural too, and making beeswax candles is often easiest because you simply wrap a sheet of beeswax tightly around a wick then seal it with your thumb, which means no melting is required.

To begin, spread newspapers around the candle making area. First you melt your paraffin or soy wax and it must be double-boiled. Usually you place a large pot that is about half-filled with water on a burner over low-medium heat, place a melter in the water, then gradually place wax pieces into the melter. When the wax has melted, you can add coloring or fragrance as desired.

To make molded candles, cut the wick two inches taller than you want the candle to be, then thread it through the hole at the bottom of the mold, then plug the outside of the hole with putty. Place a pencil or similar item over the top of the mold and tie the top of the wick to it, centering the wick. If the mold is cardboard, plastic, or glass, heat the wax to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. If the mold is metal, then heat the wax to 190 degrees. You can use a candle or candy thermometer to measure this. When the right temperature is reached, lift the melter by the handle and slowly pour the wax into the mold. Let cool for twelve hours then refrigerate for twelve more hours, then your candle is ready to be removed.

To make votives and other small container candles, you can use pre-tabbed wicks by simply placing them in the center of the votive candle molds or containers, then pour the wax mixture over and let stand for twelve hours, refrigerating the votives.

About the Author

Jennifer Hall is a writer who provides information on shopping online for http://www.candles-4-u.com/scented_candles.htm http://www.candles-4-u.com/candle_making.htm and http://www.candles-4-u.com/candle_holders.htm When she's not online, Jennifer's spending time with her family, gardening, or playing the piano or accordion.

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scentedcandle-12

Candles
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Embossed Votive Holder Shade
Author: Michelle Gauthier
Embossed Votive Holder Shade
Create the look of a Stained Glass Votive Holder

Supplies Needed:
Most items can be found in the Scrap booking/Stamping section of your local craft store.
Straight-Sided Clear Glass Votive Holder
Vellum
Craft Markers of various colors
Hole Punch
Decorative String
Embossing Powder in your choice of color
Versamark Ink Pad
Embossing Heat Tool
Scissors
Tape Measure or Ruler

1. Measure the height and circumference of your Glass votive holder with a tape measure or ruler. Use these

measurements to cut out a piece of vellum. It is important to make sure that the vellum does not extend past the

top of the votive holder because this will increase the risk of a fire hazard.

2. After you have planned your design with your stamp(s), use the Versamark ink to stamp the design onto the

vellum. At this point the design will be clear.

3. Now sprinkle the embossing powder onto the stamped design. Turn the vellum upright and make sure all stray

powder has been shaken or tapped off. Also make sure that your entire design has been covered in powder. You

will be able to see this because the embossing powder will stick to the design that you stamped with the

Versamark inkpad.

4. Use your Embossing Heat Tool to heat the powder. But be careful because the heat tool can get VERY hot! You

will now have a beautiful raised design of the stamp you chose! Let cool for 1-2 minutes.

5. Now you can just color inside of the design on the opposite side of the vellum. Darker Colors look better for this

as they give a bolder appearance when the candle is lit. Allow to dry for approximately 5 minutes or the colors may

smear.

6. Finally, use your hole punch to make holes in the center of the shortest sides of the vellum. Run your string

through these holes and tie around your votive holder!

And, VOILE! A One-of-Kind Votive Shade that was fun and inexpensive to make! You can find more candle

decorating ideas at www.ExpressiveCandles.com

This Article was written by Michelle Gauthier of www.ExpressiveCandles.com. Michelle owns and runs Expressive

Candles. They offer hand poured scented candles and shaped tarts. Michelle also has written other candle

decorating articles, tips and candlescaping articles.

"Optional Image for Article: http://www.expressivecandles.com/emailnewletter/votivecovers.jpg "

About the Author

This Article was written by Michelle Gauthier of www.ExpressiveCandles.com. Michelle owns and runs Expressive Candles. They offer hand poured scented candles and shaped tarts. Michelle also has written other candle decorating articles, tips and candlescaping articles.

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Candles
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Gel Candles - An Alternative To Wax Candles
Author: Wendy Yeager
Gel candles are basically made from a combination of polymer resin and mineral oil. Gel candles make a beautiful gift for friends, family, or for yourself. Gel candles can add a touch of elegance to your home decor. They come in many different shapes, sizes, and scents. Gel candles can be found in fruit jars with labels or gift tags, in fancy glass bowls, wine glasses, and mugs. You can even dress up your gel candle jars with ceramic shades to make them look like a miniature lamp. Many times gel candles come decorated with miniature shapes embedded within them. A wide variety of scents are available also, from lilac to peanut butter cup. If you enjoy the aroma of fresh baked pies and goodies, then you have to try one of the many gel candles that are shaped and scented like blueberry, apple or strawberry pie or fresh baked cinnamon rolls. You can enjoy the aroma of fresh baked goodies in your kitchen without all the work!

Are you looking for a new hobby? Why not try making your own gel candles? You can purchase everything you need to make your own. There are even kits available which include all of the supplies you will need to design your own candle. These kits include instructions, pre-made gel, wicks, labels, embeds, dye, scents, and jars.

Pre-made gel is sold in three different densities – low, medium, and high grade. The medium grade is the most popular because it allows for more fragrance and is a firm gel that works in most projects. The high grade costs more, but allows for even more fragrance and you can embed heavier objects into the gel candles.

You can be creative and add more character to your gel candles by including embeds. Embeds are shapes made of very hard wax or glass or other non-flammable objects. They can be added to gel candles as you are making them. There are many shapes to choose from, including: fruit slices, candy corn, peppermint candies, dolphins, goldfish, hearts, shells, and many, many more. Add some sparkle to your gel candles by including some glitter.

There are also many colors to choose from to dye the gel. You can use an oil based liquid or peel off slivers from dye blocks. Also, choose from many different fragrance oils to add delicious aromas to your gel candles. Some of the exhilarating scents include: strawberry, sugar plum, red hot cinnamon, root beer, banana, bubble gum, carnation, tulips, lilacs, etc.

So, you can enjoy a wide variety of gel candles and supplies, whether you purchase pre-made candles or would like to create your own.

About the Author

About The Author

Wendy Yeager
Publisher
http://www.wenmarcorp.com/candles-go2/gel.html

Publish in Whole

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