Make Scented Candles: Aromatic Candles Sell!
Perhaps the most popular type of candle on the market today is the scented candle. Not only do scented candles add beauty and atmosphere to your home, they also make your space smell nice. Smell is the most powerful sense that humans have because it is the only sense that has a direct pathway to the brain.
To make scented candles, you need a few basics. Of course you’ll need wax, molds, wicks and fragrances but how do you select the fragrance? Well, that will largely depend on the purpose of those candles. For instance, if you are just making candles that will smell good and look good, then you can use commercially available fragrances that are chemically based. However, if you want to make scented candles to use for aromatherapy, you will need to use pure essential oils or you won’t get the benefits.
There is a lot of experimentation involved when making scented candles. Just like baking, you will be using a formula to make scented candles, instead of just guessing. This will ensure that each batch of candles will be uniform, bringing your customers back again and again because they know that they will always get a quality product.
When you begin your scented candle making, keep a log of each batch you make and be sure to note things like the type of wax and the amount of scent and color used. Also note things like how well the candle burns and what the candle smells like when it burns. It is common for scented candles to smell differently when burned than they do when they are made. This way, when you want to make scented candles again in that particular fragrance, you won’t have to try and recall it all from memory.
So what if you want to make scented candles to use for aromatherapy? Well the process is the same, but the scents are different. Aromatherapy is becoming a very popular alternative or complimentary therapy for everything from insomnia to depression and one of the most popular modalities is the use of scented candles. However, for aromatherapy candles to be effective, you must make scented candles with pure essential oils. They contain all the beneficial properties of the plants that they are made from and they are highly concentrated. They evaporate quickly, which is why using them to make scented candles is ideal. The wax keeps the essential oils suspended until the wax is melted, thus releasing the scent.
Candle Making Wax: The Inside Secrets To Getting The Right Wax
Finding the right candle making wax is one of the most important choices you make when getting ready to start the candle making process. There are a number of products available to choose from, and you should explore all different forms of candle making wax before making a decision.
The most popular candle making wax in the industry right now is soy wax. There are several reasons why soy wax is popular. The first is that because it is plant based, it is renewable. Unlike beeswax, it lacks a natural scent. This makes it perfect as a base for fragrance candles. On that same note, essential oils mix particularly well with soy, and should be considered for any type of aromatherapy candles. The wax throws fragrance as well or better than any of the other types. Finally, one of its big advantages is its relatively high smoke point, which allows the candle to burn without emitting soot nearly as much as the others. The biggest drawback to this candle making wax is that it tends to be more expensive and more difficult to find.
Paraffin as candle making wax has become sort of a pariah in the age of soy. Some people have even referred to it as, “the sludge at the bottom of a barrel of
oil that is bleached and texturized with a chemical called acrolein.” There are, however, advantages to paraffin. Again, the wax throws fragrance well and the oils mix well since they are both petroleum based in most cases. Also, it is usually found in various colors if dying is not a possibility in your process. Lastly, it is extremely common, available in the canning section of most supermarkets, and therefore inexpensive. This makes it a good beginner’s wax.
Palm wax is candle making wax made from the oil in palm fruit, and may be the next step for candle manufacturing in the new “green” economy. This wax melts slowly due to its higher melting point, and creates a longer life for the candle. Environmentally friendly, this product is dripless and produces no smoke whatsoever. Another good fragrance thrower, this candle making wax is said to hold its fragrance much longer than a normal paraffin candle.
Gel wax is beautiful but dangerous. It should only be used by people who are entirely familiar with the attributes of wax. While it produces ornate designs and holds fragrance well, it can burn hotter and is more volatile than any of the other varieties of wax. It has been known to explode glass if it isn’t strong enough to hold it. Use this product with caution.
Finally, the last possibility is beeswax. As a candle making wax, beeswax has become another popular item. Most people are attracted to their long burn times and the fact that it’s much more affordable than soy. If soy is industry’s favorite, then beeswax is its younger sister. The fragrance throws are virtually equal, and beeswax is easier to find. The most unique part of beeswax is its signature white light.
Choosing the right wax is crucial for candle making success. If you choose wisely, you will be rewarded.
Tips For Making Beeswax Candles
Making beeswax candles may be the way to go if you are starting a candle company. First, making beeswax candles are environmentally sustainable. In the new green economy, products like this will become more and more common. Getting ahead of the curve with some knowledge will go a long way.
One thing that most people don’t know is that beekeepers are generally more than happy to get rid of their beeswax, so this is the place to start. When making beeswax candles, ensure that they use the lighter wax that forms as a byproduct of honey. The wax should sit in water overnight in a stainless steel container. When working with fresh beeswax, you want to avoid any metal other than stainless steel, as metals will actually darken the wax before it is even melted.
Once you’ve obtained the wax, making beeswax candles is a pretty simple process, with a few things to keep in mind. To begin, it is important to bear in mind that beeswax is a denser wax than others you will buy. This becomes very important when it comes to wicking your candles. For example, if you are making beeswax candles that are large, you will want to ensure that the wick is placed in the center. More so than with other candles that can be reheated with relative ease to change wick placement, it becomes more difficult with beeswax due to its density. Therefore, you should find a way to keep the wick in one spot as it dries. In large scale production at the factories, they’ve come up with a simple solution for this; tongue depressors. These are very inexpensive at your local medical supply store and unless you are starting the next Yankee Candle in your basement, one box will last quite a long time.
When you get the depressors, drill a 1/8th inch hole through the center of each one. These will not come in contact with the wax itself generally, so this is a product that will be completely reusable. Once you pour the candle, center the wick in place, ensure that it has extended completely and has no bends or kinks that you will be dealing with as the candle burns. Then simply extend the wick through the hole you’ve made in the tongue depressor, fold the wick over to keep it in place and rest it on top of the poured candle. Making beeswax candles with good wick placement is critical since the density of the wax has the added effect of making them last longer. If you mess up, not to fear, you can use a heat gun or hair dryer to melt the wax again; it just takes longer than other types of wax.
Finally, when making beeswax candles, do not under any circumstances allow the core temperature of the wax to become greater than 185 degrees Fahrenheit. At that point, the wax will break down and the candle will not burn properly. Working with beeswax can produce great candles that last forever, as long as you keep these things in mind.
More On Beeswax Candles
Make Beeswax Candles That Everyone Will Love
Colonial Candle Making: Candles of the Past and Present
While the equipment and waxes used in candle making as we know it today is much different than in colonial times, colonists set the stage for the craft of candle making, past and present. The next few paragraphs will cover the fascinating history of colonial candle making and bring you up to present candle making speed by discussing the process and equipment used over the years.
What was used to make the first colonial candles? Good question. The candles of colonial times began with the bayberry. You have most likely heard of bayberry scented candles, but the process is much easier today than in colonial times. The wax was very difficult to extract from the bayberry, so this kind of candle making soon disappeared during that era. (more…)
How To Make A Candle You Are 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. (more…)
Candle Making Wicks: Choosing The Right One Is Crucial
Of all the aspects of candle making, the importance of choosing a wick is often overlooked. When we think of candles we think of the beautiful colors, shapes, and the wonderful fragrances. However, without a wick a candle is just a pretty piece of wax. Obviously a candle cannot function without a wick but not just any old wick will do. Proper care must go into choosing the right candle making wick.
You must not dismiss the importance of choosing a candle making wick. If you make the wrong choice of wick for your candle it will not burn correctly. For example, if your wick is too thick the flame will burn too brightly, causing the candle to burn too fast. In addition to being inefficient, it is also a hazard.
On the other hand, if your wick is too thin the candle will burn too slowly and only the inner part of the candle melts. The wick will become saturated by the wax and will no longer burn.
There are key variables involved in choosing a candle making wick. You need to take into account your candles size, the type of wax and the fragrance density. Now, don’t start to worry that choosing a wick will be too complicated and that you might screw it up. Selecting the proper candle making wick is really not difficult. It may seem challenging but the more you do it the easier it becomes. Before you know it choosing wicks will become second nature.
Perhaps the most important factor in choosing a wick is its diameter. There is a science to how a wick works. You may be interested in learning more about how and why the wick does what it does. However, for now it is important to understand that the size of the wick is what matters most.
Most candle making wicks that you buy are braided. There is a good reason for this. You may think that it is because it looks nice but that is not the case. Braided wicks tell you the thickness. The more braids it has the thicker it is.
One tip that will help greatly is to keep a log. You are kind of like a scientist experimenting with different concoctions. Some things you try will not work so well while others will work great. When working on a project write down everything you do, the type of wax you use, the size of the wick, fragrance type, etc. This way you will have a record of what works well and you won’t have to worry about remembering what you did.
Now that you understand how crucial it is to select the proper wick for your candle, do not be intimidated. As I have said, it really is not difficult. Remember, practice makes perfect! It won’t take long at all before you are very confident in your wick selections. You have enough information now to get started so go make some beautiful home made candles!
Making Beeswax Candles
Beeswax is a natural wax and you can get it in a couple of different forms, blocks and sheets. You can buy it as natural, unbleached, or bleached white. It has a natural honey fragrance. Bees wax is a very high quality wax that burns longer than other waxes. Because it is more expensive, when making beeswax candles some candle makers will add it to a paraffin base.
Beeswax is a natural golden color and is very delightful. Some, however, prefer it white and will choose to buy it bleached. This will be a choice you can make depending on what you are trying to accomplish.
Making beeswax candles can be a challenge, especially when it comes to removing the candle from the mold. The more beeswax you use, the more difficulty you will have. A good rule of thumb is to make sure your candle wax is no more than 10% beeswax.
If you are just starting to learn how to make candles, you probably don’t want to start out with beeswax. Because of the challenges with the molds and the fact that it is more expensive than paraffin, you may want to get your feet wet with something a little cheaper and easier. However, if you are not going to be using molds but making container candles, you may want to give it a shot.
As mentioned earlier, you can buy beeswax in sheets. A really cool thing about sheets is to make a pure beeswax taper candle you don’t have to melt the wax! This is a really easy process which simply involve wrapping it around a wick. This is great if you want to involve younger children. There is no worry of any dangers of hot melted wax.
The biggest downside to making beeswax candles is that they do not mix with fragrances very well. A paraffin candle will smell much better than a beeswax candle. Therefore, if the scent is important to you then you won’t want to use this type of wax.
Beeswax certainly has its advantages and disadvantages. Although expensive, it is arguably the highest quality wax that produces very good candles that burn much longer than most waxes. Once you have learned the art of candle making and become good at it, you will definitely want to experiment with making beeswax candles.
Candle Making Wax
Take The Time To Review Which Type of Candle Wax You Need
One of the coolest hobbies in the world is the ability to create beautiful candles and then give them as gifts. It may seem, at first glance, that making candles as a craft might be extremely difficult and time consuming. However, it is fairly easy and really fun. There are a few things to consider be before beginning your new hobby.
The most important decision you will make, in the beginning of your candle making endeavors, is the choice of candle making wax that is available. So let us consider the options. There are basically three types of waxes used in the candle making process, so let’s explore them.
The candle making wax that is the least expensive is basic, plain paraffin wax. This type of wax is available everywhere, even in grocery stores. This is the type of wax that people use to seal homemade jams and jellies with. It is clear to milky white in color and so accepts color treatments well. However, it does not accept the application of aromas or scents well. This type of wax is extremely oily and burns very quickly.
The next type of candle making wax is that made from the soy bean and is a little more expensive than paraffin wax, but it burns up to three times longer because it is less oily. The big drawback to this type of wax is that in it’s melted form it is extremely liquid and therefore takes an extra long time to harden, or set up so taper or standing pillar candles will not work out to well. This type of wax holds aroma, or scents very well!
The third type of candle making wax is beeswax! Of all types of wax available, beeswax hold scents, or aromas the very best and does not produce hardly any carbons. Therefore it burns the cleanest of all of the waxes. It is the most expensive, however, it burns the longest. Beeswax burns up to ten times longer than any other wax on the market.
As you can see, there are many different variables and so before you begin you need to take the time to review which type of candle making wax will best fit your projected needs.
Wholesale Candle Making Supplies
Evaluation and Proper Information is the Key
For the do it yourself projects and the home business operators who have advanced from making candles for fun to give as gifts to creating beautiful works for profit, there are some simple things to take into consideration when purchasing wholesale candle making supplies.
First you need to evaluate just how often you are making candles. Asking yourself, do I make each candle on a “make to order basis” or am I producing several of the same type at once in order to create an inventory? Another question you might want to evaluate is, what type of candle am I trying to focus on? Is it important that the ingredients be Eco-friendly and made from all natural product? By keeping a good product journal and taking the time to record your inventory, orders and types of sales, you will have a running idea or answer to most of these types of questions.
With proper information you will then be able to move on to the all important matter of making up a purchasing or “shopping list”. If you are going to create a business with your candle making skills, then you will certainly want to get the best prices possible for the amount of product ordered. Therefore, you will want to shop for wholesale candle making supplies wherever possible. Before making those purchases however, take the time to evaluate where you will be storing these supplies because they need to be stored somewhere cool and free from dust and bugs or mice.
There are many wholesale candle making supplies marketed on the world wide web and these sites usually offer many helpful hints. They also provide advice for the making of candles as well as the purchasing all of the supplies necessary to get your business up and running. Some of these same sites will also let you add links to their site in order to generate more business which in turn will help get your name out there.
Check out the “big box stores” in your area because sometimes the prices and selection are just as good and there is no shipping charges or wait time for your orders to appear. Whatever you decide to do, take the time to be consumer savvy and you will certainly succeed.
How to Make Gel Candles
Gel candles have become quite popular. Although they burn just like regular candles, they are unique in the way they are made.
Gel candles and wax candles are both made from oil. The difference is that gel candles are almost entirely mineral oil with a small amount of polymer resin. When the two are mixed, the resin turns from a powder to a solid. Gel wax varies in its density from high to low. Although the higher density gel takes longer to gel and is more difficult to pour, it can hold more fragrance.
If you are familiar with making candles with regular wax you will have no problem making gel candles because the steps are the same. The difference is with the equipment and techniques. Instead of using a double boiler to melt the wax, a multi-cooker will get the job done much more quickly. With this method the gel wax goes directly into the multi-cooker rather than using two pots. A nice feature is it has a temperature dial. However, I would recommend you still use a thermometer to ensure the proper temperature. Be sure to use something metal to stir with as wooden spoons can cause bubbles. Always remember safety. Gel wax can catch fire so make sure your fire extinguisher is handy.
Changing the color of the wax is done with the use of dyes. Just remember that some dyes will not burn correctly and should be avoided, such as food coloring, clothing or soap dyes. Always stick with liquid candle dyes and remember it requires very little to change the color, maybe even less than a drop.
Making gel candles is a lot of fun and you can learn how to do it quickly and easily. Gel candles have a lot of advantages over regular wax candles. They last longer because they don’t burn as fast and they allow for greater creativity, giving you the ability to add decorations that float within the wax. The possibilities are almost endless with gel candles.
