Tips On How To Make Soy Candles For Fundraiser Activities
Soy candles are best for candle fundraiser activities. They are much better and considered a healthier choice compared to the scented candles. Soy candles have benefits that can never be beaten by other types of candles. Soy candles can burn longer, up to about 50% longer than other candles because they burn slower. These candles are set at a lower heat temperature that is why the fragrance is distributed better.
Candle making is a fun activity and can make a great hobby. Your children and family members can even help you because they are easy to make.
First, you should have a mold in which the candles are formed. You can choose from cartons or metal molds and you can cut them to the desired height. If your children want to try making candles, they should start by making short candles because it will be easier for them to insert the molds into the wax.
Next, spray the inside part of your mold with silicone, or you can use a light wipe of vegetable oil. Then you cut a wick which is two to three inches longer than the mold. Attach a tab and stick it to the center of the bottom part of the mold with a little spread of melted wax. You can use a chopstick across the top of the mold so that it can be centered and straightened.
Now you need the wax. To find out how much wax you will need, you must pour water into the mold and mark the level you desire. After you have marked the level, you can empty the mold. Be sure to keep the mold dry. In melting the wax, the melting point should be from 130-150F but you can also set it to a temperature of 180-200F.
Now you can break the wax into chunks or you can pare it off so that it will melt faster. You can either melt your wax by making your own can which is placed inside a pot of water that is half full, or you can melt it in the top of a double broiler pan. If you use a can, make sure that it is not be too shallow because the can has the tendency to float. If it is shallow, the hot wax might spill. In order to prevent fire, you should keep baking soda on hand to toss on any flames that may flare up.
Then tip your mold a little so the wax can be poured down the side. Fill it to about an inch of your preferred level. You must keep the wax hot so that it stays melted. Watch the wax cool in the molds and your candle is ready. Soy candles use bees wax because they produce synthetic candles. You can apply drops of oils or vanilla to make the candle scented.
A Candle fundraiser is not that difficult to start. You just need the right materials and procedures in order to be successful in making your first candles for your fundraising activity.
A Quick Guide For Making Scented Candles
Select The Right Oil
Scented candle making requires the right oil. Alcohol-based perfumes are your friend. I suggest you use that type instead of water-based perfume. I’m sure you heard the old saying the oil and water don’t mix. Waxes are close to oil in their chemical composition. You should be able to find quality alcohol-based perfumes at any craft store.
Select Your Wax?
You can really select any type of wax you like. The most common choices are soy, gel, palm, paraffin and beeswax. Think about how much fragrance you want to use before selecting a wax. Fragrance amounts are very important when using gel waxes. If you need a heavy amount of fragrance, then you should select a high density gel wax. If this is your first time making scented candles I suggest you use paraffin wax.
Melt The Wax
Now that you’ve selected your wax, it is time to melt it. Save yourself tons of heartache and aggravation and use the double boiler technique when melting candles. The term double boiler may sound complicated, but it is very simple to execute. You will need two pots, one small pot and one larger pot. Place your wax in the smaller pot. Next, fill the larger pot with water. Place the smaller pot inside the larger pot. See, so far, so good. Turn the heat on your stove to and heat the wax to 165-185 degrees. It is important that you use a thermometer to monitor the temperature. If the heat is too high, the wax could burn and you won’t be happy.
Add Fragrance and Wick It Real Good
Once your wax is melted at the right temperature you are ready to add your fragrance. As a rule of thumb, I suggest you use one ounce of fragrance per pound of wax. You could use more, but that is the standard that most candle makers follow. After adding the fragrance, you can now pour the wax into your mold. If you actually want this candle to burn you will need a wick. Insert the wick in the mold and let the candle cool.
Scents Are Great
More and more I’m finding out that people are really attracted to candles by their scent. Who wouldn’t love to have wonderful fragrances filling their house. You can learn how to make scented candles. It is easy. Give it a try.
Supplies Needed For Scented Candle Making
Basic Equipment
The basic materials needed to make any candles include such things as a double boiler to melt wax, a metal pouring pot, candle molds and a mold sealer, primed wicks, wax, candle dyes, other basic household items like scissors, a tape measure, and measuring spoons. If you are just getting started, our ebook is a big help. Once you have the above equipment ready, it is not difficult to get started.
After making a few batches of candles and learning the various processes, you’ll soon want to make scented candles as well. What types of aromas should you try, and how will you find them? Extensive lines of flavors made from both synthetic chemicals and also essential oils, which are derived by distilling natural plant material, are readily available. Check out the CandleChem Company. A quick glance at their web site reveals that they have everything one needs to make candles, including a extensive array of fragrances. Just to give an idea, here is a listing of the aromas they offer, and this is only a list of those starting with the letter “A”: African Violet, Allspice, Almond Cherry, Almond Coconut, Almond Cookie, Aloe Vera, Amaretto, Amaretto Chocolate, Amaretto Coffee, Amaretto Spice, Amaretto Vanilla, Amber Romance, Angel Food Cake, Angel Wings, Anise, Apple & Rose, Apple Blossom, Apple Cider, Apple Cinnamon, Apple, Apple Jack, Apple Peel, Apple Pie, Apple Spice, Apple Spice Cake, Apple Strudel, Apples & Berries, Apples & Oak, Apples & Oranges, Apricot, Apricot Brandy, and Apricot Azalea.
So it is clear that there are literally hundreds of possibilities. It only takes a few drops of an essential oil to add the necessary amount of fragrance when making a candle, so purchasing a few of your favorite aromas won’t cost too much and will last a long time.
If this company does not have exactly what you are looking for in terms of equipment or candle making fragrances, another possibility is Natures Garden which has a similar lengthy list of candle making scents.
Whether you are looking to make candles for your own living space, looking for a way to make creative gifts for your friends and family members, or even thinking about starting a small business, making fragrant candles is an excellent hobby that is easy to get into. And once you master the basics and get creative, you’ll be able to make all sorts of different candles that you and others will enjoy.
How to Make Wax Candles
Basic skills are usually needed in learning how to make wax candles. You do not need to be an outright expert. All you need are tools, materials and instructions to work with. If candle making is indeed your interest, why don’t you try making palm wax candles?
Palm wax candles are products made of palm oil. As compared to other wax types, palm oil is organic and natural. Since palm oil has been used in soap making, it is no surprise to learn that such base can also be used in making candles. Besides, the property inherent in palm oil is what makes soaps naturally firm, which is why it is also ideal as raw material for candles.
Knowing how to make wax candles starts with the following tips. You will need palm wax, molds, double boiler, wicks and thermometer. You have to heat the wax until it melts. Wait until the temperature sets at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the melted wax and prepare your molds. It is also advisable to use metal containers as mold for your palm wax candles.
You have to remember that palm wax is a type of crystalline wax. Meaning, you have a number of possibilities in terms of candle design. Results vary when one is using palm wax. In fact, you can refer to online sources or suppliers for additional information regarding the possible effects of using palm wax.
While learning how to make wax candles brings us to color and possible candle designs, it is best to realize that adding particular fragrances to your mixture adds value to your finished products. It is also recommended to use oils, dyes or fragrances that work best with your chosen wax.
As for palm wax candles, the most popular coloring mediums are those that emit natural colors and earth tones namely cream and brown. With regards to scents, the most ideal would be flower-scented oils or fragrance.
By giving in to the above-mentioned tips, learning how to make wax candles is no longer an impossible feat. You are no longer tied to pastries and cookies as mere hobbies. Once you mastered these tricks, you will soon find a list of benefits and possible rewards awaiting candle makers. In the end, you will be able to send homemade candles as gifts.
More About Candle Making
Candles consist of solid blocks of petroleum, the source of its light and sometimes also the source of heat. Candle manufacturers are usually called chandlers. Numerous devices have created candle holders from elaborated chandeliers to simple tabletop candle containers.
In Christianity, candles are usually used for worship and for the ambience and decoration. It is also the symbol of the light of Christ, or the light of God. An altar candle is particularly located along the front part of the altar, and is commonly in pairs. Candles are carried during processions, particularly on the sides of the processional cross.
In the Roman Catholic Church, the liturgical candle should be made of at least 51 percent beeswax while the remainder can be paraffin or several other substances. In Orthodox Church, a taper’s offer must be 100 percent of beeswax. For this case, the base of flamed candles are commonly melted and saved in order to create new candles. In several Western Churches, a particular candle called the Paschal Candle exclusively represents the Resurrected Christ.
Making your own candle is not difficult. In fact, this is also regarded as a craft or hobby. The first steps involved in making candles include steaming the block of wax. Then, the wax is boiled in a double boiler. Boiling wax through flames will create numerous problems. Wax has a flash point of 390 degrees Fahrenheit. In this temperature, it creates fumes or it even catches fire.
Significant candle making materials includes factors that affect the scent, color, wick and the wax. There are many kinds of waxes you can choose from, like a beeswax, candle and paraffin wax. Aside from this, there are several varieties that coincide with their MP values, depending on the values of steric and vybar contained in them.
The finest candle wax may burn or create fumes when it is heated to about 200 degrees Fahrenheit. In order to obtain the finest quality candle, it is essential that you choose excellent candle making crops. Candle making procedures can be turned into safer measures with the help of excellent candle making crops. These are widely available in the market and in some candle shops. If you want to try candle making using your hands, make sure you use the right materials that prevent accidental burns.
The most significant is the double boiler, aside from the candle making mechanisms. It is not safe to dissolve the wax directly onto the flame because it can produce or catch fire and fumes. The double boiler is the solution to this kind of problem. This is by letting the wax dissolve through the absorption of the heat from the water restrained in a smaller boiler.
Amateur wax makers can try an easier route. The different molds obtainable in some candle shops and markets can help make various kinds of candles. There are several flexible molds obtainable that can be handheld with so much ease. There are also innumerable varieties of molds that carry a lot of options for resourceful minds.
Numerous candle making equipments like dipping cans, pouring jugs are available in homes already. By recycling several of these used jugs or other containers; you can improvise and save more. Other candle making equipments like the mold stands and thermometers are also very significant in the process. These candle making molds can be obtained in glass, latex, metal, plastic and rubber. Thus, the molds used in making candles are also obtainable in various sizes and shapes. In fact, candle making molds can provide you with beautiful shapes for making candles.
Soy Candle Making Supplies
Candles made of soy wax burn with less soot thus keeping your air cleaner. They have steadier flames than paraffin-based types and so burn longer. Cleaning is also easier with soy. All you need is warm water and soap.
Soy wax comes in flakes, tiny beads, slabs, or blocks. The wax is easier to work with in flakes or beads, hence they are recommended for beginners. If you are already an expert making huge amounts of candles, go for the slabs or blocks. Soy wax has an opaque off-white color. This doesn’t mean that you can only have soy wax candles in off-white. There are plenty of natural color dyes available in crafts stores that can add life and verve to your candles.
The wick plays a role on how the candle will burn. For soy candles, they have to be soy-coated. They come in spools and could be either tabbed or untabbed. You can use wick stick-ums to glue the wicks to the bottom of your container. Soy wax is softer and has a lower melting temperature than paraffin. For this reason, it is used more often for container candles. When used for this purpose, the wax can be 100% soybean. In this formulation, it sticks to the wall of the container. A non-soy additive of about 0.5% to soy wax, however, results in a votive blend that will allow you to make pillar candles. These, though, should not be taller than 6 inches nor have a diameter of more than 3 inches.
If you want to add scents to your soy candle, use only non-toxic pure essential oils. Synthetics may be more combustible affecting the burning of the wick. There are many available fragrances including floral scents as rose or jasmine, or food aromas like cinnamon or blueberry.
If you are a beginner in the art of soy candle making, you might do better to buy a kit that includes all of the essential supplies. As you progress and become more familiar with the art and you may want to add your personal touch to the candles, you can switch to buying them piece by piece.
How to Make Scented Candles
You can find aroma oil at most craft stores or online for your scented candles. It is better to make use of oil more readily than a water-bases or alcohol-based perfume inside wax for the reason that the majority of waxes are close to oil in their compound composition. Oil and water mixing is a big no. So, by using water-based perfumes, the liquid resolve simply float to the underneath of your melted wax.
The wonderful phenomenon on the order of scented candles is that the heady scent is noticed even once the candle is not lit. They make perfect gifts even more so when you make them yourself. The process of making scented candles is the same to the same extent making regular candles. You need to consider which kind of wax you are going to use. At hand are several kinds of wax that are accessible today, such as natural waxes like soy, palm, or beeswax. Present is also paraffin wax which is your straightforward wax that a large amount candles are made of and there are moreover gel candles. Both of these types of wax can be used to manufacture scented candles as well. Although, with gel candles, you need to consider how much aroma you are planning to use before you choose your wax. Gel wax with a lesser density cannot hold as much fragrance as gel wax with an elevated density.
Concerning order to succeed any type of candle, you have to first melt the wax before you can pour it into your candle mold. You want to use a double boiler to melt the wax. Place a lesser pot that has the wax in it into a superior pot that is filled with water. Be careful not to put the temperature of the stovetop too high because wax can burn. You can use a thermometer and warm up the wax to around 170-180 degrees. Into the mold you add the wick. When the wax is melted, you can remove it from the high temperature source. This is when you add the delicate scent oil. You can add a single ounce of fragrance oil to one pound of wax. This command present you a 6% fragrance concentration. Make sure that you do not add too much fragrance. Although it may seem like the more fragrance the better, this is not the case. Particular problems can crop up from using too much fragrance. One thing that may well materialize is that the candle will not burn accurately because of the advanced concentration of liquid. You might end up with pools of liquid in the candle. You can continuously experiment with your candle making. You can keep records of how much fragrance you use to how much wax and uncover you own scented candle recipe.
Using things like scents and colors gives you much additional variety of the things that you can create into your candle making. Wouldn’t it be significant to be able to give a loved one a gift of a candle with the essence of leisure and a calming sent to go along with it? Now that you know a bit more about how to make scented candles, you can do it.
10 Reasons Why You Should Learn Candle Making at Home
1. Less Expensive – Making your own candles at home will cost you a fraction of what it costs you to buy candles from retailers. When I have shopped for candles I have been shocked to look at the price of them. $49.00 for one simple candle? You have to be kidding, right? Wrong! Candles purchased ready made are very expensive and a real luxury item if you live on a fixed budget as I do. Instead, by purchasing your candle making supplies in bulk, for instance wicks and waxes, you can produce equally gorgeous candles for just pennies a candle.
2. Choice – When you make your own candles at home, you have the choice of what style, color, scent and shape you wish to have. Store bought candles give you very little choice. You may find the right candle color but the scent puts you off. Or you find a price you can afford but the color is wrong. Candle making at home allows you to choose all of these options yourself. These options are only limited by your own imagination.
3. Kid friendly – Candle making at home provides you with a great opportunity to spend quality time with your children. Clean up is a breeze if you plan ahead and when properly supervised, children will love making their own candles using their own unlimited imagination. This is especially true when making gel candles where the ornaments are inserted right into the candle wax.
4. Therapeutic – Teaching yourself a hobby or a craft is wonderfully therapeutic for you. While your hands are involved in your craft, your mind relaxes and tensions flow out of your body. You forget about your daily problems and focus on the creativity of creating your own beautiful candles. If you are anything like me, you will find that any problem that you might be struggling with will likely resolve itself during the time you are making your candles. Working in the background, your mind is free to mull over the problem without interference from the red flags and objections your ego will raise and by the time you are finished your first project, you will likely find that your brain has come up with a solution to the problem.
5. Customized Gift Giving – There is nothing better in the whole world then to receive a gift from someone who obviously cares about you enough to take the time and thought to create your gift. Hang on! That is incorrect. There is one thing better and that is being the one who gives that customized gift. When gifting a candle to someone you love, you can choose exactly the right color, shape and scent for this special person. For instance if you know their favorite color is pink and they love the smell of vanilla, you will be 3 steps ahead in creating an ideal gift for them.
6. Home Based Business – Homemade candles are becoming one of the fastest growing home based businesses around. That is particularly true right now with everyone scaling back on their household expenses. Decor items like candles are usually the first to get cut from the shopping list. When you are able to make beautiful candles for just pennies of what the retailers charge, your customer list will explode. Craft fairs, flea markets and even your own online storefront are not beyond your reach when you become a master candle maker.
7. Equipment Easily Found in Your Own Kitchen – Unlike other hobbies and crafts, the equipment required for candle making at home is short and contains items that you will probably find in your own kitchen, basement or garage. If you make gel candles, you may require an additional piece of equipment called a multi-cooker but otherwise, everything you need to make your own candles you probably already own.
8. Beautify Your Own Home/Power Outages – Making your own home cozy and pleasantly scented is easy as pie when you make your own candles. You can choose exactly the right color, shape and scent to use for each room to compliment your existing decor. And what about the candle-lit baths made extra special because the candles were handmade by you and the color and scent are made exactly for you.
Furthermore, during power outages, instead of having paid way too much for a package of plain white candles to light your home, you will have a very plentiful stock of your own candles in different colors and scents to light your home while waiting for the power to come back on. It can be very romantic during these outages instead of being an inconvenience.
9. Easy to Learn How – Candle making is one of the easiest crafts to learn how to do. I have taught myself many crafts including crochet, knitting, scrap-booking and pottery. By far, candle making was the easiest of them all to teach myself. With the right book, the right supplies and equipment and just a little bit of creativity, you can be making candles the same day you begin.
10.Lends Itself to Pursuing Other Crafts – Once you know how to make stunning candles, you will be amazed at what other crafts you can use your new found knowledge with. You will be empowered to discover new crafts that you’ve always wanted to try but possibly didn’t think you could learn how to do. There are a myriad of crafts that you can use candle making for such as making Easter eggs, Halloween candles, your own birthday candles and the list goes on. Learning how to make candles at home can literally change your life!
So now you have plenty of reasons to learn candle making at home and you have come to the right place. Everything you need to know is no more then a click away.
Tips for Candle Making
It’s an easy hobby to take up and extremely rewarding. Not only that, once you get the basic supplies, it’s an easy project to start. Supplies are not hard to find and you can find all kinds of necessities online and offline at your local crafts store. Since this hobby is very popular with craftspeople, all kinds of creative candles are created. I’m sure you’ve probably seen some at your local county fair or at the coffeeshop down the street.
The first step in candle making is to prepare the wax. Wax must be melted using what is called a double boiler. What is a double boiler? It’s simply a large pot filled with water and placed on the stove top. A smaller pot that contains the un-melted wax sits inside the larger pot. Wax easily burns, so having a double boiler makes life alot easier. Once the wax is melted, just hold the wick in place in the middle of the mold and pour in the wax.
You’ll have to let the wax cool for about a few hours before you attempt to remove it fro the mold. Four to six hours is a good time to wait. If you’re a little impatient like me, you could try to fit the mold in the freezer for about half an hour and then you’ll be able to remove the candle from the mold. You can also use non-stick cooking spray on the mold before you pour the wax so it’ll be easier to take the candle out in the end.
There are so many different creative things you can do with candles. You can add different fragrances, colors and decorations. Some people use liquid latex for some amazing candles. Because liquid latex molds are not sturdy and too wobbly to stand on end, you’ll need some kind of support like a piece of cardboard with a hole cut in the middle of it.
Some hobbyists have found that selling candles can be a lucrative business. By purchasing their products in bulk at discount prices, they can make some great products especially if they are creative with the packaging. After all, who doesn’t like candles?
Candle Making Essential Oils – It Only Takes A Few Drops
The Choice of Fragrance to Use in Your Candles
You may simply have a favorite aroma that you want to try, or you can experiment with different ideas to see how you like the aroma created by burning your scented candles. You might want to do a little research about aromatherapy and see what plant materials have been used in the past for particular purposes. Essential oils are derived from certain plant materials by the process of distillation which produces very concentrated liquids that have the strong essence of the plant. For example, eucalyptus oil is often used to help clear out congested nasal passages and make breathing easier. Essential oil of lemon is considered uplifting and it lowers stress and even acts as an anti-depressant. Citronella oil is used as a repellant for insects and is also used in the making of some perfumes. Essential oil of lavender is considered calming and relaxing and is thought to soothe headaches and even sometimes migraines.
So your choice of essential oils used when making candles can have a practical goal beyond just creating a nice scent in a room. There are hundreds of essential oils to choose from when making candles. An excellent source is the web site of the CandleChem company. Here is a list of the essential oils they offer for candle making, and these are only those that start with the letter B: Baby Lotion, Baby Powder, Baked Apple Crisp, Baked Bread, Baked Cake, Baked Pie Crust, Balsam & Amber, Banana, Banana Creme Pie, Banana Nut Bread, Banana Rum Banana Spice, Basil, Basil Nectarine, Bayberry, Bayberry Spice, Beachin, Beautiful Type, Beer, Begonia, Bergamot, Bergamot Herbal Mint, Birthday Cake, Black Cherry, Black Currant, Black Love, Black Pepper, Black Raspberry Vanilla, Black Rose, Black Tea, Black Walnut, Blackberry, Blackberry Brandy, Blackberry Mist, Blackberry Pie, Blueberry, Blueberry Cheesecake, Blueberry Cobbler, Blueberry Muffin, Bourbon, Boysenberry, Boysenberry & Moss, Brown Sugar, Brown Sugar & Fig, Brown Sugar & Spice, Bubble Gum, Buck Lure, Burgundy Wine, Butter Crème, Butter Mint, Butter Pecan, Butterscotch, Butterscotch Brulee.
So you can see there truly are hundreds to choose from. Also, you’ll only be using 1-3 drops of essential oil for each candle, so you’ll be able to make a lot of candles for each scent that you purchase. Remember to put the drops into your hot wax mixture just before it is poured into a mold. In that way the essential oils won’t evaporate as quickly as they would have had they been in the hot wax mixture for some time. If you are using a dye to color your candles, that should be done prior to adding the essential oils for fragrance.










