| Candle making recipes are very similar in that they all | | | | tabs on the end so they are easier to use when |
| require basically the same materials and use the same | | | | making candles. When buying a wick you need |
| techniques. However if you are just starting out you | | | | something that will burn cleanly. Many people prefer |
| may not know all your options that you have when | | | | cotton or hemp wicks. Others say that the wick |
| making candles. Obviously, beginner candle makers | | | | material is dependent on the type of wax you will be |
| don't need all the advanced ingredients that are used in | | | | using. |
| many of the more elaborate candle making recipes. It | | | | The last item needed to make candles is a candle |
| is the purpose of this short article to give the basic | | | | holder. After you have the wax, wick and candle |
| ingredients in many candle recipes. | | | | holder, you have all the essentials of the basic candle |
| Beginner candle makers only need wax, wicks, candle | | | | recipe. Molds can be purchased or you can use |
| holders and a means to melt the wax. Pretty simple. | | | | something around the house. Many people use glass |
| To make your most basic candle you simply melt the | | | | containers that are saved or purchased solely for |
| wax, put a wick in a holder and pour the wax in it. Let | | | | candle making. If you use these, you are doing it at |
| it cool and harden and you are all done. | | | | your own risk. |
| Now what wax do you use? Most beginners start out | | | | Candleholder suppliers sell glass containers for candles. |
| with paraffin wax. It is cheap, popular, plentiful and easy | | | | The reputable dealers will only sell glass candle holders |
| to get. Other waxes offer other benefits. Some | | | | that meet strict government requirements. These |
| people like all natural products. Soy fits this category | | | | containers are made to be used with candles and hot |
| Soy candles have been emerging as a viable | | | | wax and can withstand these temperatures. Regular |
| alternative to the standard wax choices. Soy candles | | | | everyday glasses, while seeming to be fine, may not |
| are made out of 100% natural soy wax without any | | | | be good for candles because they might have weak |
| additives. Candles made of soy wax will have a | | | | spots in them that when they get hot, might break, |
| wonderful aroma without having to add any type of | | | | spilling the wax and creating a big safety problem. |
| fragrance. Experienced soy candle makers can mix | | | | Therefore recommendations by most of the |
| the soy wax in several ways that will give the natural | | | | knowledgeable candle makers is to use high quality |
| scent a bit of a difference thus giving the scent a | | | | glass containers made especially for candles. |
| fainter or more powerful aroma. | | | | Now if you have some old metal tins or cans around |
| Beeswax is another popular candle making wax. While | | | | the house, they would be acceptable for molds. You |
| it may be a little more expensive, it offers many | | | | just need to spray a mold release on the inside before |
| wonder benefits. It has a natural sweet aroma, a | | | | adding the wax. |
| beautiful natural color, and burns, brighter, longer and | | | | For the more advanced candle makers, you can buy |
| cleaner than many other candles. | | | | things to add to the wax that will change the color, add |
| Since beeswax is naturally fragrant and has a very | | | | fragrance, increase the hardness, prevent fading and |
| pleasant color, no dyes or fragrances need to be | | | | bubbles, to name a few. None of these are hard to |
| added to it. However, if you were to buy beeswax | | | | use or find. They just take some experience in using |
| sheets and roll your own candles, you could purchase | | | | them and seeing their effects. |
| these sheets in many different colors. | | | | "Professional" candle making is a progressive art. You |
| The last type of wax that you can use is gel wax. | | | | start simply, learn the basics and go from there. Once |
| These are the candles that you see that have a | | | | the basics are learned you can experiment with the |
| seascape or other design in it. Gel waxes can be | | | | more advanced techniques and additives, all the while, |
| colored and made aromatic by adding fragrance oils. | | | | your expertise is growing as you continue to add to |
| To make candles you need wicks. Candle wicks | | | | your experience. |
| come in many materials and can be purchased with | | | | |