Candle Making Projects: 3 Easy Creative Candle Making Ideas
As satisfying as unmolding your umpteenth scented candle can be, you are by now more than willing to try your hand at something with a little more flair. Try any, or all, of these 3 creative homemade candle making projects
Dried flowers, leaves and ferns add to the warmth of a candle. Choose a candle with a large circumference to prevent the flame from reaching the flowers. White candles set off dried foliage to perfection but you may choose other colors. Arrange your design on white paper cut to the circumference of the candle. Have a narrow and a wide paintbrush ready, and some newspapers to handle any dripping wax. Melt some wax (same color as your candle) in a double boiler; remove from the fire and bring to your work area over the newspapers. Using the narrow brush, dab melted wax onto the candle and press the dried flower/leaf in place. Work quickly as the candle wax cools fast. As each section is done, paint over the dried flowers with the wider brush to keep it firmly in place. Wait for it to cool before touching it or it could smear. The end result will be a bit bumpy but will have a rustic look that is pleasantly restful to the eyes.
Give dipped candles a tweak by carving into them. Start with a finished, pillar candle – cubes will look nice too. Hold the candle by the wick and dip it into a tall container of melted wax dyed a contrasting color. Hold it in the melted wax for a few seconds before lifting (a long wick will keep your hand from the heat). Cool at least 30 seconds before dipping again. If possible, do not set the candle on any surface it can stick to. Repeat 3 or 4 times or until you are satisfied with the coverage. When cool, use a carving tool, even a sharp toothpick to etch a design deep enough to show the color of the pillar candle at the center.
Water and wax don’t mix which is the principle behind the ice cube candles. Everyone seems to agree the best mold for this is the lowly milk carton which can safely take the drastic changes in temperature. Glue or position a taper candle at least 2 inches in diameter, in the center of the milk carton. Melt wax in your double boiler. When the wax has melted, take it off the heat, fill the mold with ice cubes and follow with the molten wax. If you melted another color wax, pour that in too. Once the candle is cool and set, pour out the water, carefully tear off the milk carton and admire your rugged candle. No 2 are ever alike
These authentically handmade and homemade candles can be made from scratch or from store bought materials, but no one can deny the creative force behind each and every one. And soon, you will come up with unique candle making ideas for your own line of products.
Learn more about candle making. Stop by Rebecca Keating’s site where you can find out all about candle making ideas