does anyone know how to make candles?

[mommabeehilly]

does anyone know how to make tapers? i imagine that it's not rocket-science....but just want a starting place

[kghaffar]

Do you want to do dipped or rolled?


For dipped,I bought a pot made for asparagus from Tuesday Morning (cheaper than a pot made for dipping) I heat wax in it on an electric buffet range I bought since I have a gas range--and cooking wax over an gas flame is very danger dangerous. Color it after it's melted, if you want. Make sure you get wicks made for the width taper you want, then tie penny to the bottom of the wick. Dip it into the wax, then into a bucket of cold water and then the wax, the water, etc.. until it is the thickness you want. Tie it up to harden. Also you don't fill the dipping pot with all wax, you can use half water and half wax--- the wax will float. The wax layers may be thinner and you'll have to dip a few more times but you'll use less wax in the end.

[mommabeehilly]

Originally Posted by kghaffar

Do you want to do dipped or rolled?


For dipped,I bought a pot made for asparagus from Tuesday Morning (cheaper than a pot made for dipping) I heat wax in it on an electric buffet range I bought since I have a gas range--and cooking wax over an gas flame is very danger dangerous. Color it after it's melted, if you want. Make sure you get wicks made for the width taper you want, then tie penny to the bottom of the wick. Dip it into the wax, then into a bucket of cold water and then the wax, the water, etc.. until it is the thickness you want. Tie it up to harden. Also you don't fill the dipping pot with all wax, you can use half water and half wax--- the wax will float. The wax layers may be thinner and you'll have to dip a few more times but you'll use less wax in the end.

: dipped....
i am trying to sort out how to make a batch for our sprial. thanks for your reply, it's super-helpful!
few questions, if you don't mind....where do you get the wax?
also would you mind attaching a few pictures of your creations. i think a visual would inspire me.

[h4ppyphant0m]

Here's a great thread on candlemaking (including supplies rec's):
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=570144

[counterGOPI]

:

[KatelynsMomma]

i think i have everything i need to get started. i guess i'm just paranoid since i hear how dangerous it is on a gas stove. if i use a double boiler is there really any serious danger???

[mrsalf97]

I have a couple of friends who make beeswax candles and they both will only do it outside. That has scared me away from making them myself.

[kghaffar]

Originally Posted by KatelynsMomma

i think i have everything i need to get started. i guess i'm just paranoid since i hear how dangerous it is on a gas stove. if i use a double boiler is there really any serious danger???

I got an electric buffet range from Walmart to do it so I didn't have to use my gas cooktop. I got a two burner one, but they have single.

[ecoteat]

I've done it with a group of 12 3rd and 4th graders on an electric hot plate in my classroom with no trouble. Someone said to dip it in water between wax dips, but I've never done that. You do want the wax on your candle to harden somewhat before dipping it again, otherwise the wax on the candle might melt back into the pot when you dip again. Keep the wax just hot enough to stay liquid. If it's too hot, it can melt your candle when you dip.

I love our handmade candles--and I'm researching raising bees so I'll have all the beeswax (and honey!) I want.

[mommabeehilly]

Originally Posted by ecoteat

I've done it with a group of 12 3rd and 4th graders on an electric hot plate in my classroom with no trouble. Someone said to dip it in water between wax dips, but I've never done that. You do want the wax on your candle to harden somewhat before dipping it again, otherwise the wax on the candle might melt back into the pot when you dip again. Keep the wax just hot enough to stay liquid. If it's too hot, it can melt your candle when you dip.

I love our handmade candles--and I'm researching raising bees so I'll have all the beeswax (and honey!) I want.

ooh that is refreshing to hear. do you have any pictures. i'd love to see .

[Melaniee]

I've also done it over a hot plate with the children. Or, I was thinking, what about a crock pot? Or you could use the crock pot like a double-boiler, filling it with water and then your 'dipping pot' inside if you prefer. I've not tried that but I was thinking it'd work similiarly. When we did it with the children, though, we removed the pot from the heat source while they dipped, then periodically switched it out with one that had been heating. We did do the hot cold dip method. I found when the children did the wax too much without letting it cool it got warped. I think it just depends upon the patience level of the dipper.