Nov
01
Filed Under (Hobbies) by Kert
Lee Martin asked:


Candle Making Wax

The practice of making candles dates back several thousand years. Egyptians were making candles from beeswax three thousand years before the advent of Christianity, and the practice has continued throughout history using whale fat, insects, seeds, and herbs such as cinnamon for lighting and time-keeping, as well as an incense in ritual ceremonies.
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While beeswax candles are probably the oldest type of candle, the more common source of candle wax has been the fat derived from rendering fish and animals. This type of candle material is generally referred to as tallow, which is made by melting animal fat and then forming it into a taper shape, usually by the use of a mold, and inserting a wick during the drying and cooling process.

Beeswax has been harvested for thousands of years for candle making wax as well as for use as a lubricant and a protective material. Worker bees create wax by masticating (chewing) honey and secreting a waxy substance that is then used to seal the combs in the hive. Beeswax is collected from the hives and melted down in boiling water to be used for candle making. In some cases, mineral oil is added to add a better consistency and uniformity when burning.

Paraffin wax came into use after the identification in 1830 of certain alkaline hydrocarbons in petroleum that, when solidified, would hold a form but would then liquefy at a melting point of approximately 115 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Paraffin wax has been widely used as a candle making wax due to an ability to maintain its form while melting at a slower rate than tallow or beeswax. This consistency of form lends itself well to making a variety of candle shapes.

Bayberries were discovered for candle making by early American colonists who sought an alternative to the excessive smoke and soot that is created by burning tallow. The berries from bayberry shrubs are collected and boiled down, and the liquid is then allowed to dry into a waxy substance that was used for candles. Although bayberry wax has a pleasant natural scent and produces less soot, it requires somewhere between 5 to 15 pounds of bayberries to make one pound of wax.

Soy has been recently discovered to be a viable source of candle making wax. Soybean wax is a derivative by-product of the oil found in soybeans, and is generally much softer than any other candle making wax. It is more often used to make container candles because for this reason. Soybean wax is also colorless and odorless, and therefore dyes and fragrances are often used in the candle making process when using soybean wax. So thats it , just a little history on the evolution of candle wax

By Lee Martin http://www.EasyMadeCandles.com



FERNANDO
Oct
02
Filed Under (Hobbies) by Kert
Angelic Ventura asked:
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Homemade candle making has has recently become a big trend. More people everyday are using candle making as a hobby and business opportunity. It’s a great method to obtain meaningful presents for relatives and loved ones and also to bring in a few extra dollars if you sell them. But the art of candle making is anything but new. Long before lamps and light bulbs were even thought of, candles lit the world.

Whether you’re making candles as gifts, or looking to make some cash off the craft, you must first perfect the art of candle making. You should make sure to buy high quality materials for making your candles. Molds, wicks, scents and coloring, made specifically for candle making are available in crafts and hobby shops and online.

The first step in candle making is to melt the wax. To do this you use a double boiler. To set up your double boiler, you take a large pot and fill it with water, then place a smaller pot with the wax in it inside the bigger pot. Wax burns easily during the process of melting, so by using a thermometer to regulate the temperature of the wax and a double boiler you reduce the risk of burning.

Place your wick carefully in the mold you chose and coat the inside of the mold with a non-stick spray covering to facilitate an easier removal of the finished candle. Then pour your melted wax into your mold. You can leave it to sit until the candle has solidified or you can speed the process up by placing the mold in your freezer for 30 minutes or so. When the candle has hardened completely, remove it from the mold.

There’s literally no limit to the various kinds of candles avaiable for creation in your home. With all the variations of colors, fragrances, and decorations the sky is the limit. Some candle makers have even created original latex molds to create truly spectacular looking candles.

Latex molds are very flimsy, however. It’s quite difficult to fill a latex mold if you do not have something to stabalize the mold. Luckily, all you need is a simple sturdy piece of cardboard to support a latex mold. Just cut a hole large enough for the moldĀ  into the cardboard and then place the mold up to it’s outward lip in the hole. You can now fill the mold with no problems.

Perfecting candle making techniques usually takes a couple of attempts, but once you’ve got it down, you’ll be amazed by the gorgeous candles you’ve made and can now give away as gifts or sell with a little bit of decorative packaging



ROLAND
Elizabeth Grimes asked:


The soy candle making equipment needed to make soy candles is very basic and you won’t have to spend a fortune on supplies. You probably have most of what you need in your kitchen already.

First, you need something to melt the soy wax in. A double boiler is the safest and most effective method for melting wax. Since it uses indirect heat, you won’t have to worry about burning the wax. Double boilers are easy to find, and are relatively inexpensive. If you already have one, you can use it to melt your soy wax. You may, however, want to purchase an extra one just for your soy candle making.

The second piece of soy candle making equipment you need is a thermometer. A candy thermometer works best. Since the soy wax melts quickly, you will need to monitor the temperature of the melting soy wax to ensure it doesn’t get too hot. Fragrance can be lost to evaporation if it takes a long time for the soy candle to cool. Candy thermometers can usually be purchased at any store that sells kitchen equipment.
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Third, you need a vessel to pour the melted wax into the molds. If you are going to be making small soy candles, such as votives, it will be easier to pour using a Pyrex measuring cup rather than the pot the soy wax was melted in. Any heat safe pourable cup will work for this.

The fourth and final soy candle making equipment necessary to make soy candles is a scale to measure the wax. Depending on the size of the soy candles you are making, you will need to know how much soy wax to use. A digital scale works best for this because it gives very accurate measurements.

As you can see, you don’t need to spend a fortune on special equipment to make soy candles. Most of them may already be in your kitchen, and the rest are common supplies that can be purchased inexpensively.

For more information on soy candle making and where to buy supplies, visit How To Make Soy Candles.



SHAUN