Gel candles are a great item to make. Not only are they
beautiful, but very easy to light. They also burn slowly, giving your candles a
long life for you to treasure. Gel candles are very easy to make as well as
inexpensive. You can add your favorite scents to them as well. The supplies you
need to get started include gel, zinc wicks, fragrance oils if you desire, and
dye to add color. Some people love the look of a clear gel candle and prefer
not to use any dye. It is important that you only use zinc wicks for gel
candles because cotton wicks absorb the gel, causing them not to light or burn
well. You can purchase these supplies from a craft store or online.
Gel candles can be made in a variety of holders. Using those
made of glass will give you the best results. However, as long as the container
is non-flammable you will be fine. To add uniqueness to gel candles, some
makers choose to make them in fancy glasses, wine glasses, and vases. To add
color and themes to candles, consider using embeds. This can be glitter,
marbles, colorful rocks, sea shells, crystals, or anything else that won’t
burn.
You will need a hot glue gun to stick the wick to the bottom
of the holder you plan to use. Hold firmly in place until the wick sticks. To
make centering easier, mark the bottom of the holder with a red or black marker
right in the center. The wick should then be placed on top of the mark. Leave
the wick long enough to reach outside of the holder. You will trim it later. To
melt the gel, cut it into small strips. For best results melt it in a double
boiler at medium heat. The gel should be heated to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. A
quality thermometer is a great investment as the gel won’t set properly if you
don’t get it hot enough and it will lose the glossy color if you get the
temperature too high.
If you desire to add color to your gel candles, add it in
slowly. The colors show more vibrantly in gel candles than wax candles so you
will need a lot less than what you use if you make wax candles. Stir the color
into the melted wax slowly. If you aren’t happy with the color you can slowly
add more. If you plan to use embedded objects in the candle, it is suggested
you keep the gel candle color very light. Next, add fragrance if you desire.
1/3 teaspoon is all you need for each glass of melted gel.
For best results, heat your container in the microwave for
about one minute. This will eliminate those unsightly bubbles that can form on
gel candles. Immediately after removing the holder from the microwave, start
adding your embeds. You will want to dip them in the hot gel to get them to
stick in the holder. You can arrange embeds any way you desire. For best
results push them towards the edges of the holder so that they can easily be
scene. You can create embed patterns or add them loosely.
It is important not to keep the gel very hot while
completing the embed process. Once you have that done, pour the gel into the
holder. If you allow the gel to cool before pouring it in the holder you will
end up with clumps of gel throughout the candle. Make sure the wick is hanging
over the top of the holder before pouring in the gel. Once the gel has set,
trim it to the size you desire.
Making gel candles is easy, fun, and inexpensive. It is a
great way to make your own beautiful candles for using, giving as gifts, or
selling. There are wonderful books with plenty of pictures of gel candle
designs you can try, or simply create your own.
No comments:
Post a Comment