Pillar candles add a stylish touch of elegance to your home
and even to your dinner table as part of a centerpiece. I have seen then used
before on the tables at wedding receptions in the colors of the wedding. It was
very appealing. Pillar candles come in all colors and scents. They are called
pillars because they are round and tall like a pillar. There is no standard
size though, as pillar candles come in many widths and heights. Occasionally,
pillar candles are found with a unique design such as a ridge on the top and
bottom.
Making pillar candles is quite simple. This type of candle
is one of the most common for candle makers to indulge in. To make pillar
candles, you will need molds. You can find them in all sizes at most craft stores.
You can also get them online. Many online auction sites including Ebay and
Yahoo offer several pillar candle molds for one great price. These molds can be
found make of silicon, aluminum, or plastic. For best results, choose pillar
candle molds that are made of aluminum. They allow the wax to cooler better,
resulting in a smooth finish on the candles. They are also very durable.
To get started, decide on the size of candles you want to
make and how many. There are charts in candle making books and on the internet
that can help you determine how many pounds of candle wax you will need to
complete your project. You will also need dye to color the candles and
fragrances if you wish to add that to your candles.
You will need quality wick to make pillar candles. The wider
the candle you will be making, the wider wick you want. To make this easier,
simply purchase a standard type of wick. You can braid three pieces together to
make a thicker wick for wider candles. Many of the pillar candle molds have a wick
holder built. In simply slide a wick the diameter of the whole into it and
eliminate the guess work. Make sure you dip the wick into the melted wax before
attaching it to the candle mold. Keeping the wick in place can be tricky. A
good trip is to cut the wick several inches longer than you need. Then tie it
to a pencil or skewer sitting across the top of the candle mold. This will
ensure the wick is centered as the candle begins the cooling process.
Once your candle wax is at the proper temperature, add in
anything you want to be including in your candle including dye, scents, and
additives. Immediately after, pour the hot wax into the pillar candle molds. Do
not pour wax all the way to the top of the mold. You want to leave about four
or five inches unfilled.
While for most candles you make, leave the candles to cool.
Pillar candles need some further assistance during the cooling process. Once
the top of the wax has started to become solid, you will need to add small
relief holes to help with shrinkage. If you don’t create the relief holes your
candles will get air pockets that keep them from hardening properly.
Once the candles have completely cooled, pour melted wax
into the holes you created on the candle. Make sure the wax is about fifteen
degrees hotter than what you had the wax at the first time you poured it. Allow
the candle to completely cool down again. Your candles should slide out of the
molds easily. If they don’t put them in the refrigerator for half an hour. Your
candles should be smooth and beautiful. Make sure to trim the wick and you are
ready to burn your pillar candles.
Pillar candles are beautiful. The simple design fits well
with the décor in any room of your home. These candles make excellent gifts and
center pieces. Pillar candles are easy to make and the supplies are
inexpensive. This makes pillar candle making an excellent project, hobby, or
money making project. Pillar candles burn for hours, ensuring you will get
hours of enjoyment from your endeavors.
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