Color Your Candles With Old Crayons
If you have kids, you most likely have plenty of old crayons around the house that are no longer used. Before throwing them out, consider using them to make candles. This can be a great way to turn them into something new and useful again. Most children will love the idea of making candles and enjoy knowing their old crayons were used to make them. Making candles out of crayons can also be a great gift idea.
Make sure your kids know about safety before starting your project. Since the crayons will have to be melted at a high heat, they may not be able to participate in that part of the candle making process. Assure them that there are many other aspects of the candle making that they can be a part of.
To start, gather your supplies. In addition to the crayons, you will need a wax carton. This can be from milk, fabric softener, or orange juice container. You will also need paraffin wax, two full ice cube trays, a double boiler, and white packing string. If you don’t want to use your double boiler, an old coffee can and a saucepan will work just as well.
Trim the top off of the wax carton, leaving it approximately six inches high. Cut the string for the wick at least 8 inches long. You will later trim the wick to fit the holder. To ensure a wick that burns easier, take three pieces and braid them together. Use smaller pieces of string to tie the ends together. The holders for your candles can be anything you desire as long as they are non-flammable. Pretty vases, glasses, and jars work nicely.
Melt about three pounds of paraffin wax in the double boiler or coffee can. To help it melt faster, cut it into small chunks. Melting will take about 15 to 20 minutes. While the wax is melting, peel the papers off of the old crayons. You and your children can choose to separate the colors by lights and darks to have a mix that combines well or you can mix them all together and see what the color ends up being.
For best results, only add the crayons to the wax after it has completely melted. After melthing the crayons and wax, pour the mixture into your candles holders as soon as possible. If you would like to make scented candles, try adding a splash of cinnamon or vanilla to your hot wax mixture.
It is important that the candles be left alone to completely harden. Make sure you have an area where this can be done. It is also important to make sure small children can’t reach them because the wax will stay hot for several hours and can cause serious injuries.
Making candles out of old crayons is a great way to spend the afternoon creating a fun project with your kids!
Soy Candle Making
Soy candles, compared to other waxes are easier on the environment and can be considered “green”. Most candles are made from petroleum by-products, and their manufacture produces gases that aggravate the greenhouse effect. Soy candles can be used for all your lighting needs just the same as standard store bought candles. They are made from soy wax, another form of soybean oil, and are thus less harmful to the environment than any other kind of candle that you can buy.
You can find Soy candles in all types of stores and online avenues as more and more people are starting to use them. You can enjoy number of advantages by using soy candles which includes money saving, free of pollution, less soot generation and faster scent dispersion.
Compared to paraffin candles, wax spills from a soy candle can be cleaned very easily by using soap and water. Because of the versatility and usability of soy, you can easily make them at home and sell them online or through local retail shops for a profit.
Compared to making other candles, How to make soy candles is actually quite easy. It is a helpful idea to prepare all the necessary raw materials including the containers and mason jars you will be using before you begin the soy candle making. The containers you have chosen to use for this process need to be very clean and dry. If you wish to create a fatter candle, a wider wick might be necessary.
The first step to make soy candle is heating the wax in a pot you have designated. The recommended flame or heat is medium until the wax has softened completely. Once the wax is completely softened, add any desired scented oils to the wax and blend it completely so the scent gets dispersed evenly.If you’d like to make candles of a combination of different colors, you can mix a wax dye with a combination of your choice.
The next step is to transfer the melted soy wax slowly into a jar and place the wick in the center with the help of a wooden stick. Once the wick is placed, wait a few minutes for the wax to solidify then trim the wick.
Not only is soy candle making a great past time, but it is also a great way to supplement your income if you are worried about today’s economy. The soy candles could be sold in retail shops or you could sell them online through online retailers, ebay or amazon.
Concerned about the deteriorating environmental conditions and want to make some effort to protect it? Then using soy candles for your daily use may be a good idea. Because these candles are made from soy wax, they are more Eco friendly than any other candle being made. Compared to other candle making options, soy is very user friendly.
How to Make Gel Candles
Article brought to you by Easy Craft Ideas
Lovely gel candles that you see in the shops are not as hard to make as you might think! Follow our instructions to make them yourself at home at a fraction of the cost.
Materials
Gel Wax
Gel candle dye
Gel candle scent
Wick and wick base
Spoon
Knife
Craft sticks
Double boiler
Thermometer
Candle Gel
Candle gel is made from polymer resin and mineral oil. The polymer resin transforms the liquid mineral oil into a material that is more solid and transparent.
Candle gel is sold in three different types, low density, medium density and high density. The thicker or more dense the gel is the more scent it can hold and the heavier objects you can embed in it without them falling to the bottom of the container. However a heavier gel will take longer to melt and be harder to work with. Read more
How to Make Candles - Beeswax Candles
Article brought to you by Easy Craft Ideas
Candle making from Easy Craft Ideas
The easiest form of candle to make is a beeswax candle as you don’t have to melt the wax before forming the candle. Beeswax candles are the oldest form of candle and are made from all natural materials. Follow our guide on how to make candles and you will soon have some lovely home made candles!
Materials
Sheet of beeswax
knife
candle wick
scissors
Method
For a pillar candle the sheet does not need to be cut. If you are making a tapered candle cut the sheet in half diagonally. Cut the wax in half for a votive candle.
Measure the length of the beeswax and cut the wick so it is 2″ longer.
Place the wick on the beeswax sheet about a 1/4″ from the edge and protruding at the bottom and top by 1″. Roll the sheet around it pressing tightly against the wick to hold it in place.
Firmly press on the edge to mould it into the candle and hold it tightly. Press the bottom of the wick into the bottom of the candle to make a flat surface.
You’re candle is now ready to light!
Another very easy way to make candles is with gel. Gel is the hottest new trend in candle crafting. This transparent substance burns longer and looks prettier than wax. This guide below includes the basics with decorating suggestions, tips and Illustrations.
Click here to buy Gel Candles