making own candles..pls help?

Question

I was thinking of making my own floating candles for my wedding reception. Is their a specific type of wax I would need to use?

Answer 1

I would think that you could use parafin or beeswax. Do you have a book on making candles?

The Candlemaker's Companion : A Complete Guide to Rolling, Pouring, Dipping, and Decorating Your Own Candles (Paperback) by Betty Oppenheimer
ISBN: 1580173667

This book is really useful!
* * * *
How to Make Floating Candles
Wax floats, of course, but not all candles do. What's the trick?

Steps:
1. Keep in mind that wider is better as far as stability goes. Look for molds that fit this rule - pudding dishes and some Jell-O molds work well.

2. Put several chunks of wax into the top of a double boiler and set the heat on high. Stir frequently.

3. Prepare the molds and wicks (see Related eHows). You'll want to use wick tabs with these candles.

4. Use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature of the wax. Turn off the heat when the paraffin reaches 180 degrees F.

5. Stir coloring into the melted wax. (See Related eHows.)

6. Add scent by shaving off a few pieces from a scent block or adding 1/8 oz. undiluted candle scent for every 1 lb. wax.

7. Pour the wax into the mold, but don't fill it completely.

8. Wait until the wax begins to form a skin, and then insert the wick by pressing the tab down into the bottom of the mold with a spoon or skewer.

9. Top off the candle and let it cool.

10. Pop it out of the mold, trim the wick to 1/2 inch, and float it in a bowl of water.


Tips:
If you just can't get your candles to float, look for floating candle molds at your craft store. It's not as much fun, but it's not as frustrating.


Warnings:
Only float your candles on water, never any kind of oil.

Be sure that small children and pets are kept out of the candle-making area.

Don't pour wax down your sink - it will cool there and plug up the pipe.

Wax is flammable at high temperatures and should never be left unattended.

Use a fire extinguisher or baking soda rather than water if you have a wax fire.

Paraffin wax will catch fire at 375 degrees F. Flash points for other types of wax vary.

________________________
How to Prepare a Candle Mold and Wick
Making your own candles is a breeze once you know how to do it. This is how to prepare the candle mold and set up the wick before pouring the wax.

Steps:
1. Lubricate the inside of the mold lightly with silicone spray or vegetable oil.

2. Measure the length of the mold and cut the wick 2 to 3 inches longer than you will need when it's finished.

3. Fasten one end of the wick to a wick tab and place the tab in the bottom center of the mold.

4. Hold the wick tab in place with a spot of melted wax.

5. Pull the other end of the wick up to the top and tie it loosely to a pencil or chopstick that spans the opening at the top of the mold.

6. Be sure the wick is straight and centered. You are now ready to pour the wax.


Tips:
The wick can be inserted after the wax is poured. It's a matter of personal preference. This is done by sinking the wick tab in the hot wax.


Warnings:
Be sure that small children and pets are kept out of the candlemaking area.

Don't pour wax down your sink - it will cool there and plug up the pipe.

Wax is flammable at high temperatures and should never be left unattended.

Use a fire extinguisher or baking soda rather than water if you have a wax fire.

Answer 2

This is not what you are asking for but since you mentioned making candles I have to tell you a story. When I was in overnight camp, I believe I was 11. We were all making candles with hot wax and putting them in stirofoam cups to cool down. Well, this kid (who I considered my boyfriend HEHE) came over and he wanted to see if the wax was dry. So what did he do...??? He poured it over my head. Let me know tell you how angry an 11 year old can get. I wailed at the table throwing everyone elses candles on the ground and tipping over the table in front of me. I was furious. I had to sit in the nurses station for four hours watching all the kids swimming in the pool while the nurse picked out the (now hardened) wax with a nit pick! How embarassing hah?
Sorry I don't have a clue on how to make floating candles. My guess would be to buy wax, melt it and by some molds and wicks. Sounds easy enough to me.

Answer 3

How to Make Floating Candles

Answer 4

Soy wax works! You heat it on the oven then put it in a little jar!

Answer 5

bee's wax is best. And remember , wax can BURN so dont heat it over 600 degrees

Answer 6

a kit at wal-mart i think its like 20 dollars

Answer 7

carabuna

Answer 8

figure it out ur self u fricken LAZY BUM!!!!