Innovative candle making

Even though you may be new to candle making it does not mean you want to make a plain candle. An easy project for a beginner is to make a two colored candle so here is the project details:

TWO COLORED PILLAR CANDLE

If you don't feel confident using two colors to start, just use one and then go on to using two or more colors at a later date.

For each candle you will need:

Pillar Wax
51-32-18z six inch Wick
Two colours of dye of your choice
Fragrance oil
1 milk carton rinsed, dried and cut to 6"deep
6 inch Wick Pin

Method:

Step 1
Prepare your mold. Insert wick pin through the bottom of the mold. Secure the base of the wick pin to the mold using blue tac.

Step 2
Melt your wax to 170-175 degrees using your thermometer.

Step 3
Add your candle dye. Use only candle dyes suitable for candle wax. Add your dye slowly (checking for color) and be sure that you stir it for a full 2 minutes, using a wire wisk so that the wax and dye blend together.

Step 4
Add your fragrance oil, stirring again for a further 2 minutes to blend fully. Watch your temperature and keep it between 170 - 180 degrees when adding your fragrance.

Step 5
To make a multi colored candle you can just layer the colors straight up the candle.

BUT if you want to achieve a multi-coloured candle with the color angled, you will need to slant your mold and to do this effectively you will need to find something that will hold the mold at an angle safely and securely.

Step 6
Warm your pour pot and you can start pouring your first color.

I would suggest pouring the first color at 170 degrees (you may need to experiment with this - take notes!) REMEMBER use your thermometer and keep your wax at all times between 170 - 185 degrees.

Step 7
Let the first color cool until firm, but not pulling away from sides. The mold and wax should still be slightly warm when you pour the second color. This will help with them setting together.

Step 8
Pour the second color at close to 168 degrees and if using only two colors, fill up the mold.

When you use the last colourit is suggested that you poke a relief hole in the top beside the wick (don't pierce the color below) and top up the candle for a flat finish on the top. You may get away with this when ensuring that the candle has a flat top.

POINTS TO NOTE
It is important that the temperature of the second color is cooler than the first, otherwise the two colours will blend. It is also important that it is not too cool or the layers will not stick together.

Step 9
Allow the candle to harden and then slide from the mold.

Step 10
Clean the molds.

Depending on the number of colors you use as to how many times you will need to angle the mold. This is a great method to play with and come up with some interesting color combinations and different widths of wax colours.

Make candles with an open mind and you will find there are all sorts of types you may create.

As an example you can see that the candle is two colours and through the middle a more advanced technique is used to blend them, then on the outside a gold finish has been added.

Here is a thought for Valentine's Day. If you make some heart shaped candles in red they will be perfect for a romantic evening.

You could either make them in heart-shaped moulds or another technique is to place some non-stick baking paper in a cooking tray and pour your wax into it. Gently tap the tray and level out the wax. When the wax has cooled but not set use a heart-shaped cookie cutter and cut out the shapes. Push a wick up through the bottom and cut off.

These can then be used as floating candles or in little dishes on the table.