Making Scented Candles

Scented candles add a certain amount of elegance to a room. The candlelight from any candle gives the room a romantic feeling. However, when a fragrance is added to the room through a scented candle, the elegance of the room grows.

You can use fragrance oil that is available at most craft stores or online for your scented candles. It is better to use oil rather then a water-bases or alcohol-based perfume in wax because most waxes are close to oil in their chemical composition. Water and oil do not mix. So, by using water-based perfumes, the liquid will simply float to the bottom of your melted wax.

The wonderful thing about scented candles is that the fragrance is noticed even when the candle is not lit. They make wonderful gifts and are appreciated even more when they are handmade. The process of making scented candles is the same as making regular candles. You will need to consider which kind of wax you are going to use.

There are several kinds of wax that are available today. There are natural waxes like soy, palm, or beeswax. There is also paraffin wax which is your basic wax that most candles are made of and there are also gel candles. Both of these types of wax can be used to make scented candles also. Although, with gel candles, you have to consider how much fragrance you are planning to use before you choose your wax. Gel wax with a lesser density can not hold as much fragrance as gel wax with a higher density.

In order to make any type of candle, you have to first melt the wax before you can pour it into your candle mold. You have to use a double boiler to melt the wax. Place a smaller pot that has the wax in it into a larger pot that is filled with water. Be careful not to put the temperature of the stovetop too high because wax can burn. You can use a thermometer and heat the wax to be around 170-180 degrees.

Add the wick to the mold. After the wax is melted, you can remove it from the heat source. It is now time to add the fragrance oil. You can add one ounce of fragrance oil to one pound of wax. This will give you a 6% fragrance concentration.

Make sure that you do not add too much fragrance. Although it may seem like the more fragrance the better, this is not always the case. Certain problems can arise from using too much fragrance. One thing that could happen is that the candle will not burn properly because of the higher concentration of liquid. You might end up with pools of liquid in the candle.

You can always experiment with you candle making. You can keep records of how much fragrance you use to how much wax and find you own scented candle recipe.

Using things like scents and colors gives you much more variety of the things that you can create in your candle making. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to give a loved one a gift of a candle with the essence of relaxation and a calming sent to go along with it? Now that you understand a little bit more about how to make scented candles, you can do it.

7 Tips For Making Scented Candles

Making scented candles will most likely be a large part of your candle making work and a large percentage of your candle range if you are making candles to sell. Customers love the fragrance of scented candles and use them for all different occasions.

There is a huge range of candle fragrances available so it would be unlikely that a small home candle making business would even consider using all scents but would possibly choose eight to ten as their basic range fragrances.

Putting a candle range together to sell requires some prior planning. The candle fragrances and the candle colors need to be coordinated well for the best overall effect of a range that is going to be displayed together. To do this requires the fragrance to match the color of the candle. Decide which is the most important to you - the color of the candles you make or the fragrances that you want to offer. From there you can decide which fragrances to choose and what colors to use to match the fragrances that you have decided upon. For example you would not want to have a pink candle smelling of sandlewood. A sandlewood candle would be better in a cream or earthy tones whereas a pink candle would be more appealing in a rose or floral perfume.

If selling wholesale this selection is not quite so important because each color and fragrance range will stand alone rather than be seen as a whole and customers will choose what they want to promote. For more ideas on range co-ordination visit a candle shop and see how they put their ranges together on display.

7 Tips For Making Scented Candles:

• Select each scent with care, keeping in mind your client base - ask yourself why your clients would buy that particular scented candle?


• Use quality fragrances as they will throw a better scent - they do cost a little more initially but because less is used of the concentrated scents the end cost is similar


• Check to see that the scent you plan to use suits the type of wax that you are planning to use


• Add scents tentatively as you can always add more but you cannot remove it


• Add candle scents just prior to pouring because this will eliminate too much of the fragrance being evaporated due to heat


• Remove the melted wax from the heat before adding the scent


• Mix through with a wire whisk as this mix the scent through evenly

These candle making tips should help you create great scented candles for your candle range in colors and fragrances that will be appealing to your clientele. Also keep in mind that on display, a candle range can show paraffin wax candles, beeswax candles and gel candles all in the one setting if they all have the same candle scent. Again it is a matter of how you want to put your candle range together.
 

A Buyer's Guide to Understanding Candle Wax Types

The earliest forms of candles were made from animal fats. While considered a natural wax, these candles burn poorly and have a foul stench associated with them. Over time, other natural sources of wax have been found that are cleaner and longer burning, as well as sweeter smelling.

Palm Wax
Is likely the longest burning type of natural wax. It is also one of the most difficult to work with, and as such, can be expensive. It is virtually smokeless, and when combined with a cotton wick, leaves virtually no soot in the air when burned. Soy wax, is also longer burning, with less soot, but the inconsistencies and beanish aroma found in most waxes leave soy as a fair, not superior choice.

Beeswax
Highly prized for it's long, clean burning, dripless design, is also a costly wax, making these types of candles more of a luxury item. The honey scented candles, while lovely, can taint any scent added to it. Beeswax candles are typically made with no additional fragrances.

Bayberry
Like beeswax, is an expensive wax, and best suited to tarts or tapers, as larger diameter candles do not burn as well. Authentic bayberry has an olive to dark olive appearance, may have a white "bloom" on the exterior and is generally blended with another wax (usually beeswax) to eliminate the brittleness of pure bayberry. The scent is that of new mown hay, and does not blend well with other fragrances.

Paraffin 
Is one of the oldest man-made types of candle wax, and is traditionally the least expensive. It comes in various melt points, and can be modified using additives that effect hardness, burn rate, clarity, and lustre of a candle. Very few candles today are made with pure paraffin, as burn times are very short, and the candles do not hold up under warmer weather. Generally, pure paraffin candles are used as disposable tealights for warming other items (like tart warmers). The most common additive for paraffin candles is vybar, which is designed to strengthen the candle, increase burn time, and help the candle hold up under warmer weather. Most major manufacturers, including PartyLite have used vybar in their paraffin wax recipes. Paraffin also is an allergen, and some people may have allergic reactions to it. Mineral Oil based candles are a great alternative for the paraffin allergic.

Mineral-oil Based Candles 
Consist of container type gel candles and free-standing clear wax candles. Heavenly Gem pillar candles made by the giving candle are based on a mineral oil/resin compound, much like the retired and still popular PartyLite Auroraglow candles. Unlike "traditional" gel candles, these candles are not poured into glass containers, but are free standing, like any paraffin pillar candle. They burn cleanly, evenly, you can see straight through them with no bubbles, and can hold more fragrance than a paraffin candle, and burn significantly hotter than paraffin, resulting in virtually no soot or allergic reactions.

Gel Candles
Are also a mineral-oil based product, but are full of bubbles, and earned quite a bad reputation. Gel candles have been known to "explode" and cause fires or thermal burns. In fact, most of the problem is directly related to the container, not the gel itself. INSIST on glass containers designed to withstand the heat of a burning candle . Generally champagne glasses, while very attractive, were never meant to tolerate that kind of heat. As a result, the glass heat fractures, then shatters, and sends bits of molten gel and glass shrapnel in every direction. If you insist on buying thin glass gel candles, DO NOT LIGHT THEM! You're only asking for trouble.

By understanding the differences in candle waxes, you can make an educated decision about the kinds of candles to buy for your needs. Gel candles are great for decorations, but unless you take specific precautions, can be dangerous. Natural wax candles are a more expensive, but healthier alternative to the traditional paraffin candle. Traditional paraffin candles continue to be the number one choice of candle buyers around the globe as an economical source of home decor and fragrance. Clear wax candles offer a healthier alternative to paraffin, the elegant look of a gel candle and the functionality and scent load of a traditional candle.

Shop with smarts and know your candles!





Lisa Robbin is the Director of Product Development for the giving candle, the maker of Heavenly Gems resin-based clear candles. Lisa writes articles on all things candle related in an effort to educate consumers about making the most out of their candle purchases.

You can email her directly at lisa@thegivingcandle.com

Article Source: A Buyer's Guide to Understanding Candle Wax Types

Easy Scented Candle Making Instructions

Ever wondered how to make scented candles? These aromatic bits of glowing wax enhance a mood or create an ambiance when lit; or tell your friends and family you remember them when given as gifts. And they're easy to make with this simple guide to homemade scented candle making.

Scented candles can create or change the ambiance of a room so choose your scents carefully. And always get oil-based candle making fragrances. Remember that alcohol and water based scents may separate from the wax, puddling in pockets in the finished candles.

Choosing the candle wax is much simpler. Petroleum based paraffin wax is the most commonly used. Vegetable based natural wax from soy and palm are used by those who claim it burns "clean" meaning with little residue. Animal based beeswax, favored for being a natural wax, is pricier and harder to melt than the other types of waxes. And there's gel wax, chosen for its translucent quality. For scented candles, get the high density gel wax for best absorption of fragrance oils.

Now that you have your wax and scents, make sure your equipment is at hand. You will need a double boiler - just set a small pot or tin in a bigger pot with boiling water on the stove. You will also need a stirrer made of plastic or metal, thermometer that measures up to 300 degrees F, jars, containers or molds for your candle, wicks, and of course, your chosen fragrance oil. As a safety precaution, have a chemical fire extinguisher on hand.

Next, take your molds or containers and place them on old newspapers to catch any spills. Position your wicks by tying each to a pencil or stick and setting it on the rim of the mold.

If using paraffin, soy or palm wax, melt in a double boiler. Gel wax can be melted in a pot directly over the heat, just watch that it doesn't get too hot as it can ignite. Stir gently and check the temperature; don't go over 170-180 degrees for paraffin and natural wax, and 200-220 degrees for gel wax. Unlike paraffin and natural wax which turn watery when melted, gel wax is melted when it reaches a syrupy consistency.

When the wax has thoroughly melted, turn off the heat and take the pan off the stove. Slowly blend in your fragrance oil. For every pound of wax, add 1 oz. fragrance oil. You can make adjustments more or less on your next batch. Remember, you just want a tantalizing hint of scent, not a direct assault on the nose. Pour into the prepared molds making sure the wicks are centered. The candles will take at least 6 hours to cool and harden completely after which they are ready to be released from the mold/s.

For your personal use or to give as gifts, not much can beat the sweet smell of scented candles, especially one you've made yourself.

Scented Candles

Scented candles are always fit for any season and occasion - and they're fairly easy to make. You can place them on your living room, bathroom, or bedroom; they also make great gifts to friends and family members. You can incorporate fragrances and colors of your choice. Scented candles can either calm or invigorate your senses. Plus, the materials are so cheap, you'll be tempted to make a crate full of scented candles.

For starters, you can choose either essential oils or fragrance oils. Essential oils emit a strong odor, due to the fact that it takes a large quantity of plans and flowers just to make a vial of essential oil. Essential oils have come a long way from just being used on perfumes to now being the foundation for scented soaps, food flavoring and drink mixes. Fragrance oils, on the other hand, are composed of synthetic chemicals that emulate the scent of essential oils, making them a practical and environmentally-friendly solution.

Apart from the basic candle wax and oils, you'll also need these important ingredients and tools to brush up your candle's quality:

1. Paraffin Wax or Soy Wax
You can choose either of the two, though do note that paraffin wax is commonly used these days.

2. Candle dye blocks
These concentrated dye blocks will give your candle the desired color and shade it needs. A decent shaving of a candle dye block is more than enough to give 10 lbs. of candle wax the color it needs. You can search Google to find out more about candle colors and their meanings/significance.

3. Cold Water Baths
Basically, a cold water bath is a bucket filled with cold or room-temperature water. This process accelerates the cooling of the wax once it's set on the mold. The mold should not submerge into the cold water bath.

4. Wax Mold
There are several wax molds of the different shapes, sizes, and contours you can buy locally and online. You can improvise by using a coffee can or a something of similar structure and composition.

5. Candle Thermometer
This is a specially-designed thermometer - which, by the way, is cheaply priced - used to determine the correct pouring temperature for candle wax.

6. Kitchen Stove and Cauldron or Pot
Just like the cold water bath, the mold should not submerge into the boiling water. Keep the water level in the pot significantly lower than the height of the mold.

7. Candle Wick
Choose a wick that's the same height as your candle; otherwise trim it down.

8. Stirring Spoon
Use this to stir the wax with the fragrance and dye block shreds to get equally distributed amounts of fragrance and color.

Finally, when you have everything set, follow these easy and intuitive steps in candle making:

1. Slice and dice the wax into cubes or small chunks. This will hasten the melting process.
2. Boil the water to a desirable temperature. Make sure it doesn't go above 212 F.
3. Submerge the mold or can (which should now contain the wax) into the cauldron or pot. Don't let the wax leak into the flames below the cauldron or pot.
4.  Using your thermometer as reference, keep stirring the wax until it reaches the sweet spot of 160 F. Make sure all the chunks melt.
5. When all the chunks have melted, lower the heat to a point where the water becomes warm enough to maintain the liquid form of the wax.
6. Add and the dye shreds and the fragrance. Experiment a bit until you get your desired shade and fragrance.
7. Turn the heat up a bit after you've gotten you're finished with the color and fragrance. Keep temperatures at a standard 160 F.
8. Dip the wick into the melted wax and give an allowance of two to three inches on the exposed end.
9. Turn off the stove and hold the wick for a bit until the wax partially solidifies enough to hold the wax on its own.
10. You can now submerge the wax mold into the cold water bath.
11. Wait for the wax to solidify, and then trim off any lumps or jagged edges.

Congratulations, you've now just made your first handmade scented candle!

Check out this easy step-by-step visual guide that will show you how to make perfect scented candles click here

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Candle Making Crafts Is a Fun Hobby

There is a variety of candle making crafts that can be enjoyed as a hobby. Candle making is an extremely relaxing and creative hobby. It can be as easy or as difficult as you wish to make it. You can start with pre-made candles and make tapered candles or use pre-made candles to make ice candles for example.

Candle making crafts require wax, wicks, scents, embellishments and molds or glass containers in which to pour the wax.

Making Scented And Sand Candles

Scented, decorated work really looks good for your finished pieces. To add scent to your craft pieces, simply add the essential oils to the wax and you can make aromatherapy candles. Even better, various spices and herbs such as cinnamon sticks can be used for creating unusual scents and molds.

Decorations and many embellishments such as dried flowers and dried fruit peels can also be used. However, lighter colored wax should be used to make the candles translucent and enable the peels and the decorations to show through.

Another classic rendition of such crafts is the sand candle. Simply take an empty jar or a bottle, pour in colored sand and place a wick on top of the sand. Pour in the colored wax and this creates your perfect piece.

Another variety is the keepsake candle. These are made to remember a special occasion, for example remembering the first birthday of your child. To make a keepsake candle, simply put in a small toy of the baby in a glass jar and then pour wax over it. This will become the keepsake for your child.

There are numerous ways in which mementos can be used for creating gel keepsake candles which have turned out to be very very popular because they look so angelic.

Using Containers And Candle Carving

Candles can be made in a variety of bizarre containers. The spookier it is, the better it would be when the hobbyist is using their expertise. There are varieties of containers that can be effectively used for creating attention-grabbing candles.

Candle carving is one of the most challenging aspects of the candle making crafts. This is a difficult art to master. However, once the expertise level is attained in this field with regular practice and dedication, it can provide hours of pleasure to the hobbyist.

Remember, the candles should be carved as soon as the candle has cooled and become slightly hard to carve. The minimum diameter for a candle to be carved should be at least 3.5 inches.

Experience with the candle making crafts is extremely rewarding. You can best utilize your hobby for special occasions such as Christmas and Halloween. Candles are also the ideal gifts for everyone especially during the Holiday and New Year seasons.

How to Make Your Own Tea Light Candles

A great idea for a gift or party favour is the highly effective and functional tea light candle. They are cute, handy, and great for all homes whether in the kitchen, the bathroom, or any room in the house for that matter.

Not only are these a good gift idea, but they are also a good craft project for people of all ages as well as a practical item for daily home use and decorating.

Tea light candles are great for any home, especially for those homes where people love to cook. Lighting up a tea light candle is a great way to dissipate those harsh vapours that can cause people to tear up when slicing onions. They are also great to deodorize the home from the doors of fish, oil, and other cooking ingredients.

Tea lights bought from the shop are not that expensive. However, you can still get them cheaper by making them yourself, which is a good idea if you need to get them in bulk for party favours or other occasions.

Additionally, by making them yourself, you can also customize them with your own colours and scents.

These candles are very easy to make and it only takes a little bit of knowledge, imagination, creativity and patience to make them. But before doing that, make sure you are prepared.

The first thing to do is to bring all the necessary equipment into one area. Then get all the usual materials for the candle making. Get the plastic or aluminium tea light cups. All these can be bought at any grocer or craft store in the area. If not, then they are available on-line as well. There are some candle making kits available which will be cheaper to buy and easier to mix together.

There are also some essential oils which can be mixed into the melted wax to make it scented. Add some crayon chips to change the colour. Try to colour coordinate the scent with the colour: yellow for lemon scent, orange for orange scent, and so on and so forth. Use the imagination!

The tea light cups can be pre-wicked or pre-tabbed, or the wicks can be placed in the cups manually. Secure the wicks with a hot glue gun prevent it from moving around when the wax is poured. Make sure to place the cups on a level surface before pouring. Use protective gloves when doing this and to use an apron. Carefully pour the wax into the cups and let cool.

After they have cooled, they are ready for home use, or you can make these into little gifts or party favours. Set them aside or place them in a nice box or bag. The box can be personalized or customized with the name of the gift recipient or guest of honour. Add some ribbons to tie around the tea light cups for added decoration. Embellish the box with ribbons or a cute butterfly on top of the box. You can actually decorate the item with any charm or trinket that suits the occasion or party theme. Hand out the tea lights to your guests. They will be sure to love your simple home made gift.





About the Author:
Criss White writes about arts, crafts, and baby shower topics.

Article Source: How to Make Your Own Tea Light Candles