Sand candles
These are pretty neat looking candles. All you needto make this "mold" is some sand in a bucket, I think damp sand would work best. Simply dig out the disired shape in the sand or press in a bowl, using a bowl will make a much more uniform candle, put you wick in and pour. The finished results will be the candle with sand on the outside of it. Cool! The wax needs to be poured hot! around 200 degrees.
Water Baths
are used to give the candle a smooth finish, and to cool the candle quicker. (Water baths are mostly used for metal candle molds). To do this bath, after pouring the wax wait about 30 seconds and tap the sides to make sure you get all the bubbles out. Then weight down the mold in the bath.
Neat Effects
We have discovered that the oil in the liquid scent causes a really neat effect inside the candles. It makes the wax look like it has large flakes in it? It is really hard to describe. This only happens if you use a lot of scent, or mineral oil. This effect is called mottling. Use 3TBS mineral oil per 1# of wax.
Applique
You can add wax to the outside of candles in various shapes and colors to add a neat affect. You will need cookie cutters and a baking pan (cookie sheet), and a core candle. Avoid using a small pilar core candle it is hard to make the appliques stick to them. To start heat and color some wax, pour the wax into the baking sheet. As the wax starts to harden, but is still warm start to cut out the shapes. Don't let the wax get too hard or you won't be able to cut it. After the shapes have fully cooled, place the shapes in hot tap water. Once they are plyable take the shape and press it against the core candle. Once it has stuck to the candle place the candle into cold water, repeat for all the appliques. Once you have finished this step add a drop of paraffin wax or tacky wax to the back of the applique and press it against the candle. Repeat for the rest of the appliques.
Tye Dye Candles
Ok I think I figured a way that you could make a candle that has streaks of color in it. What I did was take the concentrated dye blocks from Yaley's and shave off very small amounts of color.
Then after I poured the wax into the mold I waited just a couple of minutes, then dropped the shavings as close to the sides as I could. That is not easy, as it cools they tend to go to the middle. In my first candle I didn't put enough shavings I was afraid that they would color the entire candle. But I did get a few streaks of color! I do plan on trying this again. Something else that might work is to get a larger block of color but dip it into the candle, hold onto it with something and swirl the block in and out. Just a thought! Let me know if you try either of these techniques, I would like to know of any success or failures. :o)
Embellishing Candles
I have recently seen some different ways to embellish the outside of candles, some are very
pretty others a little odd. You can paint on the outside of the candle with acrylic paints, you
can use rub n' buf on the outside which comes in many colors. You can also use modge
podge and put your favorite napkin or paper on the outside of it or hot glue a string of pearls
on. The oddest thing I have seen is the use of hot glue. Yes you heard me right HOT GLUE!
You can now buy hot glue in a variety of colors even glitter. To make this effect on your
candles simply take your hot glue gun and drizzle one entire stick of a single color on the
candle useing up and down motions. Once that color is done go on to the next color, until you
have the desired effect. This looks like a candle covered in string confetti. You can also use
hot glue to write on the surface of the candle. Just scratch what you want to write onto the
candle. It is that easy. Like I said some of these things are a little odd but they might just be
the effect that you are looking for.
