How to melt a candle at home. Making gel wax at home

• 1. A little about the benefits
• 2. Possible types processing
• 3. What you need to know about wax and safety
• 4. Tools and everything you need
• 5. How to make the first candle

Together with honey, bees bring a little turmoil and pleasant troubles into our lives. Still, the apiary is work, time and attention. Often the presence of an apiary is so exciting that any creative beekeeper also becomes an artisan. Beeswax candles - what could be nicer on a chilly winter evening. They will make life brighter, saturate the air with summer aromas and warmth, and handmade ones will not only be an excellent gift for loved ones, but also a good reserve for the budget.

A little about the benefits

To convince the beekeeper of the benefits of his own products is perhaps unnecessary. However, not everyone knows why beeswax candles are preferable to, for example, paraffin ones. Last when burning:

• release carcinogens into the air;
• contribute to the formation of soot;
• due to industrial non-natural wicks, they can emit toxic fumes;
• when using dyes and flavors become a source of health problems.

Is it possible to compare all these side effects, which can cause not only allergies, but also more serious diseases, such as lungs and mucous membranes, with opportunities from the use of wax.

After all, when burning wax:

• soot is not formed;
• in the absence of additives, the candle burns for a long time and burns out completely, without residue;
• more than 50 essential compounds and substances are released into the air;
• we must not forget about the impurities of propolis in the composition of the crude wax: in this way it directly enters the lungs.

In addition, natural raw materials are a guarantee of interest from urban residents. Megacities and urbanization contribute to a huge interest in the origins. And such a craft has existed for as long as beekeeping.

Possible types of processing

In fact, there are several ways to make candles. Each of them is good in its own way and resonates with potential users:

• the lightest and practically does not require additional processing: a wax sheet is simply rolled around the wick. There are not so many opportunities for creativity, but this method is one of the oldest;
• to use the second, minimal heat treatment is required: the wick is dipped into a container with liquid wax, increasing the volume of the candle over and over again. It is clear that there is no question of the correspondence of the form to modern requirements - this is a purely utilitarian thing;
• casting into molds. Perhaps this method provides a lot of opportunities for the realization of ideas. Even if you pour the wax into a simple cylindrical shape and then cut out the designs, it will still be a molded candle.

Casting in molds has a huge reserve for a creative person: you can buy them any of your choice, or you can create them yourself.

What you need to know about wax and safety

Before embarking on the execution of the plan for your candle factory, you should familiarize yourself with the physical properties of wax:

1. melts construction material from bee hives when the temperature rises to 60-70 degrees.
2. At 100 degrees, you will understand whether there was water in the feedstock - it boils and forms a kind of foam.
3. Wax foundation will begin to soar or smoke already at 120 degrees.
4. At 204 degrees, you need to be extremely careful: its vapors ignite.

These are characteristics common to each type of raw material. Meanwhile, it is also different:

• technical or industrial. Actually, this is a mixture of wax with additions, sometimes they are paraffin, such raw materials have already undergone industrial processing;
• raw or bee has the most natural origin. It is obtained directly from honeycombs in wax melters or melting pots. It can be conditioned, provided that the bees did not have any diseases and excessive chemical treatments, or vice versa - substandard;
• bleached. This is a natural, natural building material of bees, only without the inevitable impurities in the composition. Otherwise, it is called cosmetic.

When working with him, there are rules that must be followed:

1. The slower the wax heats up, the easier it is to work with. When heated, it is recommended to use water bath. This is the easiest way to regulate the temperature. The process needs constant monitoring: it is impossible to leave.
2. It is necessary to completely exclude contact with water: it is dangerous. Hot wax will cause rapid evaporation and splashing of boiling water.
3. Inflammable raw materials must be extinguished using dry methods: limiting air access.
4. When working, avoid contact with open fire: an accidental drop is fraught with fire.

It would not be superfluous to recall that children and animals in working area entry is prohibited. So you create the risk of injury for them with your own hands.

Tools and everything you need

In addition to wax, you need to stock up on some inventory. At first, ordinary dishes and utensils found in the house are enough, and then, perhaps, you will need your own workplace. So, you need:

• gloves, sleeves and an apron - it is unlikely that you will never be able to drip on clothes;
• a table, constant access to water, a stove for heating and a hair dryer for leveling surfaces;
• cutting board, hammer, knives and chisel for grinding wax, wick scissors;
• two containers for a water bath: large diameter for water, pebbles or a metal stand for hot dishes are laid out on its bottom, and a saucepan of a smaller diameter is placed on top for melting wax. It must be either enameled or ceramic: otherwise the wax darkens;
• napkins. Preferably paper, not textile, there should be a lot of them. At first, without skill, they help out well;
• nylon for filtering;
• natural wick: 1 to 4 mm. The choice is proportional to the diameter of the future candle;
• wire for fixing the wick.

And most importantly: forms. They are aluminum, polycarbonate and polyurethane. The first two materials provide reusable, heat resistance, but inelastic, which means they do not leave much room for creativity. The latter assumes safe use when temperature regime up to 80 degrees, then it becomes toxic.

The most common are silicone. They suggest availability and a huge choice, high temperature of use (up to 200 degrees), elasticity, and even if they are short-lived, they will help to make up to 200 candles. In the future, it can even be made by hand. There is a trick to using any detachable form - you need elastic bands: while the wax hardens, the halves must be tightly fixed.

How to make your first candle

You must immediately warn: the first may not become a candle in the truest sense of the word. You may not have enough patience or skill, but you need to prepare for the fact that you will have to redo it and not give up if you fail.

The process can be represented as several stages. Their sequence in the future depends on your experience:

1. Preparing the mold and filling the wick. For this, there is a hole in the bottom - the future wick is filled into it. If it is much smaller in diameter, then you can use a small piece of a toothpick - so there will definitely not be a leak of wax. Then the form is tightly fixed in several places with rubber bands. And the end of the wick is brought out right in the center of the form and fixed there with a loop of wire.
2. Preparation of wax: it must be crushed. If the volume of the mold, for example, is 1 cup, then approximately 250 g of wax will be needed. It is easy to determine - it is enough to first measure the volume of the form with water, its ratio to wax is almost the same. The required volume of wax can be immediately placed in a water bath and started heating, or you can add it as it melts.
3. When the water in the lower pan boils, you can begin the process of casting into molds. True, if the wax is unrefined, then it can first be drained through nylon into a separate container and only pour molds from it. If filtration is required, the process must be fast so that the wax does not clump.
4. When the forms are filled along the edges, after 10-15 minutes it is necessary to make several control punctures to the bottom of the form with a knitting needle or a wooden stick and these voids are filled additionally.

Wax cools quickly, but you should not rush the process. Soft and plastic, it may simply not take shape. Therefore, it will be possible to get candles from beeswax after 2-6 hours, depending on the volume of the workpiece.

DIY wax candles

Actually, the bulk of the work has been completed, it remains only to bring the candle to an acceptable form:

1. It is carefully removed, separating the halves of the form in different directions. To do this, remove the rubber bands and wire.
2. Completely cut off the wick from the base.
3. Align the base above the hair dryer or at the bottom of the water bath.
4. Leave the wick itself on top about 1 cm long. For convenience and beauty, it can be dipped in wax.

That's the whole process of making a great gift with your own hands. Who knows, perhaps this is the beginning of a new era in the life of a beekeeper and a candle factory will appear next to some apiary.

Per last years the manufacture of candles from mass production slowly migrated to the home workshops of needlewomen, turning into a creative activity.

Candles, which some century ago were not only the main source of light, but also a kind of indicator of family well-being, used in wealthy homes instead of a smoking torch, have long lost their original meaning. Today, it is important to make candles with your own hands at home in order to use them in a completely different way - as an element of exquisite decor and an invariable attribute of creating a romantic mood.

Making decorative candles as a hobby

Thanks to the simple technology of creation and a large selection of materials for work and decoration, now every craftswoman can open a miniature “candle factory” at home, which will not only bring pleasure from creativity, but can also become additional source making a profit.

The advantage of this type of hobby is that the activity is simple, not boring, and a beautiful result can be obtained quite quickly. For these reasons, making candles at home will appeal to needlewomen of all ages, both venerable and not yet very experienced.

What is needed for creativity

The best part is that you need a minimum set of materials to get started:

• candle gel, wax or paraffin;
• wick or cotton threads without synthetic impurities for its manufacture;
• form for pouring a candle;
• elements for decoration.

Wax or paraffin can be used from ordinary household candles, but it will not be difficult to remove the finished wick from them. Candle gel is also easy to make with your own hands. Instead of an expensive form, you can take any suitable refractory container - a beautiful cup, jar, tin box. In a word, starting a new hobby will not be very expensive. We can say that this is one of the.

Based on the main material used to make candles, two basic technologies are distinguished - wax and gel, which are similar in many respects, but, nevertheless, have their own nuances in work.

The secrets of making candles from wax or paraffin

In the process of creating a product from wax, the most important moment is the melting of the material. Here you will need good skill and speed of action, since melted wax or paraffin cools quickly, besides, it is very hot and can easily burn.

Also, before making a candle with your own hands, it is important to choose the right thickness of the wick: if you make it too thick, the candle will melt and smoke too much, and a very thin one will constantly go out. The twisting density of the wick also plays an important role - for wax and paraffin candles, the threads must be twisted slightly loosely so that the flame does not go out.

There is no universal advice here - the optimal thickness and density of twisting threads for the wick will have to be displayed only on personal experience, the method of trials and experiments. Each master eventually develops his own formula and the secret of successful work.

DIY gel candles

To make beautiful transparent candles that do not emit any smell or smoke, you can use ready-made gel wax, or you can cook consumable on one's own. In the latter case, you need to purchase ingredients such as glycerin, tannin, gelatin, distilled water and mix them, boil over low heat until the liquid has completely evaporated.

This technology is somewhat more complicated than wax, but the result is worth the effort - the products are very elegant and unique. During cooking, the mixture may become cloudy, but this is a temporary phenomenon that disappears immediately after the gel cools down.

The gel opens up a lot of different possibilities for decorating. For example, shells, pebbles, starfish, dried citrus fruits or flowers filled with transparent wax look very beautiful. In this way, women who are looking for can make candles with their own hands at home, since they do not stand out during work harmful substances.

Making scented candles at home

Separately, it is worth mentioning aroma candles - they are also easy to make at home. The advantage of home-made scented candles is that you can be 100% sure that the scented components are environmentally friendly and harmless.

Why learn to make candles

Designers and decorators often use beautiful interior candles to create false fireplaces in houses and apartments. They can also be a good gift or a romantic souvenir, so if you learn how to make a high-quality and original product, then it’s quite possible to make good money on your favorite hobby.

Especially if on the eve of major generally recognized holidays, products with thematic design are made. Handmade products can also be offered to restaurant owners, who often use candles to create an intimate atmosphere in the restaurant in the evening or to give a special festive atmosphere.

Step-by-step master classes with photos

To help those who are just trying their hand at creating "home fires", we have prepared unique master classes with step by step photos. Detailed Instructions will help you to delve into the intricacies of craftsmanship and master difficult moments.

Helpful Hints

V modern world candles are more used as part of the decor, decorating the interior and creating a cozier overall atmosphere. To make a candle at home, you need to know a few rules, for example, what well-made wick is of great importance, since the evenness of the burning of a candle depends on it.

It is also worth knowing that the thickness of the candle depends on the number of threads that are used in its preparation. For example, to make a candle with a thickness of 2 to 7 cm, you need to prepare 15 threads, and for a candle with a diameter of 10 cm, 24 threads are needed. A candle with a diameter that exceeds 10 cm needs 30 threads.

Go to the desired section:

Some useful information about making candles

Use a steamer to melt the wax. It can be replaced with an electric oven. IMPORTANT: do not use glassware.

There are many types of wax, but almost all of them melt at 90 degrees Celsius.

Also I would like to have a thermometer nearby. to help you keep track of the temperature. It is better to use a thermometer with a steel stem and a scale on top. It can be purchased from specialized laboratory equipment stores. A thermometer with a steel stem can be used to stir the wax.

Be careful if you decide to melt the wax over an open fire, as this may cause the wax to ignite.

For extinguishing, use baking soda but not water. It is also worth knowing that overheated wax will begin to release acrolein is a toxic by-product. Don't forget to make sure the room is well ventilated.

How to make a candle with your own hands

Prepare:

An old pan for melting paraffin;

old bowl;

Heat-resistant forms in which future candles will be located;

Several wicks, which can have both paper and wire cores;

wand;

Special holder to stretch the wick in molten paraffin.

To make 3 candles prepare:

40 g stearin powder;

400 g of granulated paraffin;

A dye to give color to the wax;

Flavoring (you can replace it with essential oil).

1. We make the basis for candles:

Place a bowl over a pot of boiling water and pour stearin powder into it;

Wait for the stearin to melt and add 1/4 tablet of wax color to the same bowl;

Put the paraffin in a bowl and heat the water to 80C;

Stir thoroughly all the time;

After melting the entire mass, drip a few drops of essential oil or fragrance.

2. Prepare the wick

Immerse the wick for 5 minutes in melted paraffin;

Let it dry on foil.

3. We proceed directly to the manufacture of candles

Cut off the wick - its length should be slightly longer than the height of the form;

Pass one end of the wick through a special holder, and clamp it with pliers, and wrap the other end around a stick (pencil, for example) and secure;

Lower the holder together with the wick to the bottom of the mold and start pouring the paraffin;

After you have poured the paraffin to the brim, you need to put the stick on the edges of the mold in such a position that the wick is in the very center;

Wait until the mass hardens;

Cut off the wick.

4. Something special

If you want to make your candle unique, you can use your favorite flower, a souvenir, or a fir branch or cone if the candle is for the new year. You can also depict something on the form (you can use a festive stencil).

Helpful Hints

It is better to look for wax that is usually used in the manufacture of church candles;

To color the candle, use powder paints (the best option), oil-based aniline paints, or natural substances.

How to make a gel candle at home

When making candles, you need to be careful and follow all the safety rules, especially if you want to put some kind of decoration inside the candle. Also carefully choose the type of fragrance oil and dye.

Now you need to decide what kind of candle you want to cook. Gel candles are different, and are divided into several groups:

Aquariums, Terrariums and Treasure Candles;

Beer glasses and cappuccino with foam;

Coca-cola and other cocktails;

Rainbows, whirlwinds, fireworks and neon glows;

Fruit preserves;

Ice cream and desserts;

Festive decoration.

Once you have decided on a topic, choose the right one. glass vessel for a candle. Alternatively, you can take a square vase, a glass, a jar of jam or a mug.

It is better to use molds that have a diameter of at least 5 centimeters (which will prevent the flame from being too close to the edges of the vessel);

Look for a transparent or colored form (the candle will look beautiful);

The glass of your mold must be strong.

For cooking you will need:

Flavor;

Dye.

gel candle example

As an example, consider the preparation of an aquarium candle, which will contain marine decorations.

Prepare:

Gel for candles (several colors are possible);

A few clean decorative items that will be inside the candle and decorate it. Since the theme is marine, you can use, for example, shells or toys with a marine theme.

1. Put the candle gel in a water bath;

2. use a slow fire to heat the gel up to 100C;

3. fix the wick with the stem at the bottom of the mold with glue so that the wick is in the middle, which will ensure the best burning of the candle; you also need to fix the wick on top of the form (you can use ordinary threads);

4. it's time to use decorative items that you can arrange as you like on the bottom of the mold - of course, they should not be flammable; you can put some items on initial stage, and others a little later;

5. decor items inside the candle should not be placed closer than 6 millimeters to the wick, and preferably closer to the walls of the form, so that they can be better seen;

6. before you start pouring the gel, it is advisable to heat the mold, and you can do this with a hair dryer - this way you can get rid of the bubbles;

7. watch the temperature of the gel, and when it cools down to 80-90C, you can start slowly pouring the candle;

* most the best option there will be a filling in layers, i.e. first fill in a little gel and after a while, when the gel at the bottom of the form hardens a little, you can fill in a new layer, and so on until the form is filled;

* wait a long time is not worth it if you do not want to see the boundaries of the layers;

* if you use several colors, then you can make them shimmer smoothly in the form, while you also need to wait a bit until the bottom layer hardens a little, otherwise the colors will mix;

8. you can use the candle in a day.

VERY IMPORTANT

* melt the wax only in a water bath and follow the instructions of the mold or wax, as the temperature at which the wax melts depends on factors such as: the quality of the wax and the mold, as well as the type of candle you want to make;

* overheating of wax is hazardous to health and its vapor can ignite if a temperature of 180C is reached;

* for extinguishing burning wax DO NOT use water- use a rag.

* use a clean and dry form;

* Souvenirs with which you want to decorate a candle must be clean and non-flammable (you can wash them with warm mineral oil).

Handmade is gaining more and more popularity. Extravagant jewelry, paintings, toys, decorative elements, gifts - this is only a small part of what enthusiastic craftsmen and amateurs create with their own hands. Today we will talk about how to make a candle at home.

This process does not require special skills and equipment. After reviewing our recommendations and detailed master classes, even beginners can start this exciting process.

CREATING A CANDLE: WHERE TO START

DIY candles are much easier to make than you might think. And the main advantage of such an activity is that the necessary materials are easily accessible. If you look carefully, you will find them even in your home.

MATERIALS FOR HOMEMADE CANDLE

Wax, stearin or paraffin are best suited for work. Moreover, it is better for beginners to start acquaintance with the latter, it is the least whimsical to use. You can purchase paraffin wax from the store or use the leftovers of old white candles.

WICK

As a wick, it is best to use natural threads, ideally thick cotton threads. Do not try to use synthetics: such a wick will quickly burn out and leave behind bad smell. To test the thread for naturalness, simply set fire to its tip. If it melts, forming a solid ball at the end, you have synthetics in front of you.

If you have conceived an unusual candle and are thinking how to make an original wick for it, then use colored floss threads. This is a great and natural material.

Remember important rule: The thicker the candle, the thicker the wick should be.

It's easy to make your own. To do this, prepare a solution: in a glass of water, dissolve 1 tablespoon of salt and 2 tablespoons boric acid. Soak cotton thread or floss in it for 12 hours. Then dry them and twist a tourniquet out of them or braid a pigtail.

If this process seems tedious to you, carefully remove the wick from the finished household candle and use it.

CANDLE MOLD

First of all decide on the configuration of the desired candle, and then try to find a hollow object of the same shape. You may find it useful:

Cardboard packages from milk and juices;
. plastic cups from yogurts and desserts;
. egg shell;
. silicone molds for baking;
. glass goblets, wine glasses, glasses and glasses;
. children's pastries;
. figured forms for ice cream;
. tin and glass coffee jars;
. empty cans.

The only requirement is that the mold material must withstand heating up to 100°C.

Another interesting option- pour candles into beautiful transparent glasses. They will not be available, but they will look very stylish and unusual.

Sometimes scented candles are made in tangerine or orange peel. The fruit is pre-cut in half and the pulp is carefully removed. You can also use large shells or coconut shells.

DYES

A white candle is elegant but boring. Naturally, the question arises of how to color the paraffin in order to get bright interior decorations.

For lovers of candle making, it is best and cheapest to take wax crayons for children's creativity. Would you like to receive a special candle? Look for mother-of-pearl crayons - your creation will be unique.

Do not try to use water-soluble gouache or watercolor - you are in for a fiasco. The dye will inevitably settle to the bottom or fall out in flakes. The finished product will look very unpresentable.

WARE FOR MELTING PARAFFIN

In order to melt the paraffin, you will need a small saucepan for a steam bath and an iron bowl. Experienced craftsmen recommend heating paraffin in a steam bath, considering other methods, including a microwave oven, to be fire hazardous.

We recommend that you first also use this method, proven over the years: place a bowl of paraffin in a container of boiling water. If the candle is planned to be colored, add the chalk immediately and mix the melted mass several times to obtain a uniform color.

FRAGRANTS AND DECOR

Any materials at hand are suitable for decorating candles. First, decide on the topic of your work. Pebbles and shells will effectively complement the candles in nautical style. For the New Year theme, use beads, small cones, small decorative balls, ribbons and bows. Decorate candles for Valentine's Day with hearts, sequins, bows, dried flowers, coffee beans, etc.

It is best to scent homemade candles with essential oils, which can be purchased at the nearest pharmacy. Another option is to find vanilla cinnamon in your kitchen. It is worth adding flavors to melted paraffin at the very end, after staining.

STEP-BY-STEP WORKSHOPS

We bring to your attention a selection of available master classes that will help beginners learn the basic techniques and techniques of work. If you already know how to create candles with your own hands, you can draw interesting ideas from them for implementation in your work.

COFFEE CANDLE

Do you want to create a romantic mood? Light a coffee candle - its divine aroma will take away all worries, leaving only good mood and serenity. It is especially pleasant in rainy autumn or cold winter. And it is also a great gift for any occasion and even without.

*photo by Valentine

For work you will need:
. paraffin;
. whole coffee beans;
. wick;
. two plastic cups different size;
. wick holder - a teaspoon, wooden stick or plastic coffee stirrer.

If you did not find paraffin, take household candles, you can also get a wick from them.

Crush the paraffin into small pieces with a knife to speed up the melting process. If you took store-bought candles, gently crush them with the blunt side of the knife so as not to damage the wick.

Put the paraffin in a glass jar and lower it into a saucepan with warm water. Heat the water over low heat until the paraffin is completely melted in the jar - it should become transparent.

At this time, prepare the form for pouring. In a larger plastic cup, place the smaller one, after filling it with water. There should be a fairly wide space between the walls of the cups. Pour coffee beans up to half the height between the walls.

Pour the melted paraffin into the mold to the level of the grains, wait 10 minutes. Then pour the paraffin up to the edge of the mold and let it harden completely. This will take about an hour.

Carefully pour the water out of the inner beaker and remove it from the paraffin ring. Lower the wick into the workpiece so that it reaches the bottom of the glass. Tie its upper end to the holder and place it on top of the glass, centering the wick.

Pour melted paraffin into the middle of the candle. Place a few grains on top for decoration. Now, until the candle completely solidifies, you will have to wait 4-6 hours.

Carefully remove the frozen candle from the glass. However, it can be cut with scissors to facilitate manipulation.

If you want the grains to be more visible, blow the sides of the product with hot air from a hair dryer. The paraffin will melt and the surface will become embossed.

It turned out to be an excellent aroma candle, isn't it? Do you want to make it even more romantic? We invite you to create heart-shaped candles using the same technology, which will become an unforgettable gift for your soulmate for Valentine's Day or a birthday.

Watch the detailed video of creating a fragrant coffee candle and you will see that everything is even simpler than it seems at first glance.

RAINBOW CANDLES

Do you want to add bright colors to your home? Interior rainbow candles will help you with this. self made.

To make them you will need the following ingredients:
. paraffin;
. stearin;
. wick;
. cylindrical shape;
. dyes corresponding to the colors of the rainbow.

You will get more detailed information from the detailed video tutorial. For beginners, it shows all the stages of preparing a candle mass and creating a gradient transition of colors.

MULTI-COLORED CANDLES IN LAYERS

Spectacular colorful candles in a transparent glass will be the highlight of your interior. How to make them, see our master class, illustrated with step-by-step photos.

materials

Before you make colored candles with your own hands, prepare:

Clear wax;
wax pencils;
disposable paper cups;
glass cups;
wicks;
ice cream sticks;
aroma oils;
microwave oven;
grater.

Step 1. Grate ordinary transparent wax and fill paper cups with the resulting material. You only need to fill them with this material by a quarter.

Step 2 Microwave the cup for 45 seconds. Get it out. Stir the wax with a wooden stick. It should melt completely, if this does not happen, send the glass to the oven for another 30 seconds.

Step 3. Dip a wick into an empty glass cup. You can attach its other end to an ice cream stick and put it on top of the cup. This will make it easier for you to keep working. Pour some wax into a glass and wait for it to set. Thus, the wick should be fixed in the center of the cup.

Step 4 Remove the paper wrapper from the wax crayons. Grate them and add desired color crayons in separate cups with wax. For a third of a glass of wax, add shavings of one pencil to get a sufficiently saturated color.

Step 5. Send a glass of colored wax to the microwave for 2.5 minutes. Take it out and while stirring, add a few drops of the chosen aromatic oil. You don't have to, but with oil, your candles will give off a pleasant aroma.

Step 6. While holding the wick, pour the first layer of colored wax into the cup. To get an interesting pattern, tilt the cup at an angle and hold it in that position until the wax sets.

Step 7. Melt cups with wax of a different color in the same way and also, but at the opposite angle, pour them one by one into a glass cup. Each time, fix the container in different positions until the wax sets.

Step 8. Having formed a multi-colored candle, let the wax cool completely.

Bright and unusual candles ready. You can use them for their intended purpose or give them to friends as souvenirs.

SOURCE: http://www.rukikryki.ru/

One more interesting idea- square multi-colored candle. Wax pencils are also used for its coloring. If you are a beginner, be sure to check out the clear video tutorial, with its help you can easily make such a cool craft for a gift to friends and family.

OPENWORK CANDLES

Decorative candles can be varied design, because talented craftsmen do not get tired to amaze with their imagination and creative experiments. In support of these words, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the method of making an unusual openwork candle.

For work you will need:
. paraffin;
. optional coloring and flavoring;
. wick and holder for it;
. cylindrical shape;
. small ice cubes.

Melt the paraffin in a water bath. If the candle is supposed to be colored, color the candle mass, if you wish, you can also scent it.

Set the wick in the mold so that it reaches the bottom of the mold. Do not forget to fix it on top of an impromptu holder. Pour in crushed ice, not reaching a couple of centimeters from the edges.

Pour the melted candle mass into the mold. Leave the workpiece until the paraffin has completely cooled. In this case, naturally, the ice will melt, and cavities will form inside the candle.

Carefully drain the water and remove the product by pulling on the wick.

Be careful, this beauty is quite fragile and requires careful handling. Such an unusual openwork candle will be a wonderful present for your family and friends. If you use paraffin from old candles for work, get this beauty for free.

You will receive visual instructions for action from detailed videos of creating openwork candles. After viewing them, you can independently make such beauty at home.

Video #1:

Video #2:

Option number 3: And if you are thinking about what to give friends for New Year then surprise them with a handmade red openwork candle. It will be an unforgettable gift and will bring into the house a sense of celebration along with the Christmas mood. See the work of the master and be inspired by your own masterpieces.

MASSAGE CANDLES

The main ingredient for creating a massage candle is soy wax. By adding useful components to it, you can get a product that has healing properties. It no longer acts as a decor, but as a home cosmetic product that makes the skin soft and well-groomed.

Healing properties of essential oils:

Helps rejuvenate skin and clear pores essential oil lemon.
. Orange oil has an anti-cellulite effect.
. Rose oil stimulates the regeneration of skin cells and promotes skin elasticity.
. Rosemary oil can clear the skin of age spots and make it smooth.
. Patchouli oil is great for moisturizing.
. Lavender oil will delight you with its healing effect.

Still in massage candles add solid vegetable oils. For example, cocoa butter is used to moisturize and tone the skin. And with its regular use, cosmetologists promise you smooth and delicate skin.

Exotic shea butter can save dry skin from peeling. Coconut oil, rich in natural antioxidants, can smooth the skin.

The general algorithm for creating a massage candle:

1. melt the wax with hard oils in a water bath;
2. let the mass cool down a little and add liquid oils;
3. cool the mass a little more and add essential oils, extracts and vitamins;
4. pour the resulting candle mass into the mold, after inserting the wick into it;
5. wait for the candle to harden completely and remove it from the mold;
6. The hardened candle is ready for use.

We offer you the most common recipes for effective massage candles.

Recipe #1

Soy wax - 85%;
. avocado and shea butter (aka shea butter) - 5% each;
. patchouli essential oil - 2.8%;
. essential oil of ylang-ylang - 2%;
. vitamin E - 0.2% (a few drops).
Light the finished candle and let it melt a little. Put it out. Put some warm wax on your hand and you can arrange a rejuvenating massage session. Do not be afraid to burn yourself - the melting point of such a candle is much lower than that of paraffin.

Recipe number 2 "Massage candle with a calming effect"

Soy wax - 80g;
. shea butter - 40g;
. almond oil - 40g;
. cocoa butter - 20g;
. essential oils of sage and lavender - 2 g each.
A massage session of such candles is best arranged before going to bed. The calming effect of essential oils will help you relax and fall asleep soundly.

Recipe number 3 "Massage candle with anti-cellulite effect"

Beeswax - 100g;
. cocoa butter - 60g;
. ground chili pepper - 5-10g;
. essential oils of orange and grapefruit - 3 g each.
Make sure you are not allergic to any of the ingredients in the suppository. After the massage, you may feel a burning or tingling sensation, which is associated with the presence of chili in the composition.

Regular massage will help get rid of the hated “orange peel”, make the skin soft and supple.

WE DECORATE CANDLES USING DECOUPAGE TECHNIQUE

If you do not have a dye, but you want to create something bright and memorable, do not be discouraged. The simplest candle made from cinder can be turned into a work of art. To do this, you need to have a little patience and decorate the product to your liking.

CANDLE DECORATED WITH DRIED FLOWERS

Dried leaves, stems and flowers will help you create an exclusive candle, which will be almost impossible to repeat. The use of natural materials is limited only by the local flora and your imagination. That's when the ability to collect a herbarium will come in handy in full.

*photo by Lyudmila Klimova

For work you will need:
. any dried flowers;
. 2 candles - for decoration and ordinary;
. tea spoon;
. tweezers;
. nail scissors;
. paraffin for final coverage.

From the dried flowers you have available, compose the composition that you want to bring to life.

Over an ordinary burning candle, heat a teaspoon ( inside over the fire, because the spoon will turn a little black, and in order not to stain the candle, then we will carry out all the manipulations with the other side of the spoon).

Attach a dry flower to the candle to be decorated and gently iron its petals with the outside of the spoon so that they melt to the paraffin and do not stick out. Thick stems may need to be ironed several times while heating the spoon.

Excess stems that extend beyond the candle, carefully cut with scissors.

Glue the rest of the elements in the same way, choosing the desired location for them. Make sure that the edges of the leaves and petals do not stick out.

It remains to fix the result. Melt the paraffin in a water bath, pour it into a container into which you can completely dip the decorated candle.

Holding the candle by the wick, immerse it in melted paraffin, set it on flat surface and let cool. If the petals were not smoothed well and protruding tips remained visible, repeat this procedure again.

Such an elegant candle will conquer any heart and will not be left without attention. Complete it with a beautiful candlestick and it will become a unique decoration of your home.

DECOUPAGE OF CANDLES WITH PAPER TILES

The desire to decorate a candle could come instantly, but there are no dried flowers at hand. In this case, you can do with paper napkins. With their help, you can easily decorate a candle for any holiday.

Choose a napkin with the pattern you want. Cut out the desired elements from the napkin. Carefully remove the two bottom layers of paper from the resulting blanks. Further, the principle of operation is similar to decorating with dried flowers.

Attach the prepared element to the candle and iron it with a hot spoon. Sand the cooled surface with the rough side of a regular kitchen sponge. It is not necessary to immerse the candle in melted paraffin with this method.

Your masterpiece is ready. Make a beautiful arrangement of candles in the New Year's style, fir branches and colored balls. It will bring good mood and holiday atmosphere to your home.

PHOTO-DESIGN IDEAS

Want even more ideas for inspiration. Browse our selection of decorative candles. You are sure to find one that you want to repeat immediately.

We were able to convince you that it is possible to create unique masterpieces even from improvised materials? That is why candle making has become a favorite pastime for many beginners and not only masters.

Original form templates:

Now you know what candles are made of and how, you can get to work. Do not try to use the photo you like as a template and an unconditional ideal. Get inspired by ready-made works to create your own unique candles. A little diligence and perseverance - and already your masterpieces will be the standard to follow.

Candle as a source lighting, has been used by man since the III millennium BC. It was expensive, and only a wealthy family could buy it. Today the candle has no former value, and in interior is used for decor or aromatherapy. And the candles made do it yourself, - also a great hobby, a great option for a gift.

What materials and how to make a candle at home Houses- read our article.

Wax candle - step by step master class

To make a candle you will need:

• wax or paraffin (household candles are suitable);
• cotton thread or floss;
• saucepan for a water bath;
• candle molds (tin, glass or plastic);
• wooden sticks for attaching the wicks (1 candle mold = 1 stick).

Advice! If for the first time you decide to make a candle with your own hands, ask someone close to help you. Wax hardens within 15 minutes, so you need to act quickly.

Place a piece of cotton string in the center of each candle mold. Fasten the top edge of the thread to a wooden stick.

Place a container with wax (paraffin) in a water bath. To speed up the melting process - it can be cut into small sticks or grated. Melt the wax over low heat, stirring constantly. The finished consistency should be uniform, without lumps and pieces of paraffin.

Pour some melted wax into the bottom of the mold. This will fix the bottom edge of the wick in the right place. Correct its position if necessary. Wait about a minute for the wax to thicken and the wick to set before moving on to the next step.

Fill the mold with the remaining melted wax.

A day later, after the candle has completely cooled and hardened, cut off the excess edge of the wick.

Note! A cooled candle does not have to be left in a jar - after manufacturing it can be removed from the mold. Before starting work, select a container for pouring with a straight, even edge that is not narrowed upwards. You can also use plastic cups, ice cube trays, or homemade tetrapak templates.

Colored and scented candles

Having understood the essence of manufacturing, you can diversify the variations and create more complex homemade candles with your own hands.

To make a colored candle, put pieces of wax crayons in a melting pot along with paraffin. The shade of the finished candle will match bloom added pencil. A combination of several multi-colored pencils will color the candle in a bright rainbow print.

Idea! Sequentially melt and pour wax into the mold in layers different colors– you will receive an original striped candle.

Use essential oils in the manufacture - and you will get a scented candle with your own hands. To add fragrance to the candle, add a few drops of oil to the melted wax before pouring the mold.

Oil combination lavender and bergamot has a relaxing effect, and lemon and rosemary - relieves negative thoughts. For peace of mind and calmness, add one part of the oils to the wax geraniums and roses and two parts lavender oil. The combination of orange and clove oils is uplifting, while lemon and cedar oils relieve stress.

Transparent gel candles at home

At home, you can create another kind of candle - gel. The technology of its manufacture is the same as that of paraffin. The difference is that the form is not filled with wax, but with a special candle gel.

Gel for making candles - transparent. This makes it possible to create incredibly beautiful products. Inside the candle, you can place shells, beads, stones, glass balls, beads, buttons, twigs colors, and even candied fruit or pieces of fruit.

Advice! You can independently choose the location of the decor inside the candle. Elements lowered to the bottom before filling with gel will remain at the bottom, and those added to an already filled form will “hang” or remain on the surface.

Form for gel candle must be transparent (glass or plastic) - otherwise the beauty created inside will not be visible. Special gel dyes will help to give a color shade. Aromatic essential oils can also be added to this type of candle.

Advice! Before pouring the melted gel, heat the prepared mold. This will prevent the formation of bubbles.

"Delicious" candles - fruit and coffee

You will surely enjoy making candles at home, and you will definitely want to create something creative and extraordinary. Candles made from the peel of fruits - oranges, limes, grapefruits - look interesting and unusual. special flavor and presentable appearance have candles created with the addition coffee beans. Create and experiment, and a couple of our ideas will help you with this.

Half lemon candle

Necessary materials:

• wax or paraffin;
• four cotton wicks;
• saucepan for a water bath;
• a container for melting wax;
• two lemons;
• food coloring purple;
• lavender essential oil;
• dried lavender flowers.

Cut the lemons in half lengthwise. Carefully remove the pulp.

Melt the wax in a water bath. Add lavender flowers, essential oil and food coloring to it, mix.

Attach a wick to the center of the lemon half. Pour the "fruit candlestick" with melted wax.

Put the finished candles in a cool place until the final cooling and hardening.

Important! Do not refrigerate candles refrigerator– Wax can harden unevenly!

Candles with coffee beans

Option 1

The easiest way to create a coffee candle is to add coffee beans to melted wax, or pour them into an already poured mold.

To do this, you will need all the same materials as for a regular candle, plus coffee beans.

Coffee beans vary in shape and size, and when added to wax, they also harden differently. Therefore, each candle you create will have unique design.

Option 2

Another manufacturing option can be to decorate the finished candle with coffee beans.

For this, in addition to coffee beans, you will need glue.

Advice! Coffee beans can be glued without glue - on still hot soft wax. To do this, carefully remove the warm and unhardened candle from the mold and “line” it with coffee beans, pressing them lightly with your fingers.

Candle decorated with coffee beans