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Candle
Art
 Candle
making gives ingenuity and imagination unlimited scope. Once you
have mastered the simple art of making moulded or dipped candles
you can move on to create different shapes, sizes, colour scents
and styles. New creative ideas can turn a simple source of light
into a work of art.
Two entrepreneurs, Anjum and Sienna, offer their
expertise in candle making.
Waxy Ways
Paraffin wax: This is the basic wax used for candle making.
It melts at a temperature between 40 and 70 degrees centigrade.
Bees wax or Soft wax: This natural product can be bought
in shades of brown. It is expensive, but worth buying for its wonderful
perfume. Generally it is used in combination with other wax to increase
the burning time of the candle.
 Stearin:
This is added to paraffin wax to release candles from their moulds
easily. It also helps to stop candles from dripping. You need to
add one part stearin for every 10 parts of wax.
Wicks: Choosing the right wick for the right candle is essential.
Wicks are actually made from braided cotton. Wicks need to be primed
before use. Before using, soak in paraffin wax and leave it to dry.
A word of Caution: Paraffin wax when boiling should not
be left unattended because it can catch fire. If this happens, immediately
douse with sand or mud, not water.
 Make
a simple candle
To make a simple candle, boil 900 gms of paraffin wax. Add colour,
wick thread, a pinch of stearin (optional). Boil wax, pour into
the greased mould and add the wick when the wax is slightly set.
Allow to set for 6-8 hours. Do not refrigerate.
Candle varieties
Candles are available in foil, ball, balloon, floating, scented,
frosted, flowers of wax, stencilled, lace effect and transparent
varieties.
Hints and Tips
* For a simple home spun feel, candles can be decorated with sponged
patterns and motifs cut out of wax. Biscuit (cookie) cutters come
in numerous different shapes, from heart, star and leaf designs
to ginger bread figures and farmyard animals, so the choice of motifs
is wide ranging.
* Another method of fixing dried flowers to a candle is to use
a heated spoon to soften the wax. Then dip the candle into the hot
wax to seal the flowers in place when the decoration is finished.
Small, light objects are easy to fix, but heavier objects need more
practise. Speed is crucial as the decoration has to stick before
the wax hardens.
Or prepare a smaller mould of the candle, fix the dried flowers
to it with the help of stickfast and then make it stand in a bigger
mould and pour the wax around it. This method seals the flowers,
providing an even finish.
Contact: Anjum or Sienna,
Phone: 633 5135 / 631 1672,
e-mail: shand25@hotmail.com
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