Hand
Dipped
Sand
Candles
Homemade
Candles
Instructions for Hand Dipped Candles
You need to obtain the following supplies:
2-4 pounds of Paraffin Wax (the kind used
in canning) or beeswax (which is usually expensive)
Candle wick (available at most hobby and
craft stores
oils
herbs
candle dye (also expensive) or crayons (for
color)
wax paper
a wooden spoon
a double broiler.
Begin by melting the wax in a double broiler.
If you don't have one, you can use a large pot filled half
full of water and a large coffee tin with
the wax in it, sitting inside the pot.
Heat the water to boiling first and cut up your wax so it will melt quickly. Once the water is boiling, turn the heat down and place the tin of wax inside of it. Keep the water hot enough to keep the wax melted but not so hot that the paraffin catches fire (which it has been known to do over high heat).
While the wax to melting, stir with a wooden
spoon (never use metal) & make sure it all is completely
melted. Also, while the wax is melting,
mix the herbs (if more than one) in a small bowl. After the wax is
completely melted and been checked, break
the crayons up and put them into the wax.
Keep stirring until all of the crayons have melted and the color is even and smooth, with no streaks. Keep in mind that the candle will be a shade or so lighter when dry. The more crayons - the deeper and richer the color, so experiment.
Next, add the herbs to the wax. Stir with
the wooden spoon until it is thoroughly mixed. Next, add 10-20
drops of essential oil to the wax until
it smells strongly of the fragrance intended. Now your wax is ready.
Start with a long piece of wick - twice the
size of your desired candle length plus 3 inches (you will be
making 2 candles at once). Bend the wick
in the middle and hold it by the bend.
Dip the wick into the wax and then lift back
out. Getting started is the hardest because the wick
will float on top of the wax until it has
enough wax on it to weigh it down. Allow it to get completely
cold between dippings when you first start.
After your candle has started to take shape,
you can speed up the process a little. I keep a pan of cool
water nearby and dip the candles in the
water after each dipping in the wax. While this speeds up the process a
little, candle making is a slow process but very well worth the time you
put into it.
Keep dipping the candles and allowing them
to cool & then dip again. When you have achieved the proper
size, hang them to dry until the wax has
set but the candles aren't too hard. Then roll them on the wax paper to
smooth out the shape. Once the candle shape is too your liking, dip 1 or
2 more times to make sure your candle is smooth.
Trim off any excess wax to make a bottom with a sharp knife. Cut the wick and hang your candles to dry.
Sand Candles
Quick and easy "Hippie Candles" as they
were called in the 60's.
You need:
Sand - either from the beach or sandbox.
Size, of course will depend on how large your candle is and how many you
want to make.
Moisten the sand enough to where you can
make holes in it without the sand falling back down into
the hole. Then dig your hole in the sand
the shape you want it. The easiest to start with are tapers but pyramids
and cooking pots aren't much harder. If you want legs on your candle -
take a pencil (unsharpened) and poke hole for the legs in the sand.
When the shape is finished - hold a piece of wick over the approximate center and gently pour the wax into the hole, making sure the legs (if any) are filled.
Allow the wax to set, which can take a while.
After testing wax to make sure it is ready, slip fingers
into the sand under the candle and gently
lift it out. Brush off any excess sand. If the legs are uneven,
you can even them by sitting the candle
in a hot frying pan.
You are done!
You will need:
Commercial wicks (string can be used)
Beeswax
Paraffin
Old candles -- melted down
Old crayons for color
Scents and wax colors can be purchased
Molds - or containers
Beeswax can be cut with a knife if the knife is warmed first. Wrap desired amount around wicks to form long tapers or cone shaped candles.
To melt the paraffin you'll need a double
boiler and be real careful about how hot you get it as it is
volatile. Old candles can be melted down
in the same manner and crayon pieces added for desired color.
Yogurt or butter tubs will make good molds
for your candles or pour melted wax over crushed ice in a
square milk carton and add glitter - wow!
Or you can dip the wicks repeatedly into melted wax in double
boiler and let harden between dippings for
tapers.
~ from Maat's Book of Shadows