| The candle making bug might have bit you and you | | | | If you want to make pillar candles then you need a |
| are out trying new ways to make candles. Perhaps | | | | wax which is harder. A pillar candle stands self |
| you are ready to try making soy candles. If so, what | | | | supporting, without a container. You want it to |
| types of soy candle making supplies will you need? | | | | remain upright and hard throughout the entire time it |
| Well, as you would expect, most of the supplies you | | | | is being burned. Some soy waxes will make a harder |
| use for soy candles are the same as other candle | | | | candle and also give the outside of the candle a nice |
| waxes. The only thing that is different is the wax, | | | | smooth glossy finish. |
| and below we will explain what makes soy waxes | | | | Then there is fragrance throw. In overly simplistic |
| different. | | | | terms fragrance throw is how easily or how much |
| Before we talk about the soy wax candle supplies, | | | | the fragrance is emitted from the candle such that it |
| let's note why so many people are into making soy | | | | can be easily picked up and enjoyed by the human |
| candles. First, soy wax candles are all natural. They | | | | nose. Certain soy waxes "throw" their fragrance |
| come from soy beans which can be grown over and | | | | better than others and some waxes are specially |
| over again. This is not like paraffin wax which is | | | | made for this. |
| by-product of oil. | | | | Next is frosting. Frosting is a white crystal like |
| Second soy wax candles burn cleaner (less soot) and | | | | substance that sometimes grows on a soy candle. |
| burn longer than your paraffin wax candles. Some | | | | Certain soy waxes are made to decrease the |
| say they burn about 50% longer. | | | | amount of frosting that develops on the candle. |
| Lastly, soy wax is very advantageous to work with | | | | Some people would rather have a candle with less |
| because it is very easy to clean up. You can easily | | | | "fragrance throw" and less "frosting" |
| clean up spills or your equipment using plain warm | | | | Lastly there is the soy wax purity to consider. Many |
| water and soap. Now try cleaning up your paraffin | | | | companies sell all natural soy wax while some |
| wax that way! | | | | companies add a some paraffin to the soy wax. |
| Okay, so what soy wax do you use? | | | | Some waxes may be labeled "all natural" rather than |
| Well if you are not familiar with soy waxes, you'd | | | | "100% natural" - what is the difference? The |
| probably think they were all the same and there was | | | | manufacturer may have added a small amount of |
| only one type of wax. Chances are pretty good that | | | | natural oils to the wax to help maintain its quality. |
| if you go into your local craft store to buy soy wax | | | | Other supplies that you will need: |
| they will only have one type of wax and you won't | | | | You may want to color your candles. To do this you |
| know what kind that of soy that is. | | | | need a dye. They come in chips, chunks and |
| Here is an important point, if you are just beginning, it | | | | sometimes flakes. A chip usually colors one pound of |
| doesn't matter what type of soy wax you use. Any | | | | wax. A chunk will color 20 pounds of wax. Make sure |
| of the commercial brands will be fine - even that | | | | you get dyes which are for candles. |
| which you get at your local craft store. | | | | You may want to add a fragrance to the candle. To |
| The type of soy wax only becomes an issue after | | | | do so, there are special fragrances made for candle |
| you gain some experience in candle making and want | | | | waxes. Just about any kind of fragrance is available, |
| to start developing your own line of candles or want | | | | just start searching. You might want to link your |
| to improve your candles. | | | | fragrance and color together, say a pine tree |
| Now many places don't offer you these different | | | | fragrance would come from a candle which was |
| varieties of soy wax. You have to look around | | | | green. |
| because they are out there. Now how do you | | | | That basically does it for your soy candle making |
| determine which wax you want or need. Well it all | | | | supplies. Start with the basics, which are the |
| depends on the type of candle you want to make | | | | essentials. Gather some experience with the simple |
| and any enhancements you want to make in your | | | | things and then move on to the more advanced |
| candle. Knowing this, here is a short description of | | | | stuff. You can be guaranteed you'll love doing it and |
| some of the different kinds of soy wax for candles. | | | | enjoy the finished product. |