| As with all crafts and projects, knowing the correct | | | | to determine what type of wax you would like to |
| materials to use is a necessity. It is essential to know | | | | work with. There are five main waxes that people |
| what products and supplies work the best for certain | | | | are currently using for candles. Paraffin Wax is a |
| applications. Just think of the disaster if you used | | | | byproduct of petroleum. It has been the most |
| watercolor paints on a t-shirt instead of fabric paints. | | | | commonly used wax for candle making. Paraffin |
| We are willing to bet that the end result might not | | | | Waxes are generally more rigid, which allows for vast |
| be exactly what you were looking for. | | | | creative flexibility and various innovative uses. Soy |
| Knowing the correct items to use when making a | | | | Wax is a natural wax that is created from the |
| certain candle is as important as knowing the right | | | | soybean. It is one of the newest waxes to hit the |
| type of paint to use for a personally designed t-shirt. | | | | market. Soy Waxes are softer (therefore, they tend |
| There is a general set of products needed to create | | | | to burn slower and longer than paraffin candles), they |
| different types of candles. Once you know the right | | | | burn cleaner, and are environmentally friendly. |
| questions to ask, you will be knowledgeable in finding | | | | Beeswax is a natural wax that is created by bees. It |
| the proper materials to create your wax masterpiece. | | | | is typically yellow or white in color. Beeswax burns |
| In order to find the correct supplies for your project, | | | | cleaner, have little or no wax dripping down the sides, |
| it is important to determine which wax best suits | | | | and some people believe it can clean the air of dust |
| your purpose. The first thing to consider is: what | | | | particles. Palm Wax is a natural wax that is made |
| type of candle are you making? You will need a wax | | | | from the fruit of the oil palm. It gives a candle a |
| that is specially formulated for the specifications of | | | | unique, crystallized finish. Palm Waxes resist melting in |
| your candle. There are three general types of | | | | hot temperatures, color easily, and hold fragrances |
| candles: Container, Pillar, and Votive. First, a container | | | | very well. Gel Wax is a type of mineral oil that is a |
| candle is a candle that will be poured into some form | | | | byproduct of petroleum. It is a "crystal clear" wax |
| of container (ie. glass jar or metal tin). A container | | | | that somewhat jiggles to the touch. Gel Waxes burn |
| wax is formulated to adhere to the sides of the | | | | five times longer than paraffin and have the ability to |
| container and it is softer so that it creates a nice | | | | suspend decorative particles in a candle. |
| finish against the sides of the vessel. Second, a pillar | | | | None of the above waxes are better than the |
| candle is a candle that will be strong and freestanding. | | | | others. Each type of wax has its own exclusive |
| A pillar wax is formulated to shrink away from the | | | | characteristics that make it a unique product to use. |
| sides of a container so that the candle can easily be | | | | When determining the type of wax that will be best |
| taken out of the mold. Pillar waxes are harder since | | | | for you, it all comes down to your personal |
| they do not go into containers and need to stand | | | | preference and the style of candle you envision |
| freely on their own while burning. Finally, a votive | | | | making. For example, if you want to make a cut and |
| candle is a candle that will be a short pillar that is | | | | curl candle (a style of candle that requires carving the |
| approximately 1 1/2 inches in diameter and 2-3 inches | | | | wax and curling it), gel wax will not work (its jelly-like |
| tall. A votive wax has characteristics of both | | | | nature would not allow it to be carved, let alone |
| container and pillar waxes. It is hard so that the | | | | curled). |
| finished candle can stand on its own and it is | | | | Finding the right wax for candle making is a fun and |
| formulated to shrink away from the sides of the | | | | easy process. Simply determine the type of candle, |
| mold. Votive candles are also like mini container | | | | the type of wax, and the style of candle you would |
| candles; they are to be burned in a votive container, | | | | like to make. If you follow the guide above and mix |
| therefore the wax is soft. | | | | it with your candle vision, you will find the perfect |
| Once the type of candle has been decided, you need | | | | wax for your purpose. |