| Gel candle making has enjoyed a surge in popularity in | | | | keep an eye on the gel as it is melting as it can reach |
| the past few years. It is easier than traditional candle | | | | its flash point very quickly and be on fire before you |
| making, requiring few ingredients and some simple | | | | know it. Using a thermometer is the best way to |
| instructions. The hardest decisions are ones based on | | | | insure that you don't exceed the recommended |
| personal taste: what kind of container do you want | | | | temperature. Also, do not under any circumstances |
| to use, do you want to add color to your gel and | | | | whatsoever melt the gel in the microwave, it is very |
| what scent do you want to use. | | | | dangerous. |
| Gel wax has greatly changed the world of candle | | | | If you are going to color your gel you can do this |
| making. With its transparency the possibilities are | | | | after the gel has melted. Test the color by pouring a |
| limited only by your imagination and the speed with | | | | small spoon of it on a sheet of white paper, if the |
| which it sets makes producing large numbers of | | | | color is darker than you want it, add more gel, if it is |
| candles less time consuming than with traditional | | | | lighter than you want it, add more dye. |
| candles. | | | | This is also the time to add fragrant oil if you want |
| Making gel candles uniquely individual is one of the | | | | to make scented candles. Again, add more if you |
| most appealing aspects of the process. The only | | | | aren't satisfied with the odor and if it has too much |
| thing that has to be taken into consideration is that | | | | smell add more gel to the mix. |
| containers must be used, unless of course the time is | | | | You are now ready to position your wick. The |
| taken to make unique molds as well. | | | | method you use will depend on how precise you |
| Gel candles can be made using seashells from | | | | want your candles to be. If you are giving them for |
| vacations, coins from travels around the world, even | | | | gifts and don't want bubbles, you will want to use |
| beer cap collections can be used to make | | | | the pencil method. If you are making them for |
| personalized candles. They can be tinted using dyes | | | | yourself and don't mind some bubbles use the easier, |
| and scented using fragrant oils. | | | | hot glue method. |
| Materials | | | | The hot glue method entails using hot glue to secure |
| Before you begin making the candles you need to | | | | the wick to the bottom center of the container. As |
| assemble your materials. The most expensive part of | | | | the wax is poured in, it will react with the glue and |
| the process is the gel wax itself. You will need: | | | | cause some bubbles. |
| - Gel wax | | | | The pencil method requires filling the container with |
| - Glass containers - use your imagination, shot | | | | wax, dipping the wick in the wax, removing the |
| glasses, martini glasses, fish bowls; | | | | excess wax from the wick and rolling it around a |
| - Fragrant oils - if you want to add scent; | | | | pencil. Position the pencil over the container with the |
| - Dye - if you want your candles colored; | | | | wick in the center and dropping it down into the gel. |
| - Wick - the length of which is determined by the | | | | When the gel cools cut the wick no longer than 1/4 |
| height of your container; use wax coated wicks for | | | | inch. |
| gel candles, not paper wicks. | | | | If you are adding embellishments to your gel candle |
| - Décor for putting in the candle if desired. | | | | you should dip them in wax and arrange them in the |
| You should also have a pot or kettle to melt and | | | | container before you pour the wax in the container. |
| pour the gel from. Camping equipment is an excellent | | | | You should also arrange them closer to the outer |
| place to find a sturdy kettle to use. It will stand up | | | | edge to make them visible. |
| to the repeated heating. | | | | Enjoy |
| Making Your Candles | | | | Once your candles set you are now ready to enjoy |
| First you need to make sure that your containers are | | | | your candles. Gel candle making is not a difficult |
| very clean and dry. Any residue or foreign materials | | | | process and can make beautiful gifts to share with |
| that remain inside the container can cause your gel | | | | your friends and family, during holidays or just |
| wax not to set properly. | | | | because you want to share your newfound talent. |
| You will need to melt you gel; however, you must | | | | |