Planets in Retrograde -- The Basics
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	Pisces Astrology Self Improvement for Pisces Candle Making Basics by Kim Draper The Healing Alternative
Astrology, Tarot, and Self Improvement for the New Age.

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Candle Making Basics
by Kim Draper

The Key to Your Character

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In the light of heightened appreciation of candles, it seems as good a time as any to help people come full circle...back to the time when folks made their own candles in their kitchens. My intentions for writing these articles is to provide in a clear and inviting manner, all the information needed for you to make a variety of inviting, aroma filled candles.

First, I would like to start with the safety precautions in candle making. This might not seem necessary, for most are common sense, but please humor me anyway.

1. Never leave melting wax unattended, even in a double-boiler.

2. Never overheat the wax. Know the flash point of your wax.

3. Wax will spontaneously combust when it reaches the flash point.

4. Always use a thermometer. It is both for safety and good results that you always be aware of the temperature.

5. Always use a double-boiler. If you don't have one, use a old pot for the water and a coffee can to melt the wax.

6. Don't pour wax down the drain unless you want frequent visits from your plumber.

Now that these few but very important facts have been mentioned, on with the show. First we need to get all our tools and supplies together before we can make a candle.

Tools: Double boiler, thermometer, molds, scissors, wooden spoon.

Supplies:

• Wax - There are many waxes available for candle making. I recommend that beginners start with a general purpose paraffin wax for molded candles and the new "One Pour Wax" for container candles.

• Wicks - There are more than thirty-five different wicks on the market, but I'm going simplify that a bit. Wicking can be broken down into three categories - Flat, Square, and Wire Core. Flat and square are used for molded and dipped candles, wire core for floating, votives, and container candles. The starting point for the wick selection is to match the wick to the mold diameter. For a small mold use a small wick, etc...

• Dye - For the best results always use a dye specifically made for coloring candles. Wax colors will be lighter than they appear in the melting pot. To get the best idea of the finished product pour a half inch of wax in a paper cup and place in the freezer, when cool, this will give you the exact finished product.

• Scent - Ahhh, my favorite part. There is no limit to the imagination when scenting a candle, just a few tips so you will have an idea on what type to buy. Scent is marketed in two forms, liquid scent oil, and scent blocks. Although the liquid scent is a higher cost, I feel it works much better than scent blocks.

One of the most popular molded candles is the "Votive". How many of you are always picking up three or four of these little beauties to add some wonderful aromas to your home? Well now you can just make them yourself.

As stated earlier, to get started you will need: Double boiler or pan with water and coffee can, candy thermometer, votive molds (may purchase these at any craft store that sells candle supplies), wooden spoon, wire core wick with wick tabs (may be purchased at any craft store with candles supplies), candle dye, candle wax.

Ok, I don't go to all the bother of using paraffin wax and then all of those additives. I jump straight to the pre-mixed wax that they have on the markets today, any of the links that I have provided that carry candle making supplies carries this wax, there are several different brands so I will let you make your own choice, I have used them all and they all work very well.

I take l lb. of the pre-mixed wax, melt to 190 degrees, then I add my color, and then my scent. The wax will look darker in color while still liquid so take this into consideration when planning your perfect shade of blue or red, etc.

I usually add 1 oz of scent to 1 lb of wax, this is a fairly strong candle, I enjoy a good strong fragrance in my candles.

After you have stirred in the ingredients, you may pour the wax into the votive molds, but the easiest way to do this is to take a ladle or bent spoon to form a ladle and spoon the wax into the molds, less spillage this way.

Do not fill the votive molds all the way to the top, leave some room to add more wax in case your candle forms a sink hole. This is caused by the wax shrinking, most molded candles do this so don't feel bad, the only kind that doesn't is the new container candles wax called the "one pour", but this wax is far to sticky to use for molded candles.

Now that the wax has been poured take your tabbed wick and insert it tab fist into the votive mold, make sure the wick is up right so when the candle hardens it will be straight. Voila! You have created your first votive candle. The candles should be cool enough in a few hours to remove from the mold, let set for 24 hours before burning, this ensures that the candle has completely hardened.

Kim Draper writes many health and all natural related articles. You can find more of her work on her websites at:

The Healing Alternative
Bathcrafts and Candles
Candle Crafters

Are you looking for more information on Faith, Therapy, Healing, Self-Understanding, Psychological Issues, Self-Sabotage, Cosmic Consciousness, Artistic Inspiration, and Karma?

Pisces is the astrology sign that deals specifically with Faith, Therapy, Healing, Self-Understanding, Psychological Issues, Self-Sabotage, Cosmic Consciousness, Artistic Inspiration, and Karma. Learn more about Pisces.
The information here tells all about Pisces Astrology.

Pisces Horoscope

A simple enough pleasure, surely, to have breakfast alone with one's husband, but how seldom married people in the midst of life achieve it.
~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh ~
Born June 22, 1906

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Last updated January 31st, 2004

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