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Have Some Fun And Make Your Own Candles For Unique Christmas Presents

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Published: 06Nov2009
Word count: 636
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Christmas is near and it is a time of giving and celebration. The idea of giving is to share your interests and to try and make the other person feel loved. To do this, one way is to give them something that you have made yourself. So to help you do this, here are a few tips that could lead to you making your own candle gifts to give to family members and friends.

The art of candle making is one that is centuries old but here we will cover a method called "chunk candles".

Although I have listed the process below, care needs to be taken that you heat the wax to the right temperature so that you do not have any candle fires. To do this you need to have a thermometer and also know the flash point of the wax you are using so find this out from your supplier. Also you need to understand about adding color to your wax.

Depending how many you plan on making, it will depend on the quantity of supplies you need. If you haven't done much with candle making before it might pay just to do a few and see how it goes for you.

Another point to give consideration to is your color choice. Try to choose colors that are complimentary, for example for Christmas you may choose red and green chunks set in white wax, or for decorator candles you may choose brown and orange set in a cream wax. It pays to keep the main color either white or a very light shade if you are choosing a color.

If you would like to have scented candles, you will need to choose a fragrance to add to your wax and in this style of candle it really only needs to be added to the main color. Do check how this should be added so that you don't have any problems.

The requirements for making chunk candles:

- some wax that has been colored, set in a metal tray then cut into squares

- some lighter colored wax as the base color for your candle

- wick/s

- candle fragrance if you are going to perfume the candles

- molds (could be a milk carton) or a pillar candle mold

For the process of making chunk candles you will need to:

- melt your colored wax and spread it to the thickness that you want onto a cake tin that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray - as the wax is starting to set cut into cubes about 1" (2cm) - you may be using 1, 2 or 3 separate colors at this stage

- bring your wick through the bottom of your mold and hold with glue or blue tac then place the chunks at angles into the mold leaving gaps in between and also making sure that your wick is straight - you could put a kebab stick next to the wick at this stage and it will help keep the wick straight and you can remove it before the final setting of the main colored wax

- melt your main color and slowly poor over the chunks in the mold

When you have set your candles they should slip out of the mold easily and you will have a lovely candle that is melded together as the hot was has set. The cubes of wax look stunning in this type of candle and would be appreciated by anyone who likes to have candles in their home.

To finish off, tie some raffia around the candle or if you are making a Christmas candle they look great if you spread a little glitter glue on the candle. Experiment and have fun making your own candles because this is not too difficult a type of candle to make and they will be greatly appreciated.

Secrets to candle making can be downloaded at Candle Making - Start With Confidence. For more information on candle making, especially votive candles you will find this information on candle making invaluable. Candle making is so much fun and such cheap but beautiful gifts can be made when you make candles.

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