From: howardk@aa.wl.com Subject: Re: candles again Date: 1 Feb 94 13:40:51 -0500 kditto@nyx10.cs.du.edu (Kimborly Ditto) writes: > I will start by stating that i am clueless as to how to go about > making candles, bu have wanted to try it for a while. However, > wouldn't a pop can make a pretty good mold, by cutting off the top, > pouring in the wax, and then cutting/peeling off the rest of the > can?? pop cans seem like a nice in-between size for a candle. I have used all kinds of things as molds. Fill a container with wet sand, and make an indentation with a lightbulb. Add three little blobs for legs, drop in a wick suspended on a stick, and fill with wax. The result has a neat finish of sand stuck to it. You could probably use colored sands for different effects. Or, use a tin can, suspend the wick (with some left on the bottom), and pour in an inch of wax. Let it mostly cool, and pour in another color. Keep going until the can is mostly full. Unmold, flip, and voila! The warmer each layer of wax is when pouring the next in will determine how much, if any, mixing of colors there is. Or, make several squares of different colors, and when they are all cool, set them one on top of the other, but offset diagonally. Using a hot thin poker or shishkabob stick, lance a hole through all of them. Insert the wick, and fill the hole with wax. A couple of pointers. As large candles cool, they have a tendency to form wells, i.e., a hole in the center where the wax has contracted. Just fill it with more of the same colored wax. For this sort of candle, your best bet is to set it up so that the top of the candle is the bottom of the mold - that way you don't see the well-fillings. Also, there is a great temptation to stick candles in the fridge or freezer to make them cool faster. In my experience, that tends to make the outside of the candle 'frost', and you don't get a clean finish. Unless this is what you want ;-) Have fun! Walking a creative path, Jaguar =^^= ***************************************************************** Opinions? All mine. And plenty more where those came from. I'm this Jaguar. So much chocolate, so little time.... ***************************************************************** Xref: lysator.liu.se alt.pagan:32807 Newsgroups: alt.pagan Path: lysator.liu.se!news.kth.se!eru.mt.luth.se!bloom-beacon.mit.edu!spool.mu.edu!sdd.hp.com!decwrl!decwrl!pacbell.com!att-out!oucsace!jacobson From: jacobson@oucsace.cs.ohiou.edu (Eliot Jacobson) Subject: Candle making and Candelaria Message-ID: Organization: Ohio University Department of Mathematics Date: Thu, 3 Feb 1994 01:04:21 GMT Lines: 80 Hi Ho! I am excited to read that so many folks out there are interested in candle making. I am the owner, and chandler, of a small mail order business specializing in ceremonial candles. I write to you today in honor of Our Lady of Candelaria. When I was searching for a name for this business I had numerous dreams concerning Candelaria. I went with this and bestowed Candelaria Crafts on my newly birthed enterprise. I didn't have a clue as to the meaning behind it however. In time I found out that there is a small town in El Salvador called Candelaria. The Holy Mother appeared there once and was there after known as Our Lady of Candelaria. Since a candel is the same as an english candle, and a candelo is one who makes candels, Candelaria is closely associated with this craft. During her yearly festival, which lasts one week, many candles are lit in her honor. The Sage Woman calendar lists Imbolc, the Feast of Brigid, and Our Lady of Candelaria for the February second holiday. The method I employ was passed onto me through an apprenticeship. (Beleive it or not, my mentor's birthday is on Candlemas.) The process is unique, I know of only one other person in the United States practicing it. It is my responsibility to keep this Sacred Craft alive. I have a large iron wheel suspended from the ceiling of my shop, an old granary (c.1860) with large chestnut beams held together with mortise and tenon joints. This wheel is dressed with colored ribbons, feathers, and chimes. The wheel is prepared by hanging wicks, with weights attached, through the slots cut in the wheel. I place my wax in a large vat below the wicks and over a propane stove on the floor. I then burn incense, usually Sacred Sage, and complete a journey around the Sacred Wheel in ritual. I use a large ladle to pour the fluid wax down the length of each wick, while also spinning the wick with my other hand. These candles are created one thin layer at a time while the Wheel revolves in time with the rhythms. The practice is more of a meditation than a mode of production. I create colored paraffin, 100% beeswax, and pure bayberry tapers. If you know of anyone else perpetuating this craft, or if you would like more information regarding Candelaria Crafts, let me know. Good luck in all your endeavors with candle making. Paraffin is refined from crude oil and there are many grades available. I have spent much time experimenting with the various types in order to create the finest, most efficient candles possible. But, unless you are a fanatic like me, whatever wax you are able to acquire will suffice for starters. The problem with many waxes is that the melting temperatures are very low and you may end up with candles that burn to quickly and drip profusely. There are also many varieties of wick on the market. Generally you match the wick size to the diameter of the candles and the wax type. Natural waxes, such as beeswax or bayberry, require larger wicks. String is fine if you're just making decorative candles, but if you plan on burning your creations you would be wise to find some wicking. There are many candle scents available, but essential oils will also work. Since essential oils are quite expensive, and you need to use a lot, you may want to start with candle scent, or make unscented candles. You could annoint the candles with oil at the time of burning. Candle dyes are also standard. You can use old candles for color, but avoid using crayons. They are colored with pigments which tend to clog wicks. This can result in candles which either drown themselves out or drip. There are three basic ways to make candles: dipping, molding and pouring. If you want to try dipping your own candles you will want the wick suspended from a stick with a weight at the bottom. This weight could be a metal nut for example. You want the wax to be relatively cool. If it's too hot your taper will just melt away. First, leave the wick suspended in the hot wax for about a minute. Remove and let cool. Repeat the dip, slowly and evenly, a few times. Then let cool again. Be sure you let it cool downn after every few dips. Some folks have numerous dipping racks so one rack can be cooling while another is being dipped. Molded candles are fairly easy to make, but there is actually quite and art behind a finely molded candle. The basic idea is to suspend a wick, with a weight attached, in a mold. There are many molds on the market, but milk cartons, jars, etc. can be used, just make sure they will hold up with the heat. Pour the wax, approx. 190F, into the mold and let cool. After a skim forms on the top poke a hole down the center with a long wire. After it cools down more you will want to refill the well that forms. Let the mold cool completely, some folks use a cold water bath. Cut any wick attachments, invert and gently tap to remove the hardened candle. There are many tricks to the trade, but this should get you started. Remember to Be Careful! Wax ignites when the temperature reaches its flashpoint. Don't start a fire or burn yourself. Be very cautious if kids are around. Don't pour wax down your sink or toilet unless you desire a seriously clogged drain! If you have any Questions feel free to contact me. You may want to contact Pourette Mfg. Co. in Seattle, WA at 1-800-888-WICK for a free catalog. May the Balance Be Restored! Kind Regards, Kathy