Making Gel Candles for Fun & Profit

There are a few items you will need to gathermolds.Submerged Objects: In order to submerge
before you can start making your gel candles.objects in your gel candles they must be resistant
The most basic are supply containers, gels, pans,to burning and melting. Items that work well are
wicks, and of course, your kitchen range. Below isbuttons, marbles, toys and jewels. Do not use
a detailed list of the items you will need, and mosthighly flammable items. Some objects will float so
of these items are available at your local craftyou may have to add the items as the gel cools
and variety stores.Containers: It's best to use aand thickens. This is where the craft sticks or
heat resistant glass, but there are also manyknife comes in handy. You can push items down
types of glass and acrylics.Materials: Gel Wax,that float to the top.Heating Wax: Paraffin should
Paraffin when specified in a recipe, candle scent,be heated to 130 degrees F to 140 degrees F.
candle dye, wick, wick clip, and wick base.Supplies:The melting point of gel wax is between 160
Craft sticks, knife, spoon, candy thermometer,degrees and 170 degrees F. If you are melting
pliers, small sauce pan, double boiler for paraffinParaffin you should always use a double boiler. Gel
when used, cooking oil spray, non-stick cookiewax can be heated directly on the burner set at
sheet, ice cream scoop, ice pick, Potato peeler fora medium to low heat. Tip: Tear gel into small
the dye, stove burner, small deep metal pans, andpieces to control the amount of bubbles.CAUTION:
molds.Wicks & Clips: Use large bleached wicks. GelAlways be careful when melting wax. It is highly
candles burn longer than paraffin candles so aflammable. Make sure your area is well ventilated.
large wick is required for the additional burn time.Never leave unattended or around young children
Do not use wire wicks these will leave debris inwithout supervision.Clean Up: Use dish soap and
the gel. Use a metal base clip and crimp it to onehot water to clean utensils, counter tops and
end of the wick with pliers or use a smalltools. Run paraffin under hot water then under
washer.Dyes & Scents: Candles dyes are great tosoapy water. You can scrape wax off counter
use because their color is translucent. Crayons cantops, or use small amounts of turpentine to aid in
also be used if the proper dyes are not availableremoval (be sure to test first).For free Candle
at your local stores. Candle dyes come inmaking recipes & tutorials visit you learn to
different forms, from wax squares, to liquids andcreate your candles create a business plan and
powders. You can mix colors to form additionaldecide on what market to target for your
colors.product. You could do theme candles such as
Scents are fun to add to make the candleweddings, birthdays, etc. Possbily decide on
fragrant. Scents come in the form of oil basedmaking recipe candles, or whatever great ideas
liquids, pellets and wax solids. You add scentyou may have.Then discover where to sell your
before pouring the candle this avoidscandles such as craft shows, sell them on ebay,
evaporation.Additives & Release Agents: If usingcreate your own web site, take them to work,
paraffin, add stearic acid to increase the hardnessset up trade shows, contact local gift shops and
and raise the melting point. Use spray cooking oiltalk with others about selling or starting a new
or silicone spray to aid in the release of thebusiness.