| There are a few items you will need to gather | | | | molds.Submerged Objects: In order to |
| before you can start making your gel candles. | | | | submerge objects in your gel candles they |
| The most basic are supply containers, gels, | | | | must be resistant to burning and melting. |
| pans, wicks, and of course, your kitchen | | | | Items that work well are buttons, marbles, |
| range. Below is a detailed list of the items | | | | toys and jewels. Do not use highly flammable |
| you will need, and most of these items are | | | | items. Some objects will float so you may |
| available at your local craft and variety | | | | have to add the items as the gel cools and |
| stores.Containers: It's best to use a heat | | | | thickens. This is where the craft sticks or |
| resistant glass, but there are also many | | | | knife comes in handy. You can push items down |
| types of glass and acrylics.Materials: Gel | | | | that float to the top.Heating Wax: Paraffin |
| Wax, Paraffin when specified in a recipe, | | | | should be heated to 130 degrees F to 140 |
| candle scent, candle dye, wick, wick clip, | | | | degrees F. The melting point of gel wax is |
| and wick base.Supplies: Craft sticks, knife, | | | | between 160 degrees and 170 degrees F. If you |
| spoon, candy thermometer, pliers, small sauce | | | | are melting Paraffin you should always use a |
| pan, double boiler for paraffin when used, | | | | double boiler. Gel wax can be heated directly |
| cooking oil spray, non-stick cookie sheet, | | | | on the burner set at a medium to low heat. |
| ice cream scoop, ice pick, Potato peeler for | | | | Tip: Tear gel into small pieces to control |
| the dye, stove burner, small deep metal pans, | | | | the amount of bubbles.CAUTION: Always be |
| and molds.Wicks & Clips: Use large bleached | | | | careful when melting wax. It is highly |
| wicks. Gel candles burn longer than paraffin | | | | flammable. Make sure your area is well |
| candles so a large wick is required for the | | | | ventilated. Never leave unattended or around |
| additional burn time. Do not use wire wicks | | | | young children without supervision.Clean Up: |
| these will leave debris in the gel. Use a | | | | Use dish soap and hot water to clean |
| metal base clip and crimp it to one end of | | | | utensils, counter tops and tools. Run |
| the wick with pliers or use a small | | | | paraffin under hot water then under soapy |
| washer.Dyes & Scents: Candles dyes are great | | | | water. You can scrape wax off counter tops, |
| to use because their color is translucent. | | | | or use small amounts of turpentine to aid in |
| Crayons can also be used if the proper dyes | | | | removal (be sure to test first).For free |
| are not available at your local stores. | | | | Candle making recipes & tutorials visit you |
| Candle dyes come in different forms, from wax | | | | learn to create your candles create a |
| squares, to liquids and powders. You can mix | | | | business plan and decide on what market to |
| colors to form additional colors. | | | | target for your product. You could do theme |
| | | | candles such as weddings, birthdays, etc. |
| Scents are fun to add to make the candle | | | | Possbily decide on making recipe candles, or |
| fragrant. Scents come in the form of oil | | | | whatever great ideas you may have.Then |
| based liquids, pellets and wax solids. You | | | | discover where to sell your candles such as |
| add scent before pouring the candle this | | | | craft shows, sell them on ebay, create your |
| avoids evaporation.Additives & Release | | | | own web site, take them to work, set up trade |
| Agents: If using paraffin, add stearic acid | | | | shows, contact local gift shops and talk with |
| to increase the hardness and raise the | | | | others about selling or starting a new |
| melting point. Use spray cooking oil or | | | | business. |
| silicone spray to aid in the release of the | | | | |