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