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CANDLEMAKING
There are times when purchasing candles may be less expensive, but, as with making anything yourself, there is not only a sense of satisfaction, but a product with the specifications you create!
Mix scents to your liking, add more depth of color and there are so many possibilities for styles!
Buying wax in bulk can be quite a bargain, but if this is your first try, we suggest a purchasing a small quantity. Craft stores now carry wax that has been colored and even scented.
If you prefer to really do it from scratch by plain candle wax, or our favorite, good old beautifully clear household wax from the grocery store!
- Tie one end of wick around a wooden skewer before you melt your wax.
- Melt wax in a coffee can, which has been placed inside a pot of hot water. Be careful not get anxious and turn the heat up too high, overheating can be dangerous. Stirring wax must be done gently to avoid splashing. Use a wooden stick or spoon that you’ll need only for your wax projects.
- Scents and coloring may be added once the wax is entirely melted. Stir until well mixed. We like using a ladle with a cool handle to transfer wax into individual molds. Spray ladle and molds with non-stick cooking spray. This gives you more contol, helping you avoid overflow.
- Lay wooden skewer across top of your mold so that the wick is down in the wax in the position you want it.
- Recommended cooling and setting time varies by density of your candle, but plan on letting them sit for 24 hours before removing them.
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HANDMADE GIFTS
Do you like to give handmade gifts, but only want to start from “SEMI-SCRATCH”? Here’s a wonderful idea and you can get as creative as you like:
- Purchase inexpensive white or light-colored votives or pillar candles. (you may even have some around the house that your not thrilled with)
- On parchment or waxed paper, sprinkle out your favorite herbs and/or seasonings. Grab candle by the wick and dip into the melted wax. Be careful not to go down to the point that you burn your fingers! Lift and let wax drip off for a couple of seconds. Roll candles in the seasonings. You may need to spoon some on to cover completely. Press into candle with your hands.
- Now, this is the part that makes them really country looking, dip into wax again. You can use a separate coffee can of wax for dipping already “seasoned” candles. If you are making one kind, using the same can of wax will get some residue in it, but it won’t matter. The results will be the same.
- Try rolling in lavender, dried orange or lemon peel, or OUR FAVORITE… ground cinnamon and allspice. This one looks absolutely lovely when sitting in a country kitchen or living room and are available in two sizes all ready for purchase at TheYankeeFarmhouse.us Farmhouse Kitchen.
- Save money and have your candle-making supplies do double-duty. Scents, colorings and molds are also used in soap making.
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