Frequently Asked Questions
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GENERAL GUIDELINES TO CANDLE MAKING ( Paraffin Wax )
REQUIREMENTS
- Newspaper – To Protect the Work Surface
- Candle Wax – Paraffin (Powder or Block Form)
- Mould ( That can withstand High Temperatures )
- Wick ( Unwaxed or Pre-Waxed)
- Large Pot – ½ Filled with Water
- Coffee Tin ( Clean, Dry and Dust Free )
- Candle Dye (Optional)
- Long Skewer
- Fragrance (Optional) Depend on concentration – Depends on how many drops to add to the Candle Wax.
- Wick Support
- Water Bath
Melting The Candle Wax
- Place the Candle Wax in the Coffee Tin
- Place the Coffee Tin in the Large Pot
- Place the Pot & Coffee Tin on the Stove Plate – Setting:- Med to Low Heat
- For Coloured Candles – Add the Dye
Candle Wick
- Measure the Wick – To suit the Mould – Add 3 cm
- Unwaxed Wick – Needs to be Pre-waxed. Dip the Wick in the Melted Candle Wax
- Keep the pre-waxed wick straight by placing it on a Flat Surface to harden.
- Place the Wick in the Centre of the Mould.
- Put on a Wick Support – To keep the wick Upright, Centre, Firm & Straight
- 1/2 Fill the Mould with the Melted Candle Wax
- Add the Fragrance – Drop by Drop (Optional)
- Leave for Approx – 10 mins – ( Wax Contracts – Depressions & Holes occur in the centre of the candle )
- Around the wick – Poke 3 – 4 Deep Holes
- Re-Melt the wax and Top up.
- Leave the Candle to Harden and Set
Can I Use a Microwave to Melt the Candle Wax – NO !!!
DO NOT use a Microwave when Candle Making
You are also dealing with a potentially flammable product & will cause extensive damage to your Microwave.
What is Stearin:- ( Stearin is added to Paraffin Wax – Maximum 10% Stearin to 90% Wax )
- By adding Stearin – The Candles release easier from the Moulds.
- It increases the opacity of candle wax, enhancing the dye colors.
- Makes the Candles Harder & Burn Longer.
- When using Powdered Candle Dyes. Melt the Dye in a small amount of Stearin before adding it to the wax. This allows the dye to disperse more evenly throughout the candle.
Why do Candles Crack:-
Most common Cause is the Melted Wax temperature is incorrect. Temperature 160 deg F – 71 deg C
What is a Wick Support (It is used to keep the Wick Centre and Straight on the Top of the Mould)
- Take Two Wooden Skewers – Put them side by side.
- Wrap a thin elastic band around each of the ends
- Gently separate them slightly and slide the prewaxed wick through the opening till the Wick is straight & taut
Finished Candle has Pitting & Bubbles
- Candle Mould might not have been dry inside the mould
- Warm the Moulds before Pouring
- Candle Wax Temperature – Too cool on pouring
- Place the Mould in a Water Bath (Basin filled partially with water) – Don’t let the water get inside the mould – Do the First Pour – Then remove from the Water Bath to cool at Room temperature.
- Too much Fragrance or Fragrance not compatible for Candle Wax
How to get Shiner Candles
- Place the Mould in a Water Bath (Basin filled partially with water)
- Don’t let the water get inside the mould
- Do the First Pour
- Then remove from the Water Bath to cool at Room temperature.
BASIC MOSAIC STEP by STEP INSTRUCTIONS ON WOOD
- If the item is for Outdoor Projects:- Seal your wooden blank by painting it with Grout Seal
- Plan your design.
- Cut the Mosaic Tiles in different shapes with your Mosaic Nipper – Place the tile in between the two cutting wheels and push down firmly.
- Put some crafters glue onto the wooden blank and place the nipped mosaic tile piece one at a time onto the wooden blank.
- A toothpick is handy to move mosaic tiles around before pressing the mosaic tile down into the glue.
- Pressing the tiles down ensures the glue spreads under the Mosaic Tile )
- Press down the mosaic tile – Leaving small spaces between the mosaic tiles for the grout.
- Once the gluing stage is Complete – Leave to Dry until the Glue is Transparent.
- Grouting – Indoors – Mix the grout with water to the Consistency of Icing.
- Outdoors – Mix your grout with Grout Seal instead of water to the Consistency of Icing
- Apply and Spread the grout with a Flat Mixing Stick – Over the Mosaic Tiles – Top and Sides of your Project.
- Using the Squeegee – Remove any excess grout on the Top and Sides.
- Leave to dry for Approx – 15 minutes.
- Using a damp sponge gently keep wiping off any excess grout – Don’t remove grout between the gaps.
- Leave for 24 hrs to cure – Using a Dry, Clean cloth – Wipe the Project to remove the hazy finish. Use Furniture Polish or Baby Oil to Polish and Shine your project.
What is Grout Seal:-
Acts as a Sealer on wood, ceramic, pottery etc… It will strengthen the Mosaic and Your Mosaic will become Water Resistant. Great for Mosaic Projects i.e. Outdoor Pots…
Why does Grout Crack:-
- Allowing grout to dry too quickly may cause shrinking i.e. Placing the Project in the Sun to dry.
- Mixture too dry or wet.
- Over wetting when Sponging
- Incorrect mixture ratio of Grout
- How can I Colour Grout:-
- Add a couple of drops of food coloring to the Grout
- Why use Ceramic or Pottery Glue:- Often used on i.e. Pots / Upright surfaces
- This glue has a Thicker consistency and the Tiles won’t slide down
How to Glitter Hints and Tips
How To:
- Cover the work area with newspaper.
- Place the object on a sheet of paper to catch the excess glitter.
- Using the Paint Brush – Paint the object with the glitter glue. Sprinkle a generous amount of glitter. Over the glue. Completely covering all the glue.
- Gently PAT the glitter
- Hold the object on its side and gently TAP off the excess glitter onto the paper.
- Slowly pour the excess glitter back into the container / plastic sachet.
- Let the glue dry for Approx: – 1 Hour.
Tips:
- If necessary, dilute the glitter glue with a little water. In a separate container, Mix two parts glue to one part water to an even consistency.
- A fairly thick layer of glue takes longer to dry. But will hold the glitter better.
- If you are going to do different Colours of glitter on the object – Paint small sections with glitter glue – Sprinkle a generous amount of the particular colour of glitter i.e. Red. Remember to always Pat and Tap the object after putting on each colour of glitter. Then paint another small section with glitter glue – Sprinkle a generous amount of the next colour of glitter i.e. Green. Continue until the object is completely glittered.
- If you miss a spot, go back and carefully touch up with additional glitter glue and glitter.
- For Large objects. Apply glitter glue and glitter in sections
- To make Lines / Patterns – Squirt Lines onto the object with the Glue – Then sprinkle generous amounts of Glitter. Do Not pat the glitter. Always remove excess glitter by tapping the object.
- For Outdoor Projects: – Spray lightly with vanish.