Soy Candles

Candle MakingBy Steve Pfeiffer

Here's what you need:
A stove or hot plate. This is where you will heat the wax. A double boiler with a pouring pot or a large pot or pan to fill with water and an empty coffee can to set inside the larger pan. Wax that will melt inside the coffee can. A thermometer to test the temperature of the wax before pouring. As many wicks as you need for the number of candles you will make. A candle mold in which the wax will harden. Metal molds are used for votives and pillars, but beginners may opt for Dixie cups. Glass or earthenware containers to use for container candles. Fragrance and coloring to give your candles the finishing touch. Mold-release agent could be useful for making votives. Spray it into the molds before pouring and they will pop out easily once hardened.
How to Choose Wax and Wicks
There are many different types of wax, all of which are good choices for making different candles. The real difficulty is choosing the wick to match the wax type. The wick is the part you burn, but there is more to the wick than what meets the eye. It absorbs the oil in the candle and it keeps the wick burning. However, fragrance, coloring, and the type of wax used will affect the way the wick burns, resulting in everything from mushrooming (carbon build-up) to drowning.
Wick Types
Pre-tabbed votive wicks are a good idea for the beginner who is starting with votive candle projects. Pre-tabbed wicks can also be used for container candles.
Braided Wicks
Flat braided wicks are best for taper and pillar candles. They are not suitable for votives, tea lights, or container candles.
Square braided wicks are good for just about every type of candle, but especially for beeswax candles.
Both types will burn on a slight curve so that they burn more evenly. They are also less likely to mushroom.
Make sure to pick the right size wick:
Choose 18 ply (#1) for pillars with a one to two inch diameter. Choose 24 ply (#2) for pillars with up to a three inch diameter. Choose 32 ply (#3) for pillars up to four inches in diameter.
Cored Wicks
Zinc Core -- This is by far the most common cored wick type. It is the slowest and coolest burning of all, making it ideal for votives, container candles, and tea lights. Paper Core -- These burn the hottest and are typically employed in container candles. Hemp Core -- These are strong and rigid wicks that can be used with almost any type of candle.
HTP Coreless
Coreless Cotton -- Often referred to as "self-cleaning" wicks, these are ideal for container candles.
Wax Types
Beginners interested in making votives and container candles can start with paraffin wax. It is inexpensive and easy to find, plus it comes in a wide variety of melting points, typically low to medium. For a higher grade wax, refined paraffin wax produces less smoke (because it contains less oil) and it burns slower. Both types are perfect for adding color and fragrance. Beeswax is a popular type of wax that is slow burning and more expensive. When burned, a faint honey aroma is released. For super simple candles, you can buy beeswax sheets that you roll up instead of melting.
Soybean wax is clean burning and it comes in a variety of melt points suitable for a variety of applications, from votives to container candles to pillars. The only complaint about this type of wax is that it doesn't always burn evenly.
Palm wax is typically hard and has a high melting point (around 140). When hardened it looks crystalline.
Bayberry wax is hard, and somewhat brittle, but it has a melting point of around 120. It has a greenish color and a faint scent to it when burned.
Gel wax is one of the newest types of wax that are totally clear and easy to pour.
Some people purchase additives to blend into their waxes in order to slow the burn, especially in container candles. Additives include petroleum jelly, vegetable shortening, and mineral oil. These shouldn't be used when making pillar candles or other standing candles. Most waxes will state whether they require additives or not.
http://www.silvercitycandle.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Pfeiffer

Using Soy Wax For Candle Making - An OverviewBy Laxmi Keshav

Things you should know
First and foremost, register in your mind that all soy wax is not the same. Your soy wax candle making will vary depending on the temperature requirements of the manufacturer of soy wax. Soy wax is different, so you must check the recommended temperatures for different soy wax for candle making.
Precaution to be taken
Always remember that electronic equipment and soy wax can not be together. Rather,to put it straight, soy wax, or any wax for that matter,is really quite dangerous for your expensive equipment and must not be kept away from your equipment.
The Candle Making Process
First decide upon the quantity of candles that you are going to make. Then, make an estimate of the quantity of soy wax you will need to make that many candles. On a rough estimate, about a pound of soy wax would melt and give you about sixteen ounces of liquid wax. Next consider the size of your jar. Now you can guess how much candles you can or wish to make from a pound of soy wax.
Now is time for calibration of the jar. You can do this using water to fill it and then note down the quantity in ounces. It will help you decide about the amount of soy wax for candle making that you will require.
Next step is to melt the wax at the recommended temperature, and then let it cool to a specified temperature. Then you can add a fragrance of your choice.
Now, stir the mixture a few times before you actually begin to pour it. The correct time to start pouring the candles is when the wax begins to cool to the suggested temperature or when it begins to change in consistency.
Wait for about 15 minutes before you start the process of making layers and marble your candles. Also wait for about same time in between making of every next layer.
There are different techniques to make your candles stand out from the crowd. You can use labels,ribbons,stickers and even charms to the containers. Such additions will also make your product look exciting.
Laxmi Keshav collects useful information about various hobbies. You can get it here - scented soy wax candles usa and here - soy wax candles moisturizer
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laxmi_Keshav

The Joy of HobbiesBy Veronica Scott

There is nothing like a hobby to fill up that spare time and take away the stress and strain from the working hours. Whether collecting, playing games, outdoor recreation, or creative hobbies, there is nothing like unplugging from it all for a few hours to have some good old-fashioned fun with family and friends. People of all ages find joy in different hobbies, as schoolchildren play with toys and dollhouses and adults collect stamps or try a little creative cooking.
Collecting
One popular form of hobby is collecting. This takes the form of stamp collecting, coin collecting, car collecting, or any other form of collectible. Most people that are into collecting get as much joy out of organizing and cataloguing their collection as they do from the actual objects they collect. People that collect typically like to display their collections, too, and may dedicate an entire room or area of their home to displaying their prized possessions.
Some people have a hobby of collecting experiences, often through photographs or videos. This type of collecting is done by taking pictures of places the collector has been or of animals, such as birds, that the collector enjoys. Having pictures or video recordings of a collectible is quickly catching on and is becoming a popular and advanced way to collect. Examples of this type of collecting include train spotting, aircraft spotting, and those who observe and study underground railroads (metrophiles).
Playing Games
Lots of people love playing games for recreation, but there are some that make the playing of certain games into full-fledged hobbies. Some of the more popular games that people play for hobby purposes include chess, checkers, poker, and other variations of card games. Board games are also popular. Many people enjoy playing board games in recreational situations with family and friends, as "games nights" are becoming more and more popular among young families.
Outdoor Games and Hobbies
A lot of hobbies take place in the great outdoors, of course. Hiking, walking, canoeing, camping, and climbing are examples of some of the hobbies people enjoy outside. Often, people will group themselves and join "walking clubs" or other organizations to be around other people that share their love of the hobby. It is not uncommon to see large groups of people hiking or walking in national parks or walking trails, as these hobbies are quickly becoming more popular among young adults and older people.
Creative Hobbies
People also like to be creative when it comes to their hobbies and activities. Many people like to build things, such as cars or model vehicles, and enjoy the challenge and eventual satisfaction that putting something together from scratch can bring. Others enjoy cooking or painting to show off their artistic side. Building or painting dollhouses, model cars, or toy railroads is also popular among kids and adults alike. There are a number of hobby stores available that can provide products and advice in terms of building toys or other hobby projects, too, making starting a new hobby easy and fun.
Learn more about the fascinating world of miniatures. Visit TheMagicalDollhouse.com today for a great dollhouse and dollhouse accessories from top miniature companies.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Veronica_Scott