Thursday, February 26, 2015

Palm Wax Pillar

Palm Wax is absolutely one of the most beautiful waxes out there. With absolutely no effort at all, you can create beautiful candles that all have a one of a kind appearance. Palm wax is a natural wax product and the pillars it creates are truly fascinating. This wax can actually be used in votives and container candles as well for a bit of diversity! 

Palm waxes are fun to work with and there are a variety of patterns taht can be created using it. This particular candle is made using our Granite Palm Wax.




Supplies List:



Granite Palm Wax
Square Braid Cotton Wicks (and tabs if using wick pins for a 3" round I use a 1/0. RRD wicks can also be used in this wax)
Seamless Aluminum Mold
Auto Wick Pin (optional)
Mold Sealer Putty
Mold Plug
Liquid Candle Dye
Fragrance


Assemble the mold by placing a round ball of mold sealer around the wick pin and pushing it through the bottom of the mold. Squish the sealer between the mold and pin to form a tight seal so that the wax will not leak through. 

Wax Instructions:
Heat wax to 205-210* add dye, blend well and then add fragrance and

blend well. Feather palm wax will hold up to 6% fragrance by weight. Pour the wax between 200-205* for best results.
This wax will require re-pours. Wait until the surface of the candle has crusted over, poke multiple relief holes through the surface of the candle around the wick and about 3/4 of the way down the candle, the candle center will still be fluid at this point.



Fill with reserved wax heated 10* hotter than the first pour. Repeat this process as needed. Palm waxes should be cooled a slowly as possible to inhibit the crystal structure to form fully. This can be done in a Styrofoam cooler or other insulated box. It is advised to use mold release when making palm candles in any mold.





Happy Candle making! Enjoy your new Palm Wax Pillars!

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Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Custom Pillars!

I love doing something that the next person isn't. Custom pillars seems to be that thing! I have loved making these for ages and they are quite simple. All you need is a little imagination! Keep in mind I did this to show that indeed these were images I simply painted into the mold. 

I've done round candles, votive size that looked like peppermint candies in the past. I've also done them in multiple colors to look like a rainbow and more of a tie-dye effect. There is no right or wrong here. Just go with it!

I would recommend only one thing and that is to be sure to over-dip the candles when you are finished in a clear paraffin wax to seal them. The dye will rub off and make a mess if you do not.


Supplies list: 
Big Bowl or bucket With Ice or Snow (I am in Minnesota!) and ice cold water.  
Pillar Paraffin Wax, I used IGI 4625 for this  
Wick Based on the diameter of the mold. Square or flat braid cotton are best.  
A vessel that can be used to overdip the candle. It must be at least a few inches taller than the finished candle for this. I used a pour pot as my candles are all less than 5" in height. 
Candle Mold (I prefer seamless aluminum) Keep in mind this may stain your molds so be sure that is ok with you! 
Candle Wick Pin and Mold Sealer Putty  
Fragrance
Liquid Candle Dye (and a cheap paintbrush!)

First melt your wax and add fragrance according to these instructions: 
Heat wax to 190-200*. Once wax reaches desired temp, add your dye, blend well then add fragrance and again blend well. This wax should be poured between 185-195* into heated molds to minimize skip lines. It is advisable to poke relief holes around the wick of the candle once the wax has become solid but is still pliable.

After the first pour has cooled some, reheat your reserved wax from your first pour and refill the void (sink hole) in the candle until you reach the level of the first pour. You will want your second pour to be 10* hotter than your first pour to minimize lines from the second pour. Repeat the re-pour process as necessary.


While your wax is melting, use a cheap paint brush to lightly paint the inside of the mold using the liquid dyes. Go light, they will run if they are too heavy! I like using a round mold and painting it to look like a peppermint candy! Or a square mold with stripes! More than one color is fun too. Use your imagination!

 





When the mold is painted, insert the wick pin. Roll a ball of mold sealer putty up (I prefer white) and place it over the pin, and bring it to the bottom. Now place the mold over that and move it down and apply pressure to flatten the ball of sealer out to seal the wick hole and make a stable base.






Now place the mold inside the bucket etc that you have for ice water. fill it up but be careful it will not be deeper than the fully submerged mold. Only as deep as. 

Now it's time to pour the wax. Follow the pouring and repouring instructions above and have fun! When the candle is complete, remove it from the mold, blot off (don't rub!) any excess dye and before inserting the wick, place the candle back on the wick pin (so the bottom is facing down) and use that as a handle to overdip in your paraffin. You will want this wax to be about the same temp as you poured, about 180*. Just quick dip in and dip in a bucket of room temp water right away. Have fun with these candles, they can be quite fun to make!


Happy Candle Making!
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