| Are you one of the many people that enjoy the | | | | you prefer. To get an even melt quicker divide the |
| soothing effects that a candle brings to a room? | | | | gel into small pieces prior to putting it into the heating |
| Then you will probably love gel candles. Candles are | | | | device. |
| normally made out of waxes that include paraffin, | | | | 3. Use your good thermometer to monitor the gel |
| beeswax, palm, soy and others that are opaque. Gel | | | | temperature and do not let it exceed 200 degrees. |
| candles are made with a mixture of 95% mineral oil | | | | Higher temperatures will cause the gel to become less |
| and 5% polymer resin and bring transparency to an | | | | clear and this ruins one of the most appealing features |
| already delightful addition to any room. They can be | | | | of gel candles. |
| scented, colored and embedded with small objects | | | | 4. Hold the temperature at 200 degrees until all the |
| and believe it or not, you can make your own | | | | wax melts and it gains a consistency similar to cane |
| personalized gel candles. Â | | | | syrup. |
| Everything you need to make your own gel candles is | | | | 5. Very sparingly add color. Liquid colors are |
| available locally from craft shops or from online candle | | | | recommended and they should be added a drop at |
| making suppliers. It is important to specify gel candles | | | | the time with a tooth pick. Keep adding the dye until |
| when selecting supplies and equipment because the | | | | the desired shade appears and remember that a little |
| process is different from wax based candles. | | | | color goes a long way with gel candles. |
| Here are the materials needed to make gel candles: | | | | 6. Add the scenting agent as recommended by the |
| 1. Gel ( Penreco's Versagel™ is a very popular | | | | supplier. |
| brand). | | | | 7. To aid in the reduction of bubbles it is a good idea |
| 2. Zinc wicks (cotton wicks are not suitable for gel | | | | to heat the container to 150 degrees just prior to |
| candles). | | | | putting the hot gel into the container. |
| 3. Scenting agents (this is optional, is a great source) | | | | 8. Now is the time for embeds if you are going to |
| 4. Coloring (liquids are the best). | | | | enhance your gel candles with such items as marbles, |
| 5. Embeds (interesting non-flammable objects to | | | | pearls, polished stones, sea shells, glitter, sand or |
| suspend in the candle). | | | | crystals. The idea is to place them near the edge of |
| And here is the necessary equipment: | | | | the container so they can be seen easier. This is |
| !. Gel wax heater (can be a stainless steel pot of a | | | | accomplished by dipping them first in the hot gel with |
| specifically designed electric | | | | metal tongs and them sticking them to the sides of the |
|        wax heater). | | | | container. Things such as glitter or sand could be |
| 2. Stainless steel stirrer. | | | | mixed directly into the hot gel. |
| 3. Metal tongs to insert embeds. | | | | 9. Next is the excitement of loading the container |
| 4. Containers (preferably clear glass). | | | | with the hot gel (be careful, the gel is hot and |
| After the supplies and equipment are assembled you | | | | flammable). Add the hot gel slowly down the side of |
| are ready to make your own gel candles utilizing the | | | | the container to eliminate bubbles. If you are new to |
| following easy steps: | | | | this you may not be able to avoid bubbles forming but |
| 1. Like installing the electrical wiring in a new house | | | | that will go away with practice. |
| before the drywall goes in the wick must be attached | | | | 10. When the requisite amount of gel is added to the |
| to the bottom of the container first. Hot gluing is a | | | | container pull up the wick and secure it in the center of |
| good way to secure the wick in the proper position at | | | | the hot mix by rolling it up on a pencil. After the |
| the center of the bottom of the container. | | | | candle cools at its own pace (no artificial cooling) the |
| 2. Melt the gel in your fancy electric gel wax heater | | | | excess wick can be trimmed and the beautiful gel |
| or a stainless steel pot over medium heat, whichever | | | | candle can be enjoyed by all. |