Candle Making Kits

Candle Making Kits - A Candle Hobby Can Be Fun
By Christopher J

Millions of people throughout the world have hobbies to help them relax after a long day of work. One hobby that has risen in popularity is candle making.

Candle making has become sort of an art form. Each person has their own ideas and designs for candles, and each candle has the potential of becoming a work of art, if only to its creator.

Candle making is not difficult, however if you are creating something that will become a focal point of a room, you want it to be perfect. The great thing about candle making is that if you make a mistake, you can melt the candle and start all over again.

Candle Making Kits Are Great

Candle making kits are great for first timers to introduce yourself to candle making. Candle making kits will show you the basic steps and techniques when you have the basic knowledge of how to make candles, you will be able to create candles that are stunning.

The first step in candle making is to protect your work surface from melted wax. Covering with newspaper or heavy plastic will insure that your workspace is kept clean.

You do not need elaborate tools to create wonderful candles. A roasting pan and a thermometer will work just as well as all of the fancy equipment that can be quite expensive.

Candle making kits can become a way to spend quality time with your children. However, it is very important that they are supervised at all times to avoid any accidents that may occur.

Safety First

Melting wax is relatively easy, however little fingers may try to test it. Make sure that you advise your children that although the melted wax may smell good, it is extremely hot and they could get serious injuries if they try to touch it.

Dyes and fragrances for candles are available at craft stores throughout the country. It is important that you add the dye slowly to the melted wax and wait for it to dissolve completely. Adding colors one at a time will allow you to determine which colors work with each other the best.

It is very important that you watch the wax very carefully when it is melting. If the heat is too high, it will burn the wax. If melting wax begins to smoke, remove it from the heat immediately, being very careful not to spill any on your skin. If this should happen, do not wipe it off. You could spread it cause more serious burns. Instead, run it under cold water until the wax hardens and it should fall right off.

Once you have poured your wax into your molds, it will need twenty-four hours or more to cool and harden completely. Once the candle has set up, it is time to decorate.

Add Personality To Your Candle Making

Choosing the right pattern for your candle is the most creative part of candle making. If you want to add a splash of color, try melting your favorite colored crayon for a vibrant look to your candle.

You can use just about anything from stencils to non-flammable beads to create works of art. You are limited only by your imagination.

If you choose to create scented candles, adding crushed herbs will give a pleasant scent that will last as long as the candle itself. Candle making kits come with complete instructions on how to create the perfect candle. They are easy to follow and can be used in any setting. Candle Making Kits are great fun and also make for an interesting past time by yourself or with your family. Learn even more about candle making kits at. Types of Candles.com

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Christopher_J http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Christopher_J

Soap Making Supply... What And Where!

By Al Bullington

Soap making supply sources are very numerous on the Internet. It's actually puzzling where to go for supplies and information.
Consider these five categories of soap supplies that you must choose for your soap making project.
1. Oils
The most basic material you must choose are your base oils, the actual oils that turn to soap. If you're making only small batches, you may choose to use what's available in your local grocery store.
As your production volume goes up, you may choose to buy in larger volume. Here, shipping costs are a major factor.
If you do order your oils, consider Columbus Foods in Chicago for excellent quality materials at great prices.
2. Scents
If you scent your soaps, which you probably will, the choice of a scent supplier is difficult. Thee are so many to choose from.
You must choose whether to use synthetic fragrance oils in endless varieties. Or you may decide to use natural essential oils.
There are suppliers who specialize in each or some carry both types.
The choice of the scent oils may be a large part of your cost for a bar of soap.
3. Colors
Colors can be commercial pigments approved for cosmetics. These are often clay based.
Or there are many natural materials that produce muted earth tones. I've used and enjoy rose hips, spirulina, turmeric, kelp and many other natural plant-based materials as colorants.
Some soap making supply sources carry both types.
4. Lye
Lye is used to turn the oils to soap. It is a necessary ingredient in soap. But it is classified as a hazardous material so it's expensive to ship. Luckily it is available through many of the soap supply source companies.
Lye can sometimes be found in building supply stores in the plumbing department.
The best place to buy lye is locally through an industrial chemical supply house. You'll most likely need a tax exempt certificate or some way to prove you're a business. Your wholesale cost will be far less than any other way.
5. Information
There is a bewildering amount of information about making soap available online.
Much of it is very good. and from reliable sources. Some of it is worthless.
A good inexpensive basic printed book is Soap by Ann Bramson. It's a classic.
With some good guidance and a little work you can find the best soap making supply sources for your soap making projects.
Al Bullington writes about rural living and small scale business topics. He has made and sold soap for years.
For ideas about the best soap making supply sources as well as professional tips on making and marketing soap get his Soap Business Kit at [http://www.soapbizkit.com]www.soapbizkit.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Al_Bullington [http://ezinearticles.com/?Soap-Making-Supply...-What-And-Where!&id=643047 ]http://EzineArticles.com/?Soap-Making-Supply...-What-And-Where!&id=643047

Fingerprint Pendant, Brooch, Tie Pin or charm

For this project you will need the following:
Silicon Moulding Compound
Stainless Steel Burnisher
Stainless Steel Brush
Art Clay 650 Silver 7 or 10g – depending on the size of the print to be taken Sanding Pads
Jump Ring & Necklace or Earring fittings
Liver of Sulphur

This is a wonderful project to make as a present for parents, grandparents aunts, etc. Or for a new parent to make as a keepsake.

1. Mix together equal quantities of the blue and white Silicon Moulding Compound until well blended, about 5mls of each for a small child’s print. You have to ensure that there are no streaks or light and dark patches. Roll this mixture into a ball and flatten slightly.

2. Press a clean and dry finger or thumb into this ball and hold for about 1 minute. You will need to allow this mould to rest for about five to eight minutes. It is ready when a fingernail pressed into the silicon no longer leaves an impression.

3. When the mould is ready press the Art Clay into the mould and smooth out the back.

4. At this stage a Bail Back or Eyelet can be pressed into the wet clay or they can be attached later using a bit of Art Clay Paste.

5. Allow the Art Clay to dry either in the mould for a few hours or overnight or after about 1 hour carefully remove the Art Clay shape and dry using a hairdryer or in a moderate oven.

6. When completely dry you can sand out any rough edges and carve out the person’s name or date of birth, etc.

7. You can now fire the shape on a Gas Hob, with a Gas torch or in a Kiln. Firing instructions for the different methods are included with the Art Clay.

8. Once fired the fingerprint can then be brushed with a Stainless Steel Brush and burnished. Burnishing helps strengthens the finished item as well as giving it a lovely shine.

9. You can also finish the piece by dipping it into a solution of Liver of Sulphur. This does highlight the finger print rather well. You can achieve all sorts of colours using this method and it may be worth experimenting.

10. If you do not like the finished effect with the Liver of Sulphur then just refire the piece, brush and burnish.

You know have a wonderful keepsake of someone special to wear as a Pendant, Brooch, Charm, Tie Pin, etc. Enjoy!!!

A kit is available with everything you need to make your own Fingerprint for only £32.95 which is a 16% saving on the normal Retail Price!! The kit contains enough to be able to make 2 fingerprints of children.

The kit includes: Stainless Steel Mesh
Stainless Steel Brush
Burnisher
Art Clay 650 10g
Sanding Pads – 3 grits
A Bail Back
Sterling Silver 18" or 16" Necklace
Liver of Sulphur
Blue & White Moulding Compound


Buy the kit here...