Although candles are loved by one and all, it is gel candles that are becoming all the rage. The possibility of creatively and artistically designing them is one explanation. You can easily personalize them…thus, adding an extra touch when given to someone as a gift. Another reason is they burn at a slower rate and last longer than paraffin or wax candles.

If you are off to buy wax to make gel candles be reminded that there are three different densities of gel wax available -high, medium and low. High density wax is the best choice for exceptionally fragrant candles since it is able to embrace the fragrance better than medium or low density wax. This means that the candle will have a stronger scent.

Use a non-stick mult-cooker instead of a double boiler, skillet or sauce pan when melting wax to make gel candles. A multi-cooker will speed up the melting process…since gel wax is thicker than other waxes.

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When stirring the gel wax, do not use anything made of wood. To minimize bubbles in the gel wax, use a stirrer made from hard plastic or metal.

Due to the substantial nature of the gel, pouring it into a mold can be a challenge…be patient as you pour. Also, more time is required for molding because of the consistency of the gel wax.

The thickness of the gel is one of the marvelous advantages of a gel candle because it will let you “suspend” or “float” different objects in your candle. You can also get creative and change the color of your gel candles by using bright, rich liquid dyes. These liquid dyes preserve the translucency of the gel wax. It only requires a few drops, so be careful when adding it to your wax. Using too much will mess up your candle.

Do not use clothing dye, childrens crayons, soap dyes or food coloring. Since these are not made for candles, using them will cause burn problems!

You will have lots of fun using these techniques!

Why not see how to make beeswax candles now?

Aromatic candles will enhance the ambience of a room. If you’re a warm and romantic type of person, you will appreciate the aroma of scented candles. You and your guests will be treated to a sense of calm and well being. And, of course, the glow of almost any candle highlights the elegance of the room.

The subtle aroma of a scented candle will heighten your spirit, even before the candle is lit. So when you come home tired and frazzled, the aroma & flickering glow of a scented wax candle will relieve your tightness & lift your spirits.

Aromatic candles serve as wonderful gifts for all occasions and every season, and they are particularily meaningful when crafted by your own hands.

1. Pick Your Candle Fragrance

Fragrance oil is available in most craft shops. You may also shop for it on the web. I suggest that you opt for fragrance oils rather the cheaper alcohol and water based fragrances. Since your wax mix will be oil based, use a fragrance that is also be oil based. Why? As oil & water do not mix, a water based perfume tends not to mix with oil based wax.

2. Select Your Wax

The basics of making a scented candle are more or less the same as for ordinary wax candles. Start by choosing your desired kind of wax. The current day market offers a versatile range of wax starting with beeswax, palm or soy & moving on to gel or paraffin wax. Decide on the aromatic intensity of your candles before making a wax selection. For example, in case of gel candles, gel wax with less density holds less fragrance compared to gel wax with higher density.

3. The Art of Making Aromatic Candles

Let’s cover the method for making aromatic candles.

The first step is to melt your wax. For this purpose, a double boiler can be used. That means put the wax in a small pot. Now place that container into a slightly larger pot partially filled with water. Now heat the H2O. You’ll need a thermometer to ensure the wax is not burnt. The temperature must be kept between 170 &180 degrees F.

After the wax is melted, insert a wick into the mold and remove your wax from it’s source of heat. Now add the fragrance oil that you have chosen. A mixture of 1 ounce of fragrance oil to 1 pound of wax will create a fragrance level equal to 6% of candle density. Be aware that greater amounts of fragrance will cause the candle to burn out sooner owing to higher liquid density of the candle.

Now pour the melted wax/fragrance mixture into your mold. The only job remaining is to let it cool before removing your candle from it’s mold.

Congratulations on a job well done!

4. Experiment as You Go Along

Start experimenting and you will soon become an expert in all aspects of making candles. By using different fragrances and colors, you will perfect the candle making technique and thoroughly enjoy the process.

It’s a great feeling to gift your loved ones with a scented homemade candle knowing that they will find the fragrant essences both relaxing and invigorating.