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Peppermint Candles!
Part I
By
Lori Garcia, editor-in-chief
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Part
One
This project is a little lengthy and so I will have two installments.
Basically, this is a hurricane candle and is essentially two
candles in one. In part one, I will show you how to make the
basic candle. Then in part two, we'll put that candle in a larger
mold and add the candies. This is a great holiday project!
(Disclaimer: Always watch the wax and be careful with the
hot temperatures of the stove. Candle making can be dangerous
and children should be accompanied by a responsible adult.)
Here's
what you'll need in Part One
-1 lb of 130 degree wax
-old sauce pan
-large tin cans (spaghetti sauce cans work great!)
-1-3"x4" candle mold
- cotton candle wick
- mold sealer
-1 Tbs of Searic Acid (Any craft/candle store)
-wooden spoon
-candle, soap, thermometer
-1 tbs of candle scent in peppermint
- silicon mold release spray
1. Place
the pound of wax in the tin can and place it in the sauce
pan to create a kind of double boiler. (Note: wax cannot be
melted over direct heat. You must have a water layer.)
2. Fill
the sauce pan with water so it comes half-way up the pan and
place the pan on the stove on high.
3. Using
the wooden spoon, stir the wax as it melts.
4. Meanwhile,
string the wick up through the mold's hole and tie the top
to a pencil so that the pencil is parallel to the top of the
mold.
5. Using
the mold sealer, place a small piece of the putty over the
bottom of the mold's hold and trim the wick. Pull the
wick straight, but not too tight.
6. Using
a small amount, spray the silicon mold release spray inside
the mold.
7. Watching
the melting wax all the while, let it melt till it reaches
180 degrees. Once it's reached 180 degrees, add the
tablespoon of searic acid and teaspoon of peppermint scent
to the wax. Stir well.
8. Turn
off the burner and, using a potholder, carefully pour the
wax mixture into the mold.
9. Using
the wooden spoon, gently tap the sides of the mold.
This will release any air bubbles that may be trapped in the
wax. Air bubbles will increase the "shrinkage" your
candles produces when it cools. (Shrinkage occurs naturally
when the wax cools. You will have to refill the shrinkage
areas.)
10. Let
the candle cool. This usually takes 4-5 hours.
Refill any shrinkage. This may take more than one refill.
11. CONGRATULATIONS.
This is the end of Part One. Check
out Part Two of the Peppermint
Candle project! |
