Gel Candles

Have you ever made a gel candle?  Do you like gel candles?  I have been curious about them, but have not experienced burning them. I can’t imagine a candle that is not made with wax, but I am intrigued how they burn and smell.  I found this video on youtube today on making gel candles at home, and thought I would share it with you.  Enjoy!

Basics

The basis for all of the gel candles includes the following items:

• Candle gel
• Wicks – preferably coated as they are easier to work with
• Scissors for trimming the wick
• Accessories as listed in the recipes

Beach Themed Candles

Beach lovers will enjoy the thought put into this candle as well as the beauty of having the seashore brought inside. 

Items Needed:

• Glass containers: Size and shape are totally up to you; small fishbowls are wonderful for larger candles
• Sand, either regular beach sand or glitter sand
• Seashells and Sand Dollars – you can purchase these at your local craft store or find them on the  beach
• Fragrant oil for scenting the candle, if desired.

Instructions

• Using hot glue secure the wick to the inside of your glass container.
• If using coloring or scented oil place in gel as it melts.
• Pour sand in the bottom of the container.
• Pour in a layer of melted gel– if you want a pale ocean color, tint with light blue dye while melting. Similarly, if you want the candle to have a fragrance, add a light-bodied fragrant oil while melting the gel.
• Add seashells and sand dollars around the outer edges of the container.
• Add another layer of gel, covering the shells completely.
• Depending on the depth of your container, you may be able to add another layer of shells before topping off with gel.
• Allow to set and trim the wick to ¼” from top of container.

Variations

• After adding the sand cover put a layer of small shells on top of it before beginning gel layers; or
• Add a large conch shell on top of the sand then use smaller ones as you layer the gel.

These beach themed candles make great centerpieces for outdoor or indoor weddings or summer parties.

Bride and Groom Candles

Give the bride and groom a set of matching candles made using champagne flutes.  Add a light scent and color that corresponds to the wedding color to make them even more special. If you prefer to have the candle colored more like champagne, use a pale yellow color.

Items Needed:

• Champagne flutes – plain or inscribed with “Bride” and “Groom”
• If desired, small bride and groom figurine, small ceramic wedding bells, or other wedding celebration accessories you would like to add. Make sure any items you choose are ceramic.
• Fragrant oil for scenting the candle, if desired.
• Lace or ribbon for decoration

Instructions

• Secure the wick to the bottom of the champagne flute using hot glue.
• If using coloring or scented oil place in gel as it melts.
• Fill the flute partially with gel.
• Place the bride figurine in one flute, the groom in the other flute – if using inscribed flutes, make sure the bride is in the bride flute and the groom is in the groom flute.
• Continue filling with gel until approximately ¼ inch from rim.
• When gel sets, trim wick to approximately ¼”.
• Tie a pretty ribbon or lace bow around the base of the flute.

Variations

• Instead of using a bride and groom, add plastic wedding bells as you fill the flute. Alternate layers of wedding bells and gel until you reach the top; or,
• Use artificial flower petals that represent the bouquet carried by the bride.

 These flutes make great keepsakes to remind your favorite couple of their special day.

Gel wax has greatly changed the world of candle making. With its transparency the possibilities are limited only by your imagination and the speed with which it sets makes producing large numbers of candles less time consuming than with traditional candles.

Making gel candles uniquely individual is one of the most appealing aspects of the process. The only thing that has to be taken into consideration is that containers must be used, unless of course the time is taken to make unique molds as well.

Gel candles can be made using seashells from vacations, coins from travels around the world, even beer cap collections can be used to make personalized candles.  They can be tinted using dyes and scented using fragrant oils.

Materials

Before you begin making the candles you need to assemble your materials. The most expensive part of the process is the gel wax itself. You will need:

• Gel wax
• Glass containers – use your imagination, shot glasses, martini glasses, fish bowls;
• Fragrant oils – if you want to add scent;
• Dye – if you want your candles colored;
• Wick – the length of which is determined by the height of your container; use wax coated wicks for gel candles, not paper wicks.
• Décor for putting in the candle if desired.

You should also have a pot or kettle to melt and pour the gel from. Camping equipment is an excellent place to find a sturdy kettle to use. It will stand up to the repeated heating.

Making Your Candles

First you need to make sure that your containers are very clean and dry. Any residue or foreign materials that remain inside the container can cause your gel wax not to set properly.

You will need to melt you gel; however, you must keep an eye on the gel as it is melting as it can reach its flash point very quickly and be on fire before you know it. Using a thermometer is the best way to insure that you don’t exceed the recommended temperature. Also, do not under any circumstances whatsoever melt the gel in the microwave, it is very dangerous.

If you are going to color your gel you can do this after the gel has melted. Test the color by pouring a small spoon of it on a sheet of white paper, if the color is darker than you want it, add more gel, if it is lighter than you want it, add more dye.

This is also the time to add fragrant oil if you want to make scented candles. Again, add more if you aren’t satisfied with the odor and if it has too much smell add more gel to the mix.

You are now ready to position your wick. The method you use will depend on how precise you want your candles to be. If you are giving them for gifts and don’t want bubbles, you will want to use the pencil method. If you are making them for yourself and don’t mind some bubbles use the easier, hot glue method.

The hot glue method entails using hot glue to secure the wick to the bottom center of the container. As the wax is poured in, it will react with the glue and cause some bubbles.

The pencil method requires filling the container with wax, dipping the wick in the wax, removing the excess wax from the wick and rolling it around a pencil. Position the pencil over the container with the wick in the center and dropping it down into the gel. When the gel cools cut the wick no longer than ¼ inch.

If you are adding embellishments to your gel candle you should dip them in wax and arrange them in the container before you pour the wax in the container. You should also arrange them closer to the outer edge to make them visible.

Enjoy

Once your candles set you are now ready to enjoy your candles. Gel candle making is not a difficult process and can make beautiful gifts to share with your friends and family, during holidays or just because you want to share your newfound talent.

The transparency of gel candle wax makes is terrific for creating very decorative candles, with other objects “floating” inside. It looks much like water, and works particularly well for candles resembling small aquariums or ocean scenes.

With a bit of colouring, the gel can be tinted and made into some very realistic looking drink candles, too. They are especially popular when made to look like glasses of champagne, as wedding decorations.

The gel is really only made by one company at the moment, and you should seek the authentic product to ensure a safe product. It’s made by Penreco, and the brand name is Versagel.

Gel candle wax is made up of about 95% mineral oil, and 5% polymer resin. It comes in three types: low, medium and high density gels. They are usually labeled CLP, CMP and CHP.

For making the fancy candles with little embedded decorations, you need to use the high density gel (CHP). It’s firm enough to support the items without having them slowly settle through the gel to the bottom of the container. CHP candle gel can also take a higher dose of fragrance oil for scented candles. When making candles, it’s melted down to a liquid, and poured into containers with a wick fastened in the center.

Containers used for making gel candles should be thick and solid glass. Candle gel is hotter than wax once it starts burning and can crack thin glass. Candles made in delicate wine glasses or martini glasses may look nice, but may not be that safe. So keep your candles safe by using quality heavy glassware. You can use the same types of wicks used in wax candles.

What makes gel candles unique is that other decorations can be embedded in the clear gel, making very realistic aquarium and other water scenes. So a very important gel candle supply would be these little decorations, usually just called “embeds”. For safety sake, only use embeds that are glass, wax or stone. Seashells would work also. Anything flammable like herbs, flowers (real or silk) or plastic must be avoided.

Some companies offer gel candle making kits, so you can get all the appropriate supplies together. A nice option if you are new to making gel candles. Some are themed, so you can make a certain type of candle. There are also more generic kits available which would allow you to be a bit more creative and design something yourself.

The gel used in making these types of candles is a new product, created by a company called Penreco. The brand name is Versagel, and it comes in low, medium and high density.

Look for the product name so you know you are getting authentic and safe candle gel. Bitter Creek has a good selection of Versagel and other gel candle supplies. More and more craft stores that carry candle supplies are starting to also carry candle gel. You might want to ask about it, if they don’t.

The most attractive ones, are usually the ones that have a number of decorative items carefully placed and embedded in the gel to create a scene.

One thing that makes a good gel candle, is one that’s made for safe burning. And there are a few things you should look for when looking for a safe gel candle.

Stay away from gel candles that have been poured into thin or fine glassware. They may look nicer, or be higher quality but they are not safe. Gel candles burn quite hot, and if the glass is thin, there is a real chance it could shatter while burning. And because of the heat, the embedded items should not be flammable. Glass or stone are best.

Well-made gel candles will have a minimum of bubbles, unless of course the candle is designed to look like a carbonated drink that needs to have some bubbles. But otherwise, it can ruin the look of an ocean scene or set of floating roses. It also means the person making the candle didn’t take enough time to do it properly.

The best gel candles will also be made with authentic Versagel C candle gel. Other counterfeit gels may not be safe to burn, though there is no specific certainty they will be dangerous. You just never know.

Now that I am a grown up, I hate canning. I would love to see the jars lining shelves but I just don’t have the time to preserve anything and I often try to avoid doing so. However, I do love candles and Fruit Gel Candles take me back to those days when I had shelves of canned fruit.

Of course, I can’t eat any of the fruit since they are waxed embeds but I can enjoy the appearance of the jars and I can enjoy burning my own fruit gel candles. Even more, I can make my own fruit gel candles in less time than it took my mom and family to can even one type of fruit.

What you need:

• Gel Wax: This can be purchased at most craft stores and you can find them at many online craft stores as well.
• Zinc Core Wicks: Another item that can be found at any craft store in the candle aisle. Make sure you purchase Zinc Core since cotton wicks will absorb the gel, making it harder for it to burn.
• Essential Oils: Choose fragrances that are similar to the fruit effect you are creating. So if you are going with lemons, use a citrus fragrance. Make sure that the oil is compatible with gel wax.
• Fruit Embeds: You can find these just about anywhere; craft stores and online suppliers. They are a wax sculpture of a fruit that can be placed in a gel candle.
• Dye: Like the fragrance, it is important to find a dye that is compatible with gel wax. Also use colors that compliment your fruit. If the colors are too dark, you may lose the fruit in the jar.
• Glass jars: Remember to use a clear jar that has thick glass so you can see the fruit and it can also withstand the heat from the wax.
• Pencil: This is for keeping the wick from slipping into the hot wax.
• Double Boiler: This can be a double boiler that you purchase for the special reason of candle making or it can be a pot filled with about 2 or 3 inches of water with a coffee can placed in the center of it.
• Rubbing Alcohol: You only need this for prep work.

Directions:

1. Before you begin making your fruit gel candles, it is important to wash all the glass jars thoroughly. Use rubbing alcohol to remove any grease or fingerprints on the glass.
2. A great rule of thumb is to fill a glass with water to determine the depth you would like the candle to be. You can pour the water into a measuring cup to determine how much wax you will need or you can simply eyeball it.
3. Make sure all the glasses are dry before you pour the wax into them.
4. Take the wick and cut it to the size that you would like for the candle. Make sure to leave 4 to 5 inches of extra length on the wick. Attach one end to a pencil and set to the side.
5. On the stove, melt the wax in a double boiler over a medium-low temperature. It is safer to use a thermometer to insure that you do not overheat the wax.
6. While your wax is cooking, warm the jars in the oven. You should set the heat to about 160°F.
7. Remove the jars and prepare the embeds. You do this by carefully dipping the embeds in the hot gel wax.
8. Arrange the embeds around the jar in the design that you would like.
9. Place the pencil across the jar and allow the wick to hang down the center of the jar.
10. If you are using an essential oil, add it to the hot wax and stir until it is well blended. Add the dye if you are using it but remember to not make the gel too dark or you will not be able to see the fruit.
11. Pour the melted gel wax into the jar. It is best if you pour it along the sides to avoid bubbles. The gel will fill in the spaces between the embeds.
12. Allow the gel to cool and solidify before you remove the wick from the pencil and trim it to about ¼ inch above the top of the gel. To remove excess wax, place the jar in a container of hot water and wipe clean with a moist cloth.

Finish off the jars with a decoration or simply place them on a shelf for decoration that can be used at a later time.

-Sirena Van Schaik

But what if you don’t want to buy the candles but still want to have an amazing candle decoration. Well, you can always make your own and candles are surprisingly easy to make.

Gel candles are always a lot of fun to make and they are very easy. You can make them using just about any type of container and you can make them fit for any type of occasion or space.

In this recipe, we take you from the producing simple boring candles to creating beautiful works of art that would make a great treat for anyone.

Making a wine glass gel candle

What you need:

• Wine glasses: You need the wine glasses, of course. These are going to be used for your container and it is better to use thick glass instead of thin since the heat from the candles can break a glass.
• Gel Wax: You can purchase gel wax at most craft stores. Look in the candle aisle.
• Zink Core Wicks: Another item that can be found in the candle aisle of almost all craft stores. You can get pre-cut or you can cut it to the length that you would like.
• Rubbing Alcohol: You only need this for prep work.
• Double Boiler: This can be a double boiler that you purchase for the special reason of candle making or it can be a pot filled with about 2 or 3 inches of water with a coffee can placed in the center of it.
• Pencil: This is for keeping the wick from slipping into the hot wax.
• Optional: Decorations for the glass and dye for the candles
• Blow-dryer

Directions:

1. Before you begin making the candles, it is important to wash the glasses thoroughly. Use rubbing alcohol to remove all the grease and fingerprints that can be found on wine glasses.
2. A great rule of thumb is to fill a glass with water to determine the depth you would like the candle to be. You can pour the water into a measuring cup to determine how much wax you will need or you can simply eyeball it.
3. Make sure all the glasses are dry before you pour the wax into them.
4. Cut the wicks to the determined height and tie one end to the pencil before placing the pencil across the wine glass with the wick hanging down the center of the glass.
5. Place the double boiler on the stove and heat the candle wax on medium-low temperatures. If you are using dye with the candle wax, add it now and stir it in completely.
6. When the wax is melted, remove from the heat. It is safer to use a thermometer and heat the wax to the temperature indicated on the package.
7. Remove from heat and pour into the wine glass. It is best to run it down the one side of the glass to avoid bubbles but pouring it slowly can also have the same effect.
8. Allow the candles to cool and solidify before removing the pencil and trimming the wick to about ¼ inch above the gel.
9. To remove excess wax from the sides of the glass and to create a smooth top to the candle, simply use a hairdryer to melt the excess wax. Wipe clean with a moist cloth.

Now all you need to do is decorate and then enjoy the beauty of your own handmade gel candle.

Homemade wine glass gel candle

-Sirena Van Schaik