Candle making

THE CANDLEMAKING BOOK Create homemade candles in house-warming colors, interesting shapes, and appealing scents M.J Abadie Welcome to the EVERYTHING® series! These handy, accessible books give you all you need to tackle a di cult project, gain a new hobby, comprehend a fascinating topic, prepare for an exam, or even brush up on something you learned back in school but have since forgotten Important sound bytes of information You can read an EVERYTHING® book from cover-to-cover or just pick out the information you want from our four useful boxes: e-facts, e-ssentials, e-alerts, and equestions We literally give you everything you need to know on the subject, but throw in a lot of fun stuff along the way, too Quick handy tips We now have well over 100 EVERYTHING® books in print, spanning such wideranging topics as weddings, pregnancy, wine, learning guitar, one-pot cooking, managing people, and so much more When you’re done reading them all, you can finally say you know EVERYTHING® ! Urgent warnings Solutions to common problems The Everything Series Dear Reader, Although they have been around since the thirteenth century, candles are making a modern-day comeback Not only bring light to darkness, but they have the power to alter moods, add warmth to a room, or bring a sense of celebration to any occasion If you love candles, making them at home is a great way to have an ample supply on hand all the time without spending a fortune But in addition to the cost bene ts, home candlemaking is a fun and entertaining way to spend an afternoon, whether you’re by yourself or with friends All you need to get started are a few basic materials, some instructions, and a sense of creativity Making candles yourself also gives you the opportunity to be an artist, adding personal and unique touches to your creations In this book, I’ve shared some of my favorite candles to make, as well as some fascinating bits of history about the craft I hope that it will inspire you to create your own beautiful and unique candles Happy candlemaking! M.J Abadie EDITORIAL PRODUCTION Publishing Director: Gary M Krebs Production Director: Susan Beale Managing Editor: Kate McBride Production Manager: Michelle Roy Kelly Copy Chief: Laura MacLaughlin Series Designer: Daria Perreault Acquisitions Editor: Gary M Krebs Cover Design: Paul Beatrice and Frank Rivera Development Editor: Julie Gutin Layout and Graphics: Colleen Cunningham, Production Editor: Khrysti Nazzaro Rachael Eiben, Michelle Roy Kelly, Daria Perreault Copyright ©2002, F+W Media, Inc All rights reserved This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher; exceptions are made for brief excerpts used in published reviews An Everything® Series Book Everything® and everything.com® are registered trademarks of F+W Media, Inc Published by Adams Media, a division of F+W Media, Inc 57 Littlefield Street, Avon, MA 02322, U.S.A www.adamsmedia.com ISBN 13: 978-1-58062-623-1 ISBN 10: 1-58062-623-8 Printed in the United States of America 10 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Abadie, M.J (Marie-Jeanne) The Everything candlemaking book : set the perfect mood with homemade candles in housewarming colors, interesting shapes, and appealing scents / by M.J Abadie p cm — (Everything series) ISBN 1-58062-623-8 Candlemaking I Title II Series T1896.5 A23 2002 745.593’32—dc21 2001053951 This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought —From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations Cover illustrations by Barry Littmann Interior illustrations by Kathie Kelleher Interior photographs by Jagdish Agarwal, Dinodia Photo Library, www.dinodia.com This book is available at quantity discounts for bulk purchases For information, call 1-800-289-0963 Visit the entire Everything® series at everything.com Dedication To Jimmi Rushing in appreciation of her genuine and generous support and in memoriam to the Princess Mushkin January 3, 1987– November 3, 2000 Contents ACKNOWLEDGMENTS CHAPTER The History of Candlemaking Candle Renaissance The Earliest Traces of Candlelight Who Made the First Candle? The Development of Rushlights Nothing New under the Sun The Advent of Modern Candlemaking Candle Streetlights The First Candle Molds All the World’s a Stage Fire Without Matches Revolutionary Developments Illuminating Gas From Past to Present CHAPTER Candles in the New World The Colonial Period Burn That Fat Superior Spermaceti Pioneer Candlemaking Wick Development Introduction of Stearin Made in the U.S.A A Flip of the Switch A Modern Romance Candlemaking As a Natural Art CHAPTER Candlemaking As a Sacred Art Marvelous Mythology Candles in Christianity Jewish Candle Symbolism Let There Be Light Sacred Candlelight Making Candle Magic Everyday Rituals Candle-Gazing Meditation Ritual Candle Sets As Gifts Mind-Calming Visualization with Candles Healing with Candles CHAPTER Candles—All You Need to Know Candle Industry Facts Industry Directory Available The Lost Art of Burning Candles Properly How to Put Candles Out Correctly Storing Candles Basic Methods Candle Shapes The Significance of Candle Colors Keep a Notebook! CHAPTER How to Get Started Candle Terminology Wax 101 Minding Your Beeswax All about Paraffin Suppliers Recycle Your Wax Wicks Wick Priming Burn Rate How to Avoid the Draft Fire Retardant Is Better Candlemaking Equipment Miscellaneous Equipment Safety First A Clean Workplace Is a Safe Workplace The Do’s and Don’ts of Candlemaking What to Wear CHAPTER Handmade Rolled and Poured Candles Roll Your Own Making Your Own Wax Sheets Start Rolling! How to Make a Diagonal Rolled Candle Making a Square-Shaped Rolled Candle Homemade Birthday Candles May I Pour You a Candle? Advantages of Additives for Paraffin Wax Stirring the Pot Making Container Candles Selecting Containers How to Make a Container Candle Making a Candle of Many Colors CHAPTER Molded Candles Using Disposable Molds Molds, Molds, Molds Molding Terminology Molded Candle Basics The Molding Process Finishing the Candle Automatic Wicking Technical Assistance Online The Craft of Moldmaking Moldmaking Step by Step Two-Piece Moldmaking Making a Latex Mold: A Step-by-Step Guide ... of Candlemaking Candle Renaissance The Earliest Traces of Candlelight Who Made the First Candle? The Development of Rushlights Nothing New under the Sun The Advent of Modern Candlemaking Candle. .. Tapers Birthday Candles Making Wax Matches Making Glow-Through Candles Hand-Molded Candles Unusual Rolled Beeswax Candles Beaded Candles Surface Mottling Unusual Molds Unusual Candles Made with... Marvelous Mythology Candles in Christianity Jewish Candle Symbolism Let There Be Light Sacred Candlelight Making Candle Magic Everyday Rituals Candle- Gazing Meditation Ritual Candle Sets As Gifts