candle making

ifonlyitwaseasier

i tend to dig out enough space and then use tealights in the hole

shjo558

I used to make candles by cutting up all the old ones into chunks and popping them in a mold (empty yogurt pot would do it:D). Knot a wick round a cocktail stick and balance over the top of the pot - probably safer to stick down with tape. Then melt another candle in an old pan sitting inside a bigger old pan of water.

Once melted, carefully pour into the mold, leave overnight to harden and you will end up with a funky unique candle.

scotrae

I had some cheap fragranced Ikea candles in jars. when they burned down I scraped various ones into one pot, microwaved to melt the wax and then stuck a tealight in so that they had the wick from that.

The previous suggestion sounds good though. Where can I buy wicks?

ceridwen

I did read somewhere that its posible to use string as candle wicks - ie "proper" string - not that plastic-y stuff.

Dont know if this is correct - has anyone tried?

oystercatcher

I've been meaning to try string for wicks.

To avoid all the mess of melting down candle wax I have made 'new' candles by using an old grater on the old ends of candles and pouring the bits into one of those glass candle pots using an old birthday cake candle as a wick. Just push the gratings down firmly around the cake candle until they are level with the top of the wick. This then seems to burn at the rate of a normal candle. It doesn't look particularly posh but is very functional.

beautiful_ravens

I melted some wax on xmas eve to make a new candle - I keep broken mugs, so I used a couple of them as moulds this time, although you could save glass jars instead. I melted old candles in an old milk pan put straight in the fire, and suspended some normal string [MrT value] across the mug using a kebab stick.

Ive also tried the methods above, making chunks and grating wax, both are good.
Normal string can be a bit fat, and you keep having to trim it unless you like a giant flame!

beautiful_ravens

Just thought - They should make those big chunky candles with two wicks. Twice the light, and they should burn down better. I made a candle with two wicks, its great!

sunshine6650

This is great, ive been thinking about making some candles with left over bits, in some old teacups, ive seen them in shops & they are quite exspensive.

They will look real sweet going into the spring months, didnt know what wicks to use but looks like chunky string might be the way to go!!

knithryn

Ah a use for those random single floral teacups you see in charity shops for 25p... make nice Easter presents..
And then i started wondering :rolleyes: about eggcups with an eggshell filled with candle wax and a wick as an Easter present - the eggcup acting as a 'stabiliser' or candle holder until the candle has burned, then used as an eggcup afterwards.
Does anybody still use eggcups?
I'm going to be raiding the charity shops for eggcups and random teacups when they reopen!

sunshine6650

knithryn, thats a great idea!!! i love the teacup idea & think looks really dainty & pretty but the egg cup is great...so it looks like a real egg (if that makes sense!) fab little easter present!! x