Are you one of the many people that enjoy the soothing effects that a candle brings to a room?  Then you will probably love gel candles.  Candles are normally made out of waxes that include paraffin, beeswax, palm, soy and others that are opaque.  Gel candles are made with a mixture of 95% mineral oil and 5% polymer resin and bring transparency to an already delightful addition to any room.  They can be scented, colored and embedded with small objects and believe it or not, you can make your own personalized gel candles.  

Everything you need to make your own gel candles is available locally from craft shops or from online candle making suppliers.  It is important to specify gel candles when selecting supplies and equipment because the process is different from wax based candles.

Here are the materials needed to make gel candles:

1.  Gel ( Penreco's Versagel™ is a very popular brand).
2.  Zinc wicks (cotton wicks are not suitable for gel candles).
3.  Scenting agents (this is optional, BrighterScents.com is a great source)
4.  Coloring (liquids are the best).
5.  Embeds (interesting non-flammable objects to suspend in the candle).

And here is the necessary equipment:

!.  Gel wax heater (can be a stainless steel pot of a specifically designed electric gel                                     wax heater).
2.  Stainless steel stirrer.
3.  Metal tongs to insert embeds.
4.  Containers (preferably clear glass).

After the supplies and equipment are assembled you are ready to make your own gel candles utilizing the following easy steps:

1.  Like installing the electrical wiring in a new house before the drywall goes in the wick must be attached to the bottom of the container first.  Hot gluing is a good way to secure the wick in the proper position at the center of the bottom of the container.

2.  Melt the gel in your fancy electric gel wax heater or a stainless steel pot over medium heat, whichever you prefer.  To get an even melt quicker divide the gel into small pieces prior to putting it into the heating device.

3.  Use your good thermometer to monitor the gel temperature and do not let it exceed 200 degrees.  Higher temperatures will cause the gel to become less clear and this ruins one of the most appealing features of gel candles.

4.  Hold the temperature at 200 degrees until all the wax melts and it gains a consistency similar to cane syrup.

5.  Very sparingly add color.  Liquid colors are recommended and they should be added a drop at the time with a tooth pick.  Keep adding the dye until the desired shade appears and remember that a little color goes a long way with gel candles.

6.  Add the scenting agent as recommended by the supplier.

7.  To aid in the reduction of bubbles it is a good idea to heat the container to 150 degrees just prior to putting the hot gel into the container.

8.  Now is the time for embeds if you are going to enhance your gel candles with such items as marbles, pearls, polished stones, sea shells, glitter, sand or crystals.  The idea is to place them near the edge of the container so they can be seen easier.  This is accomplished by dipping them first in the hot gel with metal tongs and them sticking them to the sides of the container.  Things such as glitter or sand could be mixed directly into the hot gel.

9.  Next is the excitement of loading the container with the hot gel (be careful, the gel is hot and flammable).  Add the hot gel slowly down the side of the container to eliminate bubbles.  If you are new to this you may not be able to avoid bubbles forming but that will go away with practice.

10.  When the requisite amount of gel is added to the container pull up the wick and secure it in the center of the hot mix by rolling it up on a pencil.  After the candle cools at its own pace (no artificial cooling) the excess wick can be trimmed and the beautiful gel candle can be enjoyed by all.

Peggy Devereaux is an expert candle maker.  For more great information about how to make gel candles, visit http://www.candlemakeranswers.com
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