The Ancient Art of Candle Making Has Come A Long Way
Are you new to candle making? I’ve created a page with some of my favorite candle making resources. You are in the right place! Use these simple-to-follow candle making tips, recipes, and tutorials to easily learn how to make your first batch of homemade, scented candles. Enjoy!
Candle making is a relatively simple craft that’s been around for several centuries. In the early 19th century, candle makers began using wax or tallow to create a flame in a glass jar. The tallow would then harden to form into candle-like shapes. This process became known as candle making.
Candle makers would then experiment by adding other waxes and oils to change the color and scent of the candle wicks. At first, they simply used honey, but soon other oils were added such as sweet almond, grape seed and floral fragrances. With improvements in manufacturing processes, candle makers were able to start mass producing candles without having to create the waxes, which resulted in cheaper candles and less waste. This also explains why the 19th century saw the inception of mass-produced candles, as there was enough demand for candle-making supplies.
Today, candle making uses a variety of different waxes, oils, dyes and other additives. Some of the more popular ingredients today include soy wax, beeswax and paraffin. Soy wax is derived from soy beans. Beeswax comes from beeswax glands found in Australia and New Zealand. Paraffin is derived from petroleum products such as gasoline and heating oil.
When it comes to waxes and oils, beeswax and paraffin are the most commonly used. In candle making, however, there are three main types of waxes available. One type is clear; two varieties are colored and one type is yellow. Candles made with clear wax or tallow are more often called pillar candles. Pillar candles are taller and heavier than other candles and are typically only lit for decorative purposes.
The third main type of wax used in candle making is yellow wax. Yellow wax candles are available in various shapes and sizes and have a very natural scent. Candle makers boil water and then cool it in a pot, Temper it in a kiln until it reaches the liquid state known as suspension.
Once suspended, the heated wax is poured into cone-shaped candle holders. The candle making tools include a funnel for pouring the wax into the cone-shaped holders, a flame torch for igniting the candle making materials and a fire wire to control the flow of the hot wax. Once all the ingredients have been placed inside the cone-shaped holder, they are lit and allowed to burn as normal candles do. Because these candles use a natural fragrance to burn, their scents are carried through the fumes and linger in the air long after the candles burn out.
The first candles were created using tallow and a wick made from animal fat and animal hair. Since then, candles have evolved to become decorative items, used in homes and ceremonies, and made using various synthetic materials. Candle making materials continue to improve and develop and new candle making supplies are constantly being sought by candle makers. However, candles can never be exactly duplicated since no two candle molds are ever exactly the same. Therefore, candles are truly a work of art and each candle is an individual creation.
Temple Candles is an example of antique candle making and one of the most highly sought after candles in the world. Originating in ancient Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq), temple candles are tall, rectangular containers holding a wick in the centre and a number of candles around it. These candles were used to provide light in dark places and are made from a mix of tallow, beeswax and liquid paraffin.
Whaling Industry Candles did not originally come into being as a candle making supply. In fact, candles were first made for the whaling industry. It was a method used to light the ships as they travelled along the seas. As boats continued to form the main means of transport for people in those days, candles gradually replaced the torches as a source of light and fuel. As a result, whaling industry workers were relieved of the chore of having to keep their candles constantly lit in order to provide light at night.
Candle Making has evolved greatly over time and now is a very specialized art, unlike the candle-making basics that we are all familiar with. The scented candles, shaped as a heart or other similar shape, can be purchased from most any good candle making shop. The most important part of the candle is the wick, which is the fuel that burns within the candle. The candle-making basic, however, remains the same: a mix of wax, paraffin and some sort of liquid oil or fuel, such as soybean oil, and a wick.
Welcome to my candle making blog! In this blog, I will be sharing my tips and tricks for making candles. I will also be sharing some of my favorite recipes.
