I'm a starving college student and I love crafts and want to start making candles, but I don't want to purchase molds. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what to use instead?
By Jennie from Tempe, AZ
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First, you can use almost anything as a mold. Second, you insert the wick first, then pour your wax in. If you are using a can, a small hole in the bottom, your wick can go thru, take the rest of the wick, twist around a pencil or dowel & lay across the top; pour in wax. I suggest you get a book on making candles from a local craft store. Its easy & fun. You can also use the Glade glass candles, save them & clean them as they are reusable.
That's a container, not a mold. Those are 2 very different things in the candle making world
We use milk cartons, anything with the waxy inside will work. Half and half containers, fancy coffee creamer containers etc.
Good Luck,
Gem
You can get going real quick and save a lot of money by asking friends and relatives, neighbors, etc. etc. to save the stubs, bits and pieces from all the candles they are ready to toss out. [ save them in a small box for me please!].
And you're done.
I don't use molds. I collect pretty teacups, coffee mugs of different themes, gravy boats, etc. from garage sales. Usually no more than a quarter. I buy old damaged candles or even unused taper candles from garage sales also, free recycled wicks included. I sort by color. I melt the candles in a old crock pot (garage sale item ) that I line with a crock pot bag. Save the bags, they can be used over and over. I only change for different colors. Works great! Great gift and people love them.
We have used orange juice cartons or milk cartons, 1 quart, 2 quart, pints, and 1/2 pints. Once the candle has set simply peel or tear the carton away. We have also first filled the carton with ice and then poured the hot wax over the ice in the carton.
When I made candles I used empty Pringles cans, after making sure they were wiped out. When the candle was set and the can peeled off, I melted a different colored wax and used a toothpick dipped in the wax, to make a design over the seams that were left from the Pringles can or tube, whatever you want to call it.
I was going to suggest the Pringles cans as well. To insert the wick just use the lid and tie the wick to the top and have it long enough to go to the bottom of the can.
Dollar Tree stores are now carrying silicone molds. Also you can look for molds at garage sales and/or thrifts stores. You can make them out of muffin tins and let your imagination fly.
I'd prefer round candles, also what do y'all use for the wax pourer because I really don't feel like spending money to buy the ones craft stores sell.
You can buy wax flakes or wax pellets on ebay very cheap. A good substitute for wax is Crisco. You still can use crayons for coloring and various essential oils for fragrance. The only draw back is that it needs to be in a container (glass jar, tea cup, can, etc).
A very easy trick to use to get your wick to the bottom of a tall candle mold is this; Take a wick and cut it to the length you need + 2 inches. Place the wick tab (or a button) on one end of the wick and secure it. Then take the other end of the wick and insert it into a straw (you may need to cut the straw down if it is too long). Put a small drop of glue from a glue gun (or a rolled up piece of tape) on the bottom of the tab (button) and then use the straw to pus the tab (button) and wick to the bottom of the mold. Then pull the straw off the wick and tie the loose end of the wick around the straw and rest it on the top of the mold to keep the wick straight
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