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Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Candlecraft

It's really not too hard to make your own candles, and it can be a great craft project for the whole family! By now, you've learned enough about the science of candles to know that you need special kinds of wax (paraffin or beeswax) and wick (it's more than just a piece of string), but these supplies are available online or at arts and crafts stores. You can color your candles with crayons, or even make them smell nice by adding different scents.

There are a few safety concerns, however. First of all, you must use a double boiler if you are melting the wax on a stove because the wax can easily catch fire it you heat it directly. Secondly, hot wax can damage surfaces, so be sure to cover your work area with newspaper or some other type of protection.

Here are some websites that will give you more detailed instructions for making your own candles:

How to Make Candles
Basic Candle-Making Instructions
Candle Tech
How to Make Ice Candles

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