Decorating candles with your own hands- This is certainly a creative process that brings a lot of pleasure to both children and adults. The main thing is to know the basic principles of decoration.
One of the simplest and most accessible methods of decorating candles is to decorate them using ordinary three-layer napkins. These napkins are sold in almost any supermarket. You can choose a design that best suits the upcoming holiday. For example, for the New Year You can choose napkins with Christmas trees, Santa Claus or snowflakes. You will also need white candles. You can buy flowers, from which you can take leaves, petals, parts of twigs, so that the decor is even more unusual and original. But candles decorated with fresh flowers will not last long, only for one holiday. But they look absolutely amazing.
Cut strips with ornaments or individual figures from napkins. It can be any images, flowers, animal figures.
White candles are best suited for decoration, because they will be practically invisible on colored napkins. Now you will need to do a fitting by placing the candles on the side surfaces of the candles. If you are satisfied with everything, let's get to work.
Light a small candle prepared in advance and heat a teaspoon on it. You need to warm it up with inside. This will allow you to keep the back clean for melting the main candle. First, remove the decorative parts from the napkins from the lower layers, leaving only the layer with the pattern.
Now place your blanks on the side of the candle and iron the top several times with the back of a hot spoon. The wax will melt and the paper elements will stick tightly to the candle.
Another way to decorate is to decorate candles with beads or stones. For this you can also use a hot spoon heated on an additional small candle. Using a spoon, melt the wax on a large candle. In this case, the candles can be of any color. We gradually apply the beads to the heated surface, trying to drown them in the melted wax. Candles can be used different forms and sizes.
Here's a great way to decorate with candles. festive table . To do this, you can take small candles and place them on the stand of glasses turned upside down. You can put green leaves, flowers, or spruce branches inside the glasses. It all depends on the holiday that is to be celebrated.
Wedding is very an important event in the life of every person, therefore, when organizing this celebration, it is necessary to pay attention to all the details. Play a special role wedding candles. As a rule, this accessory is considered not just a decoration, but also a featured part in many rituals.
Some newlyweds prefer to make their own wedding candles. Guests can also do this and then present the candles as a gift. Candles made by the mother of the bride or groom will be very symbolic. You can also create a whole wedding set by decorating candles, a bottle of champagne, and wedding glasses in the same style.
Candles, as mentioned above, are used in several wedding ceremonies. First of all, this is a wedding. After the wedding, the newlyweds must keep the candles for life as a symbol of the strength of their common union. Pay attention to their design; it is advisable that it be quite modest.
Wedding candles are used not only during weddings, but also during the lighting ceremony family hearth. It is believed that the richer the decoration, the more prosperous the established family will be. The newlyweds should have one thin candle, as well as a common thick candle, symbolizing the family hearth.
Candle Making Basics
At the moment, there are two ways to make candles for a wedding with your own hands. The first option is the simplest and most accessible. For this, you need to purchase a ready-made candle and start decorating it. The design may include various decorative elements, but remember that they all must be fire-safe. It is worth noting that if you prefer this method, consider the fact that you will have to be limited to the shapes and sizes that stores offer their customers.
The second option is more complex, because it involves making candles with your own hands. They can be made using special wax or candle mass. If you use a finished candle as a filler, be sure to chop it into small pieces with a knife before melting. This promotes faster melting.
You can make a candle more attractive by giving it some color. As a rule, in in this case Use either food coloring or crumbs from any wax crayons. However, the candle should not only be attractive, but also fragrant. To do this, pour a little into the filler aromatic oil.
If you don't have the opportunity to purchase a wick, you can take one from a ready-made candle. Some people use cotton thread, but it needs to be well waxed in advance. A weight is attached to one side of the wick, and on the other it is tied to some kind of limiter. This design is installed directly in the middle of the mold.
Now there is a huge number various forms for candles.
But it’s best to pay attention to the standard - the classic cylinder. Such candles are good because they will fit into any interior.
Before pouring molten wax, the mold must be thoroughly greased vegetable oil. Beads, stones, seed beads, and rhinestones are pre-attached to the sides of the mold. The bottom can be covered with beautiful small shells or sparkles. Immediately before pouring paraffin, the mold is heated.
The candle must cool in the mold for a certain time. You don't need to create this special conditions, it is enough to hold it at room temperature. To later extract ready product out of the mold, you must carefully pull it by the wick. If you are afraid of breaking the thread, first heat the mold by lowering it into hot water. After this, you will take out the candle without any effort. But making your own wedding candles doesn’t end there.
How to decorate wedding candles
Decorating wedding candles is the most interesting stage. For decoration, you can use a wide variety of materials: lace, chains, cold porcelain, ribbons, polymer clay, glass beads, wrapping paper, fabric, cereals, coffee beans and much more.
The most common ways to decorate wedding candles include decoupage, sculpting and painting. Most often, love is used as the main theme in production, so the candle is decorated with various hearts, images of wedding rings and doves.
In order to attach a decorative element to a product, you need to have glue and thin needles on hand. Experts recommend covering the candle with special stained glass paint in advance. This helps ensure that all elements adhere better to the surface.
You shouldn’t spontaneously decorate a candle, because it’s very important element at the wedding. You need to think through everything carefully in advance and create a sketch of your work. Do not forget that candles are made for newlyweds and the opinions of both of them must be taken into account. Only in this case can you get real and genuine joy.
Carved candles
Carved candles are created using technology known since the 16th century. A carved candle is a work of art, even if it is not lit. And if it is on, it fills the room with a soft and pleasant light.
Manufacturing technique carved candles quite complex, but extremely exciting.
The first step is to dip the finished paraffin candle into liquid colored paraffin. During a dive, the temperature of the liquid paraffin must be constantly monitored. If the paraffin is not hot enough, it will harden too quickly and it will be difficult to cut anything out of it.
The second step is the candle thread itself. This is the most creative and exciting part - turning the artist's imagination into reality. Required for carving special tools. The artist must think in advance what the future candle will be like. His movements must be fast and precise, because only a quarter of an hour is allotted for this stage (the paraffin cools and hardens quite quickly).
Third and last step- dip carved candles into a special acrylic lacquer to give the candle extra shine and protect it from damage and dust.
Candles decorated with flowers
This style of candle decoration is ideal for vintage weddings. vintage style or shabby chic style. All candles are decorated in soft pink tones. A pair of thin candles is decorated with rhinestone threads that are glued on top satin ribbons. Big candle, symbolizing home, decorated with a beautiful pale pink flower and a belt made of rhinestone thread.
Candles with similar decoration technology:
This candle is wrapped in a thin lace belt and decorated with rhinestone brooches, fabric flowers and light feathers. These elegant jewelry selected with taste, in one color scheme, in general, candle decor is the simplest.
Color of candles according to zodiac signs
If you are one of the people who believe in zodiac signs, then you can choose a wedding candle or its decoration in the color that best suits your sign and the sign of your partner.
Capricorn- black or brown candle
Aquarius- violet or purple candle
Fish- white candle
Aries- red candle
Taurus- pink candle
Twins
Cancer- gray or silver candle
a lion- gold candle
Virgo- green candle
Scales- blue candle
Scorpion- dark red or burgundy candle
Sagittarius- orange or yellow candle
As you can see, making wedding candles with your own hands is quite difficult, but this process allows you to think about the importance and integrity of the family union. Keep your candle and always remember that it is necessary to preserve family warmth and comfort.
To organize a beautiful and interesting wedding, you need to pay attention to even minor details. Wedding candles play a special role at a wedding. This decorative item is considered not only decoration, but also important detail in many wedding ceremonies.
Some newlyweds prefer to make candles for their wedding with their own hands. Guests can also make candles and then give them as a gift. Candles created by the mother of the bride or groom will be very symbolic. By the way, if you wish, you can make whole set for a wedding: wedding candles, bottles of champagne and can be decorated in the same style.
What wedding rituals use candles?
As noted above, this is used in some wedding ceremonies. And first of all, this is, of course, a wedding. According to tradition, after the wedding, the candles remain with the newlyweds. You need to keep them all your life, because it is believed that wedding candles are a symbol of the strength of the marriage union. The decoration of wedding candles should be quite modest.
Wedding candles are also used during the ceremony of lighting the family hearth. Candles for the family hearth should be decorated as elegantly as possible. After all, it is believed that the richer the design, the more prosperous it will be new family. The newlyweds should have one common thick candle, which symbolizes the family hearth, and one thin candle separately for the bride and groom.
How to make wedding candles with your own hands?
Currently, candles for weddings can be made in two ways.
Method 1. Ready-made candle + DIY decor
This option for making wedding candles is the simplest and most affordable. You need to buy a ready-made candle and design it yourself. The candle can be decorated with various decorative elements to your taste, but remember, all decorative items should not be flammable, they should be completely fire-safe.
Method 2. Making and decorating candles by hand.
This method of making candles for a wedding is more complicated, as it involves making the candle itself with your own hands and then decorating them.
A candle can be made using candle mass or special wax. But you can buy ordinary white candles, melt them, giving them a shape to your liking. To make the candle melt faster, chop it finely with a knife.
- Colored candles. If you want to make colored candles, for example, a pale pink or light candle blue color, then add a little to the prepared candle crumbs food coloring, or grind wax crayons.
- Aroma. To make the candle have a pleasant aroma, add a little aromatic oil to the raw material.
- Wick. You can buy a wick in a store, or you can use it from candles that have been melted down. Cotton thread is also suitable, but it should first be thoroughly soaked in wax. On one side, attach a weight to the wick, and on the other, tie it to the stopper and install this small structure in the middle of the mold.
- Molds for candles. Nowadays there are a lot of different shapes for candles in stores.
But the best thing to buy is a classic cylinder. This shape will fit into any wedding decor.
You can also make a candle mold with your own hands. To do this, take a suitable plastic bottle. In this case, a ketchup bottle is used. Cut off the neck and bottom of the bottle. Then make 8 cuts at the top of the workpiece at equal intervals. Mark triangles on each square. Cut along the marked lines. Now connect the resulting teeth, insert a wick between these teeth and seal with tape.
Before pouring the wax, the mold must be thoroughly greased with vegetable oil. Decorative elements can be pre-attached to the sides of the mold. If you like, cover the bottom of the mold with pretty glitter or shells.
Pour paraffin into the mold, after melting it in a water bath.
Now let the wax harden completely. In order for the candle to cool completely, it is enough for it to be at room temperature.
The end result is a candle like this.
DIY wedding candle decoration
You can decorate wedding candles using various materials: rhinestones, bugles, beads, lace, ribbons, polymer clay, chains, porcelain, decorative paper and much more.
The most common way to decorate wedding candles is decoupage, modeling and painting. The main theme is love, so they decorate the candle with hearts, cupids, drawings with wedding rings and pigeons.
Decorative items are attached to the product using glue.
Carved candles
A carved candle is a real work of art. The technique of making carved candles is complex. But very exciting.
1st step: The finished paraffin candle needs to be dipped into liquid colored wax. During the immersion process, it is important to constantly monitor the temperature of the liquid wax. If the wax is not at sufficient temperature, it will become hard quickly enough and it will not be easy to cut a pattern out of it.
2nd step: The candle carving process is perhaps the most interesting part. Carving requires special tools. The master must think through the idea of the future candle in advance. It must act quickly and accurately, since only 20 minutes are allotted for this stage, because paraffin hardens very quickly.
3rd step: To give the candle a beautiful shine and protect it from dust, the candle is placed in a special acrylic varnish.
Candle decor with flowers
This candle decor option is ideal for shabby chic or vintage style weddings. All candles are decorated in soft pastel colors.
Candles can be decorated with rhinestone threads that are glued on top of satin ribbons. A candle symbolizing the hearth can be decorated with a large soft pink flower and a ribbon made of rhinestone thread.
Read more:
As you can see, it is not easy to make some wedding candles with your own hands, but this process makes us think about the importance and integrity of the marriage union. Keep your wedding candles for the rest of your life and always remember how important it is to preserve family warmth and comfort for many happy years.
How to decorate a room for the New Year? After all, we are talking not just about a standard celebration, but about a holiday during which miracles come true. And the atmosphere surrounding you and your guests on New Year's Eve should also be mysterious and enigmatic.
In order to provide such an atmosphere, it is enough place candles around the entire perimeter of the room: place them on the festive table, bookshelves, coffee tables, windowsill. With the lights off, combined with bright garlands on the New Year tree, this method of lighting will help emphasize the specialness of the holiday.
Nowadays you can find it in almost every store. a large number of various decorative candles. A large assortment allows you to choose the most suitable color or form. But, you must agree that the process of making holiday candles with your own hands will bring you much more fun than a banal shopping trip.
Moreover, such a solution would save a considerable amount of money, because on the eve New Year's holidays price decorative ornaments and holiday toys is rising sharply. Therefore, we invite you to familiarize yourself with interesting and quite in simple ways making New Year's candles with your own hands.
Making holiday candles from wax
How to make beautiful wax decorative candles with your own hands? Candles made from regular wax, are the most common. It won't be difficult for you to find required amount wax (for this you can buy ready-made ordinary candles). After the source material has been prepared, you need to think about what shape your candles will take.
In advance prepare special molds of various sizes. For the base for a future candle you can use:
- geometric molds made made of cardboard(it can be rolled into a cone or cylinder);
- matchboxes or other similar items;
- glasses or small cups;
- molds of unusual shapes made made of plaster;
- non-standard options: nut shells, bottle caps, eggshells , citrus halves etc.
If you decide to make candles that have unusual thematic form(for example, a snowman or Santa Claus), first you need to correctly prepare the future base for the candle. The easiest way - use of ready-made figurines small sizes . They are coated with Vaseline and silicone, dried and filled with plaster.
After drying, the resulting structure must be Carefully divide into two halves and remove the inside. As a result, you will get an original candle mold, and the materials used for this starting materials won't lose theirs appearance.
Once the base for the future candle is ready, you can start using wax. Prepare the wick, place it in the central part of the mold and begin pouring the wax.
Once the wax has cooled and become hard, you can begin the process. decorating candles. For example, you can use beads, beads or coffee beans. Enough wet them under hot water and press it into the candle: under the influence of high temperature, the wax will calmly let them in.
Advice: when making candles you can add a small amount of flavoring In this case, the candle will delight you not only with its appearance, but also with a pleasant smell.
Gel candles: manufacturing features
If you want to make the candle transparent, use special gel wax. You can use it as per the previous instructions, but it is typically used to make candles that have a different appearance. You've probably noticed in stores how unusual candles look, placed in transparent cups or transparent plastic bases. This candle is very easy to make at home.
For the manufacture of transparent candles you will need the following materials:
- gel wax;
- wick;
- transparent base for candles (cups, glasses or other items);
- decorative ornaments(beads, sparkles, shells, dyes, etc.).
The procedure for creating such candles also begins with the process heating wax. This is done over low heat or in the microwave. If you decide to put wax on fire, do not forget stir it constantly, otherwise there is a risk that your candle will have small lumps.
Advice: If you want the future candle to have a colored tint, pour pre-prepared dyes into the melted wax.
When the wax is ready, take a glass, insert a wick into it (hold it with your hands or fix it for a while) - and start pour melted gel. If you wish inside transparent candle were small figurines, pour a little wax to the bottom, then place the figures - and only after this procedure pour in the remaining wax.
As a rule, this the candle will take about one or two days to dry(this depends on the temperature and humidity of the room). After the candle has hardened, you can finish it decoration.
Ways to decorate candles
When the candle is ready, all that remains is to decide main question- How decorate it beautifully and originally? There are a large number of ways to decorate handmade candles. By the way, you can start decorating already during the manufacturing process: at intermediate stages you can decorate it from the inside(this has already been discussed above) or use several shades to make the candle multi-colored.
You can decorate a candle, carving original patterns on its surface. Candles of this shape will probably not be found in stores, so you can be sure that you will surprise your guests. But remember that this kind of work requires great care, and for the result to be beautiful, draw the intended pattern on a piece of paper in advance. You can make cuts in the outer walls of the candle using ready-made stencils.
To decorate the outside of the candle you can use paints, bright sparkles, beads of different shapes and sizes. If you find interesting New Year's pictures, you can also use them to decorate a candle. This process is called technique "decoupage". Decoupage of candles with your own hands for the New Year is another way to decorate a festive table, a room where guests and household members will gather on New Year's Eve to celebrate the onset of the holiday.
This technique requires thin pictures, so New Year's napkins are most often used.
Peel off a thin layer of the pattern and wrap it around the candle. Be sure to smooth the surface thoroughly so that there are no uneven spots or air bubbles. Then take a hairdryer, and start blow hot air onto the candle. Thanks to high temperature the wax will melt a little and provide gluing the design to the surface.
The candle will look more elegant if wrap it in foil or bright ribbons. Can be attached to the bottom base small bow or decorate it with berries and branches from the Christmas tree. Also great for decorating candles. coffee beans.
if you have bright nail polish- use that too. In advance prepare small stencils in the form of snowflakes, stars and other designs, attach candles to the surface - and start painting with varnish.
By the way, You can place several wicks on one candle at once, if it is of sufficient size. Thanks to this method of decoration, the candle will seem more original.
Make it wonderful New Year's gift and making a candle using the decoupage technique with your own hands is very easy - watch the master class in video format, how having a nondescript blank, a candle acquires decorative value in just 15 minutes:
Don't forget that candles must be placed on special surface , as they will gradually melt. You can buy ready-made candlesticks or make them from improvised materials. Any materials are suitable for this: from paper to glass.
The main thing in this process is to show maximum imagination and decorate such stands in an original way. This can be done with the help of rain, tinsel, fir branches, toys, tangerines, pine cones and many other elements.
Bright DIY New Year's candles, made by you on the eve of the New Year 2019, will be an excellent addition to any New Year's interior. They will serve you for many years and are great. suitable as a gift for your friends.
You can even involve your children in the process of making them, but do not forget to make sure that they do not get burned. It is better to entrust them with decorating ready-made candles or candlesticks. We hope that our simple tips will push you to new ideas.
Learn how to make candles with your own hands without high costs and have fun.
The interest today is more common among women, but making this device is a manly skill that can be traced over many years. Especially in medieval times trading them was vital to kingdoms and villages because light was a necessity.
Today, when candles are not carried practical value, they can add an atmosphere of comfort, coziness, and romance to any room. They have a very meditative, relaxing effect and can be thought-provoking. Their main drawback is their relatively high cost. What does it take to do it yourself?
Materials: what is needed for manufacturing
The process will not take you more than two hours, but the resulting products will complement your home or work interior and will become a good gift for loved ones.
Wax
This is the heart of a candle, of which there are three main types.
Paraffin. Traditional, used for hundreds of years to make a torch. Now it continues to be the most common among all species. It's cheap and you can easily add color and scent to it. The main problem with paraffin remains its potentially toxic nature. Paraffin is a by-product of petroleum, which automatically gives it a bad rating for most consumers. If natural products are your credo, it is best to look for an alternative option.
- Soybeans. New to the market, it is becoming an increasingly popular main ingredient. Soy was created in the 90s, when the natural food movement was actively gaining momentum. It is usually made from soybean oil, but is sometimes mixed with paraffin and other waxes (palm, beeswax, etc.) It also easily takes on colors and scents.
- Beeswax. Oldest crafting ingredient; candles from beeswax were found in the great pyramids of Egypt. As the name suggests, it is produced by bees and is a by-product of the honey process. Because of this, it has a natural golden color and a subtle sweet aroma. This is a completely natural product, but you won't be able to add other flavors to it. Natural smell will overpower other flavors. Bee is also the most expensive option.
Most types sold in stores come in granule form. This makes the job easier as the granules melt faster. If you bought a block, use sharp knife to cut it into small pieces.
Wick
The wrong wick can ruin your homemade candle. the main problem- this is the size, or more precisely the width. For container ones, which will be discussed, you need a wide wick. The length of the wick is not important - you can trim it.
Aroma oils
Without the smell, your wax just burns. It looks nice, but doesn't create the subtle scent that candles are used for. There are thousands of scents to choose from - just search online. you can use essential oils, but with them the final product will not be as good. Men should choose from such "masculine" scents as a mixture of clove, amber and sandalwood, apple and maple bourbon, blue spruce, butter rum, coffee, whiskey.
Melting utensils
A saucepan with a double bottom will do the job best. Melting directly over the flame in a regular pan will be too strong, so use a double boiler.
Form
Coffee mugs, glassware, jars - anything that can withstand heat is used as a container. With a lid, they can be transported, sent, so you can easily give them to your loved ones.
Accessories: thermometer, spatula, old pen
Having a thermometer on hand allows you to quickly take your temperature. When you buy wax, especially the kind that is used for making, it will have instructions on it as to what temperature the fragrance oil is added to, when to pour into the container, etc. Use a spatula or spoon to loosen it and dissolve large chunks. Later you will find out why old pens/pencils are good helpers for homemade candles.
Workflow: how to do it?
Prepare your work area
Working with wax is quite a dirty business. It melts, drops can get everywhere, you won't even know it until it dries. Lay down a newspaper or paper towels around work area. Use them to set the thermometer, spatula - be careful, they will probably stick a little. Luckily, the wax isn't that difficult to clean; you can simply scrape it off with your fingernail. Prepare your molds and wicks.
Melt the wax
Using a double-bottomed saucepan or water bath, melt the wax. Place about 200-300 grams, watch it melt by breaking it into pieces with a spatula and stirring it. It melts in about 10-15 minutes. Remember to monitor the temperature - you want it to be between 70 - 75 degrees. If the temperature starts to rise, remove it from the heat.
Secure the wick
While it is melting, attach the wick to the container. The rare wicks have a small sticker embedded on the bottom, but the main part does not. Super glue is one option, but you can use an old candle trick: dip a metal wick tongue into melted wax, then quickly attach it to the bottom center of the container. After a couple of minutes, when it hardens, the wick will be fixed to the bottom.
Add aromatic oils, stir
When completely melted, add desired fragrance oils. Each type is different and requires different quantities per 1 kilogram, so follow the instructions on the package. Taking a block that is suitable for different purposes, remember the following proportion: 60 grams of oil per kilogram of wax. Pour it into the pan, stirring for one minute to ensure even distribution.
Add color if desired
This is an optional step. Your candles will come out a natural milky white, but you can add a little color by using a non-toxic colored pencil or block. For example, you can add half a millimeter of red pencil to 500 grams of wax to get a soft pastel shade. Want to bright color? Use more pencil.
The color will be much brighter in the melted mixture, but will turn milky as it cools.
Let the mixture cool
After adding the aromatic oil, turn off the heat and let cool for a couple of minutes. Optimal temperature for pouring into a container is about 55-60 degrees. This won't take long - just a few minutes - so pay attention to your thermometer. Once it is properly cooled, pour it into the container. Hold the wick so that it remains centered, without over-tightening it. We recommend leaving some in the pan - you will need it at the end.
The secret to attaching the wick
The wick, attached to the bottom, may initially wobble a little in the liquid wax. You definitely want it to stay level and centered while everything cures. Simply place the handle on top of the mold, tie a wick to it, and leave to set for a few hours.
As the candle cools, you will notice a slight dip in the wick. The wax will also come away from the edges of the jar. Reheat the remaining mixture in the pan and fill the holes that appear.
Trim the wick
You will probably have a few extra inches of wick sticking out. A wick that is too long will burn too big. bright flame. Light it and check it: if the flame is more than 2.5 centimeters, cut the thread.
Admire your own handcrafted candles
Cool candles at room temperature to avoid cracking.
